[jabbamk1]

Guys, I'm not making anything up.

Everything I've said in this thread is happening.

Here are the hard facts-

Three launched new price plans in March 2014 for contract handset and July 2014 for SIM Only. If you are a Three customer and not on these new plans you will be contacted when you are out of contract and asked to move onto these new plans. So once your minimum term comes to an end, Three will give you 60 days notice via text/letter to move onto one of the new price plans as they are discontinuing their old price plans.

In this 60 day period you can either move onto a new tariff or leave. If you do nothing, then after the 60 day period you will be moved onto a new 1 month rolling price plan which is similar to what you have now. Loyalty discounts are being discontinued so if you do nothing you'll move onto a standard new customer price. If you ring up you may be able to negotiate something.

Example 1 - Customer is paying £10 for 300 minutes, 3000 texts and 1GB data and is out of contract. In 60 days they will be moved over to the new price plan giving them 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB data + free 0800 numbers for £10pm.

Example 2- Customer is paying £15 for the one plan which gives 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, AYCE data + tethering. After 60 days, customer will be moved to 200 Minutes, Unlimited texts & Data + 4GB tethering for £15pm.

Example 1 shows a benefit, but both examples show that the customer is not being given a choice and is being told to accept the changes or leave. It's anti consumer.

Basically Three want more money. And so forcing people onto standard price tariffs (which are more expensive than the older tariffs and limit tethering) is the best way for them to do that.

I'm not too fussed if Three want to remove unlimited tethering from the one plan. But let customers stay on the plan or price point they signed up too. This forced move stuff is just unnecessary, and especially when you factor in they are removing all loyalty discounts. It's funny how they can introduce feel at home to all customers but to get free 0800 numbers you need to move to a new plan....

Also, just read the OP. it explains everything in detail....

[MTUK1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Guys, I'm not making anything up.

Everything I've said in this thread is happening.

Here are the hard facts-

Three launched new price plans in March 2014 for contract handset and July 2014 for SIM Only. If you are a Three customer and not on these new plans you will be contacted when you are out of contract and asked to move onto these new plans. So once your minimum term comes to an end, Three will give you 60 days notice via text/letter to move onto one of the new price plans as they are discontinuing their old price plans.

In this 60 day period you can either move onto a new tariff or leave. If you do nothing, then after the 60 day period you will be moved onto a new 1 month rolling price plan which is similar to what you have now. Loyalty discounts are being discontinued so if you do nothing you'll move onto a standard new customer price. If you ring up you may be able to negotiate something.

Basically Three want more money. And so forcing people onto standard price tariffs (which are more expensive than the older tariffs and limit tethering) is the best way for them to do that.

Also, just read the OP. it explains everything in detail....

And the points of your post have been confirmed where?

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUK1

And the points of your post have been confirmed where?

Well I reported the story first.

And then a Three spokesperson confirmed it after-
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/new...es-old-tariffs

Quote:

A Three spokesperson says: "In March 2014, we introduced new price plans giving customers more options in the size of their data and voice bundles, limits and alerts to prevent billshock, and free calls to 0800 numbers.

"Today we support thousands of old plans that we no longer sell. We want to introduce customers who are out of the minimum term of their contract on our old plans to the benefits of our new ones. We can do a better job for our customers with a simpler set of price plans. This will help us keep our price plans good value and give a good level of support."

Also here from the official Three blog

Quote:

We’re contacting out of contract customers over the coming months to let them know we’re phasing out our old plans.You’ll have 60 days to decide what to do. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll move you on to a 1 month SIM Only plan. You can cancel this plan at any time with 30 days notice

What? Suddenly you guys think I'm making stuff up after telling you what's going down at Three for the past 2 years?

[Thine Wonk]

Other networks do yearly in contract price rises though, all Three is doing is contacting customers when their contract is up and moving them up at that point.

The unlimited tethering thing is about reducing network congestion, more than pricing otherwise they would still offer the old options, but at more expensive rates.

I don't disbelieve you, but it is not possible for all One Plan customers that are out of contract to be contacted and given the required notice between now and the date posted. I suspect that this will be a rolling thing from now on for all customers when they get to the end of their contract each time.

They will no doubt get through the backlog of customers that are out of contract, but I can't see them getting in touch with every One Plan customer out of contract in one go in 60 days.

[Gigabit]

It is so nice to have a rational debate for once, without "the jock" coming in and trolling.

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Other networks do yearly in contract price rises though, all Three is doing is contacting customers when their contract is up and moving them up at that point.

The unlimited tethering thing is about reducing network congestion, more than pricing otherwise they would still offer the old options, but at more expensive rates.

I don't disbelieve you, but it is not possible for all One Plan customers that are out of contract to be contacted and given the required notice between now and the date posted. I suspect that this will be a rolling thing from now on for all customers when they get to the end of their contract each time.

They will no doubt get through the backlog of customers that are out of contract, but I can't see them getting in touch with every One Plan customer out of contract in one go in 60 days.

It's going to be a phased approach. But everyone will be contacted and given the notice required in time.

