Three's 321 PAYG plan seems to be over (for newly ordered SIMs)

Scarpage

It looks like Three introduced a "New Pay As You Go" plan on Monday 9 March. I can't post links yet but replace the the x's with t's: hxxps://www.three.co.uk/terms-conditions/price-guides

Instead of the flat 3p/minute, 2p/text, 1p/MB, the rates for a new SIM ordered recently are: 10p/minute, 10p/text, 5p/MB.

It seems Three are emphasising their new 1 month bundles ("Data Packs") for greater value: £10 for 10 GB data, £15 for 20 GB data, £20 for 40 GB data, and £30 for "unlimited" data, all with unlimited minutes/texts. These compare to the following 30-day bundles ("Add-ons") on the older 321 plan: £10 for 4 GB data, £15 for 10 GB data, £20 for 12 GB data, £27.50 for 36 GB data, £35 for 30 days' worth of "unlimited" data, and £90 for 90 days' worth of "unlimited" data, again all with unlimited minutes/texts. So it looks like better value for intermediate to high users (4 GB a month onwards), but worse for out-of-bundle use, e.g. by low users.

mwarby

Bit odd because smarty (a trading name of Three AFAIK) offer better bundle rates eg £10 gets 30gb the only benefits I can see with Three direct is VOLTE (super voice) and WiFi calling

Cisco001

What is your usage?

the next option would be 1p mobile with £10 every 120 days?

Scarpage

Well I'm on PlusNet mobile on a 1.5 GB/unlimited/unlimited plan for £5 and was looking to switch away due to a number of limitations (no voicemail from alternate line -- so I can't check it without incurring international roaming costs when travelling outside their "Roam Like At Home" area, no shortcode services -- so I can't opt out of marketing texts from certain companies) and 321 PAYG looked attractive. I do happen to have an active 321 PAYG SIM that I got a few years ago, but I'd like to retain that number rather than port my number in.

I think I'll end up going with the Lebara deal offering 2 GB/unlimited/unlimited for £5. Unlike Three, Lebara do allow tethering/hotspot, and unlike PlusNet Mobile support shortcode services and accessing voicemail through an alternate line.

I'm a pretty low user though (usually single digit call minutes in a month, maybe 10 texts if that, under 300 MB data a month) so 321 PAYG would have suited me perfectly, and been less expensive than even 1p Mobile. Anyway £5/month is something I can readily afford.

Frozen_up_north

It looks like existing "321" PAYG SIM users will still get 3p/min, for how much longer is not clear.

Three have gone the same way as O2 with their Classic. It was useful while it lasted.

tinker411

Frozen_up_north said:

It looks like existing "321" PAYG SIM users will still get 3p/min, for how much longer is not clear.

If you've got those rates you keep them, that's how Three have handled their previous PAYG tariff changes anyway, although for clarity the older Flat 12 tariff has gone up 1p per minute since it went.

Before everyone gets carried away though I should say, going by the mobile broadband price guide, 321 rates remain in place for the Three Data Reward sims. The Add-on range is different for them though, although if PAYG rates are a deal breaker then Add-ons probably aren't a priority.

zagubov

Scarpage said:

I think I'll end up going with the Lebara deal offering 2 GB/unlimited/unlimited for £5. Unlike Three, Lebara do allow tethering/hotspot, and unlike PlusNet Mobile support shortcode services and accessing voicemail through an alternate line.

I'm a pretty low user though (usually single digit call minutes in a month, maybe 10 texts if that, under 300 MB data a month) so 321 PAYG would have suited me perfectly, and been less expensive than even 1p Mobile. Anyway £5/month is something I can readily afford.

That Lebara deal looks like one of the best at that price point. Over 2 years ago I grabbed an iD deal for 2.25Gb 240 mins and 2500 texts for £5 and it was way way more than I ever use as I'm a very light user.
Couldn't find a better cheap contract and probably never will. This one's nearly as good.
If I knew anybody looking for a cheap light contract I'd point out how long the intervals are between these offers appearing.

Scarpage

tinker411 said:

Frozen_up_north said:

It looks like existing "321" PAYG SIM users will still get 3p/min, for how much longer is not clear.

If you've got those rates you keep them, that's how Three have handled their previous PAYG tariff changes anyway, although for clarity the older Flat 12 tariff has gone up 1p per minute since it went.

Before everyone gets carried away though I should say, going by the mobile broadband price guide, 321 rates remain in place for the Three Data Reward sims. The Add-on range is different for them though, although if PAYG rates are a deal breaker then Add-ons probably aren't a priority.

Ooh, I didn't know the Data Reward SIMs could be used for calls and texts in addition to data use. That's useful to know, thanks!

Halifax_sux

Sorry, it's a long time since i was at school - a VERY long time.

However, when i was at school paying for a £10 top-up every 120 days (with 1p Mobile) would have worked out cheaper than the £5 pm deals mentioned here.

Where's Pythagoras when you need him?

droopsnoot

Halifax_sux said:

Where's Pythagoras when you need him?

He's having a bit of a rest after a stressful lockdown:

EssexExile

Halifax_sux said:

Sorry, it's a long time since i was at school - a VERY long time.

However, when i was at school paying for a £10 top-up every 120 days (with 1p Mobile) would have worked out cheaper than the £5 pm deals mentioned here.

Where's Pythagoras when you need him?

It's also a very long time since that post you are replying to was made!