Notice period to cancel Three monthly SIM only contract

sandanuk

This relates to the recent saga of Three phasing out the All-You-Can-Eat Data SIM only deals/contracts and forcing its existing customers to sign-up to there new more expensive plans.

I got the usual standard letter from Three as a notice to end my £25 per month plan and by default put me on a £30 per month plan, unless I opt one of their new published monthly plan, before my next billing date.

I was considering to shop around and possibly switch to a better deal and - got attracted to the thepeoplesoperator 6GB/unlimited calls/unlimited texts/ for £12.49 p/m deal, as my data usage trend has been 4-5GB p/m - but I was not sure if this was the best as I did not find their Europe/Roaming service/charges suitable.

When I called Three to enquire their options they told me they can only offer the new published SIM only plans, which I need to opt before my next billing date, else their £30 offer will be active from next billing..

To my surprise, when I asked my contract to be cancelled as I would like to go elsewhere, they said that I will have to give them another 1 month notice! As I understand, Three had initiated the cancellation of my existing monthly SIM plan/contract, by giving me 1 month notice; I should be able to leave Three within that notice period, rather than having to give them additional 1 month notice. Due to this I was forced to opt for their closest option from their new monthly SIM plans. I thought I will give them 1 month notice later when I am more clear on which other offer in the market is best for me

Legally I thought if one party to a legal contract wants to change the terms and gives the required notice; the other party does not have to give another notice for additional notice period, if the new terms are not acceptable and wants to terminate the contract.

Any legal interpretations please?

Thanks

grumbler

10.1 You may end this agreement in the following ways:
...
(d) Within one month of a materially detrimental variation to your agreement. You can end the agreement within one month of us telling you about a variation to your agreement (which includes your Package) which is likely (in our reasonable opinion) to be of material detriment to you. You must give notice to Three Customer Services within that month and your agreement will finish at the end of that month once we receive your notice. Subject to section 10.1(e) below a Cancellation Fee will not be charged.

Joined on or before 28 May 2015 pay monthly terms and conditions

System

Haven't they given you (at least) one month notice of the change in the letter?

corf999

(I seem to understand it differently to the OP - no idea which is correct legally)

They have given you 30 days notice for a change of service.

You are then required to reject the change of service and give them 30 days notice to end the contract.