[Thine Wonk]

I suspect this will be an ongoing thing too as a way of always keeping customers current, rather than just picking a date and having a yearly price rise like O2.

[M_M2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Other networks do yearly in contract price rises though, all Three is doing is contacting customers when their contract is up and moving them up at that point.

The unlimited tethering thing is about reducing network congestion, more than pricing otherwise they would still offer the old options, but at more expensive rates.

I don't disbelieve you, but it is not possible for all One Plan customers that are out of contract to be contacted and given the required notice between now and the date posted. I suspect that this will be a rolling thing from now on for all customers when they get to the end of their contract each time.

They will no doubt get through the backlog of customers that are out of contract, but I can't see them getting in touch with every One Plan customer out of contract in one go in 60 days.

1. Three were very vocal and tried to stand out from the other networks by campaigning against annual price rises.

2. If it was truly about tethering and not increasing revenue they could easily apply the new tethering limits to existing plans, however they chose to charge MORE for LESS.

[Thine Wonk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_M2

1. Three were very vocal and tried to stand out from the other networks by campaigning against annual price rises.

2. If it was truly about tethering and not increasing revenue they could easily apply the new tethering limits to existing plans, however they chose to charge MORE for LESS.

You accept there's a difference between mid-contact price rises where you're locked in, and end of contract price rises when you can shop around and you aren't locked into the contract though..?

[eforce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

It's not cheaper, the one plan is 15 quid a month SIM-only, whereas Virgin want more than that minimum and any DSL ISP wants about that just for the phone line rental. With a decent phone thrown in, they're about the same.

The argument of "if I pay this I can get a mobile phone with loads of minutes and I can use it as home internet" comes into play here - urban or rural.

£15?

I thought One Plan was £25 minimum? Or are you including discounts?

[M_M2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

You accept there's a difference between mid-contact price rises where you're locked in, and end of contract price rises when you can shop around and you aren't locked into the contract though..?

Yes indeed, I guess the devil IS in the detail:-

http://blog.three.co.uk/2014/01/24/g...t-price-rises/

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eforce

£15?

I thought One Plan was £25 minimum? Or are you including discounts?

It was £15 per month until January this year, but had been increased to £20. So he must have been getting discounts.

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/2014/0...rice-change/15

Also there were loads of 3 to 3 minutes in such plans. They seem to be missing in the new price plans. Has 3 to 3 minutes gone or has it just been omitted by mistake? Is 3 to 3 min still available for existing customers as a loyalty discount?

http://www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Plans_for_phones

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Guys, I'm not making anything up.

Everything I've said in this thread is happening.

Here are the hard facts-

Three launched new price plans in March 2014 for contract handset and July 2014 for SIM Only. If you are a Three customer and not on these new plans you will be contacted when you are out of contract and asked to move onto these new plans. So once your minimum term comes to an end, Three will give you 60 days notice via text/letter to move onto one of the new price plans as they are discontinuing their old price plans.

In this 60 day period you can either move onto a new tariff or leave. If you do nothing, then after the 60 day period you will be moved onto a new 1 month rolling price plan which is similar to what you have now. Loyalty discounts are being discontinued so if you do nothing you'll move onto a standard new customer price. If you ring up you may be able to negotiate something.

Example 1 - Customer is paying £10 for 300 minutes, 3000 texts and 1GB data and is out of contract. In 60 days they will be moved over to the new price plan giving them 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB data + free 0800 numbers for £10pm.

Example 2- Customer is paying £15 for the one plan which gives 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, AYCE data + tethering. After 60 days, customer will be moved to 200 Minutes, Unlimited texts & Data + 4GB tethering for £15pm.

Example 1 shows a benefit, but both examples show that the customer is not being given a choice and is being told to accept the changes or leave. It's anti consumer.

Basically Three want more money. And so forcing people onto standard price tariffs (which are more expensive than the older tariffs and limit tethering) is the best way for them to do that.

I'm not too fussed if Three want to remove unlimited tethering from the one plan. But let customers stay on the plan or price point they signed up too. This forced move stuff is just unnecessary, and especially when you factor in they are removing all loyalty discounts. It's funny how they can introduce feel at home to all customers but to get free 0800 numbers you need to move to a new plan....

Also, just read the OP. it explains everything in detail....

It seems that only the £10 per month light calls and data consumers are going to be getting a great deal by accepting the new £10 per month tariff.

[moox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

It was £15 per month until January this year, but had been increased to £20. So he must have been getting discounts.

It wasn't really a discount, it was the full price 3 offered it at least this time last year (as that's when I signed up). On the bill it is implemented as £25 plus some loyalty discounts, but I was a new customer and it was advertised as £15

[Mark in Essex]

I saw that there was a deal on UK Hot Deals on Three for £15/month.

It looked like the one plan (of course minus the unlimited teathering at 4gb).

[Orbitalzone]

If I recall, the Sim only One plan was £15 for a while then it went up to £20, back down to £15 for very brief time earlier this year (an error that they honoured?) back up again to £20 until they cancelled that plan in July 2014

Pretty sure it went like that.

