Tag Archives: 3

Don’t let 3 UK (Hutchinson 3G) be merged into Vodafone – please!

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3 to join Vodafone? I hope not…

I am outraged at this news story I’ve just read on the internet. It claims that Vodafone are looking to do a merger with 3 after Orange’s merger with T-Mobile has been approved with the EU.

If that happens, I will be the first person to leave 3! Vodafone suck – full stop.

The whole reason I went to 3 in the first place was because Vodafone and Orange had rubbish network coverage – especially in terms of 3G. 3 has fantastic network coverage across the UK and that’s what makes it great.

If the filth that is Vodafone takes over 3 in the UK, 3 will go downhill horribly quickly. 3 is great as it is – keep it that way! Super cheap calls and texts, fantastic mobile broadband, great coverage – 3 has it all.

Will the senior people at 3 UK please think very carefully if a merger is offered with Vodafone – it could be a big mistake!

3 Mi-Fi – should I get it?

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I’m just not sure!

I’ve recently been considering the concept of Hutchinson 3G’s (3 in the UK) mobile wireless broadband service – dubbed “Mi-Fi”. It has really interested me because of it’s convenience. You simply slip in the SIM card and off it goes. It works as a portable wi-fi router, and can connect up to 5 devices at any given time.

On the pay as you go plan (which I’d prefer), you get the device for £49.99, together with all the kit and caboodle you will need to go with. You then pay for bandwidth separately and is priced as follows:

  • £10 for 1GB
  • £15 for 3GB
  • £25 for 7GB

Pretty expensive in my opinion – but that’s mobile broadband for you.

I think it would be really handy for me as I spend a lot of time in cars, on trains and in public places so it would be pretty convenient for me. I just need to justify whether the cost balances out the convenience.

If anyone has Mi-Fi, could they post a comment to let me know how they get on with it? It’d be nice to know what people think of it.

3 (Three) “Mi-Fi” looks very interesting…

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If you’re a big reader of the news from the rather large tech world, you may well be aware that UK mobile operator 3 (Three) are planning to launch a very cool new level of mobile internet.

They are dubbing it Mi-FI, but it is basically your own battery powered router for your 3 mobile broadband package.

It is [apparently] very simple to use – you just slot some batteries in, together with your 3 mobile broadband SIM, and then switch it on. From what GEEK! understands, it will then find the nearest internet connection from available GPRS, EDGE, 3G, and HSDPA connections in your area. As soon as it can connect to a network mast, it will start firing out a Wi-Fi connection that all of your Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to.

The device itself will be available over the internet from September 17th and will be in 3 stores across the country from September 18th.

As for pricing, see below (quoted from ISP Review)

•‘Broadband 5GB 1 month’ is a one month contract which includes 5GB of data for just £15 a month. With this deal the wireless modem costs just £69.99.
•For an upfront charge of £99.99, Mobile Wi-Fi will also be available as a ‘Ready to Go’ kit. The deal includes a wireless modem and 3GB worth of data which can be used over a 3 month period. After the data has been used up, the modem can be used on a Pay As You Go basis.

So there you have it – looks exciting in my opinion. I wouldn’t say it was brilliant value, but if you’re a frequent user of mobile internet it is probably well worth the cost. I’m looking forward to seeing it in 3 stores.

3 (Three/Hutchison 3G) UK Mobile Pay as you Go – Full and thorough review!

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I’ve been with 3 (Three) for just under 6 months, so I feel it’s about time I do a full review. There’s much argument on the internet as to whether 3 is really a good company or whether it isn’t to be used. I have summed up most of the features available on 3 and how well they compare to other mobile operators in the UK.

Bare in mind, this review is based on pay as you go usage, but some categories (such as Coverage) apply to both PAYG and Pay Monthly.

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Review: Nokia 3120 Classic on 3 (UK)

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I recently bought myself a brand new Nokia 3120 from 3 (Three). Here is a review for the item and 3 itself.

Delivery was relatively good. No fuss. Ordered last Thursday and the phone arrived Saturday lunchtime in the post. Packaging was good and nothing was damaged.

When it arrived, I charged it up for a couple of hours and it was ready to go. Threw in my new SIM card and fired it up.

It’s easy to set up. The phone will ask about the date and time, and when you’ve done that call 444. They say the phone will be activated within 24 hours but mine was activated 5 minutes later. Once 3 have sent you the text confirming the account is active and your £10 introductory top-up had gone through, you are ready to do what you want.

The phone itself is fantastic for the money. I paid £80 at three.co.uk and I got free delivery, £10 free top-up, a free £10 accessories voucher which I used to buy a 2gb memory card (you must speak to the online customer service BEFORE ordering your phone to get the code required), free Windows Live Messenger to download and use as much as I liked, as well as free Skype (however this is not available on the 3120 yet – they say it will be in the near future). Update 3.2.09: I can now get Skype on my phone – I am not sure if it officially supported, but 3 let me download it and it works fine.

The only downside I can find with the phone is that the battery life isn’t fantastic. Bluetooth and 3G will drain the battery like a rocket. If you use a lot of mobile internet or bluetooth, you will only have enough juice to last a day or two. Less frequent users will get up to 1 week.

The flat12 tariff on three is very good. Calls and texts are 12p per min/each. Internet is £1 per MB unless you get an addon, TV and unadvertised radio is 49p per day (requires 3G coverage), and video calls are 50p per min (requires 3G coverage).

Verdict: Get the phone, it’s very good for £80 but watch out if you are a frequent user as battery life isn’t fantastic.