[Thine Wonk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Essex

I saw that there was a deal on UK Hot Deals on Three for £15/month.

It looked like the one plan (of course minus the unlimited teathering at 4gb).

It's on there and people are thinking it's hot, because despite all of this there isn't any other network offering unlimited handset data and to be fair that's all a big percent of the 'ordinary' user base probably use.

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

It seems that only the £10 per month light calls and data consumers are going to be getting a great deal by accepting the new £10 per month tariff.

You're missing the point though. This is something that they can already do. Some guys are out of contract and will benefit by moving to new plans. It's their choice to move over.

However Three are forcing all customers to move over to a new plan whether it's a benefit to them or not.

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbitalzone

If I recall, the Sim only One plan was £15 for a while then it went up to £20, back down to £15 for very brief time earlier this year (an error that they honoured?) back up again to £20 until they cancelled that plan in July 2014

Pretty sure it went like that.

£23pm > £25pm > £20pm > £15pm > £20pm

2011-2014 pricing^

[Thine Wonk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

You're missing the point though. This is something that they can already do. Some guys are out of contract and will benefit by moving to new plans. It's their choice to move over.

However Three are forcing all customers to move over to a new plan whether it's a benefit to them or not.

As they are out of contract though they can choose to stay or not, so it seems with Three from now on when you sign a contract you get a guaranteed fixed price and deal until the end, then they'll contact you and you choose from what is available at that point + a loyalty discount.

[Aldridge Andy]

Evidently loyalty discounts don't exist anymore from the communications I've had.

New and old customers are treated the same with access to the same plans and pricing.

[Chris1973]

Quote:

t's on there and people are thinking it's hot, because despite all of this there isn't any other network offering unlimited handset data and to be fair that's all a big percent of the 'ordinary' user base probably use.

Giff Gaff still offer unlimited handset data for about £18 on a PAYG basis, along with 2000 mins and Unlimited Texts. There has been some discussions in the past regarding some customers getting texts after using 10GB - 20GB of Data usage, but that was before the price was increased from £12 to its current level so they may not be sending these texts out in the future, given the higher price attached to it. There is of course "Traffic Flow" which works like Three's traffic sense during peak times, how invasive this is, compared to Three, I don't know.

I'm not a fan of Giff Gaff, and its not an option for me as there is no Tethering and no O2 3G coverage for several miles where I live and it seems that there is a lot of luck attached to the speeds that you get depending on the area you live. But the Unlimited Tariff does exist (for those who want to take their chances).

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

As they are out of contract though they can choose to stay or not, so it seems with Three from now on when you sign a contract you get a guaranteed fixed price and deal until the end, then they'll contact you and you choose from what is available at that point + a loyalty discount.

Not at all. If you're already on a new plan it works the same as before. Once you're out of contract you just roll on a month by month basis on the same plan and price until you CHOOSE to change to a SIM Only or Upgrade.

What Three are doing here is forcing out of contract customers on old plans to move over to a new plan or cancel. Loyalty discounts will be removed for pretty much everyone, standard pricing will be enforced and the majority of customers will end up paying more for less.

This is something I don't agree with at all. I was pitched this back in September by Three's PR people and it sounded like it wouldn't affect customers at all and was just to do with the unlimited tethering.

Now that I actually found out the whole facts at the start of this month it looks like Three lied to me. They made it sound like it was a proactive upgrade scheme and that people would be offered the same plan at the same price point but with a 4GB tethering cap.

Now however it's a forced move onto a new price plan at the same/higher price point whether you like it or not and the majority are going to end up getting less whilst paying more.

This is the first time a network is doing this and I'm not a fan of it at all. The sad thing is that not enough people will vote with their wallet as Three have predicted and so it means that the industry as a whole could start doing these anti consumer practices. We already have mid contract price increases from some networks....

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris1973

Giff Gaff still offer unlimited handset data for about £18 on a PAYG basis, along with 2000 mins and Unlimited Texts. There has been some discussions in the past regarding some customers getting texts after using 10GB - 20GB of Data usage, but that was before the price was increased from £12 to its current level so they may not be sending these texts out in the future, given the higher price attached to it. There is of course "Traffic Flow" which works like Three's traffic sense during peak times, how invasive this is, compared to Three, I don't know.

I'm not a fan of Giff Gaff, and its not an option for me as there is no O2 3G coverage for several miles where I live and it seems that there is a lot of luck attached to the speeds that you get depending on the area you live. But the Unlimited Tariff does exist (for those who want to take their chances).

Customers are still being banned for using more than 10GB data on GiffGaff unfortunately. They're not in my good books either at the moment.

[moox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

This is the first time a network is doing this and I'm not a fan of it at all. The sad thing is that not enough people will vote with their wallet as Three have predicted and so it means that the industry as a whole could start doing these anti consumer practices. We already have mid contract price increases from some networks....

It doesn't help that 3 were rather... innovative in their pricing that no one can really compete, even with the price rises.

Plus there are some of us who suffer from the O2/VF lack of investment so our only serious choices are EE/3 and their MVNOs, even if that means taking out a loan to pay for EE