Unfortunately, this deal is no longer available
*
1598°
Posted 7 March 2015
Knowhow (Three network) 1gb per month mobile broadband for 12 months £24.99 annual cost @ PC World
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mike_6480
Joined in 2006
20
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About this deal
This deal is expired. Here are some options that might interest you:
Knowhow (Three network) 1gb per month mobile broadband for 12 months. £24.99 is the ANNUAL COST
Get 1gb of mobile internet data per month for a year.
Works on the three mobile network
quidco 31p
quidco.com/pc-…ld/
- rodman
For those saying it's expensive, be aware that it's £24.99 for the WHOLE YEAR, not monthly.
- Khairul
When you come to register the sim card you will need to add your credit/debit card details. Note that this doesn't mean you can go over and you will not be charged, but all the same, i no it can ruffle a few feathers
- Sykos
Get 1gb of mobile internet data per month for a year.
Works on the three mobile network
quidco 31p
quidco.com/pc-…ld/
- rodman
For those saying it's expensive, be aware that it's £24.99 for the WHOLE YEAR, not monthly.
- Khairul
When you come to register the sim card you will need to add your credit/debit card details. Note that this doesn't mean you can go over and you will not be charged, but all the same, i no it can ruffle a few feathers
- Sykos
More details at Community Updates
458 Comments
sorted byNB: @ 25Apr15 this product/deal is no longer listed on PCWorld/Currys website - it too late to buy & start your 1yr prepaid plan
This is what the pack looks like: (if collecting from store, ensure you get the right pack - several people have been given the wrong pack!)
This is a 3-sizes-in-1 Standard/Micro/Nano pre-paid SIM that gives you “1GB of [4G/3G] mobile date to use every month for 1 year”
Sold online & in-store by both PCWorld and Currys at £24.99 currently as product code 121006 described as
“KNOWHOW Mobile Broadband 3-in-1 Starter SIM” though has been 60% more at £39.99.
You might get cashback by ordering thru a Quidco/TopcashBack type site - eg I'm due 21p!
The item was initially in stock to order online for (free) home delivery (but it sold out) + Reserve&Collect in store. Though not a Clearance/.97p item they haven't restocked online (perhaps we made this too popular!), & though Sale may end any time & eg become 60% pricier again it is still available at some stores @2/4/15!.
For an example of why getting delivered beats collecting - see this HUKDer experience: hotukdeals.com/dea…534
I believe it's being considered a Hot UK Deal as at £24.99 up-front cost (instead of £39.99) you get 12 months of 1GB/m of UK 3G/4G data ie just £2.08/m with no "Overage" charges as your 1GB/m is capped (ie can't use more), has no contract & "You can use your SIM in WiFi devices, USB dongles, smartphones & tablets including iPads to connect to the service" & tethering/VoIP/hotspots etc are all OK..
Thanks to HUKDer Sykos for starting activation process on his SIM (ie paid £24.99 up-front for the £0.00/m plan) & sharing its features: ie:
(NB: As per packaging: "In order to activate the service a valid debit/credit card is required for validation - this card will not be charged." The service is by "Globalgig" [see below re MVNO] so you may have used your email address with that brand before. The "'WiFi on the go" is them supporting its use for personal hotspot & MiFi's, not any access to other peoples' WiFi networks.)
Not sure it'd be hot at regular £39.99 & the optional extra £4.99/m bundles would probably make it poor value.
It is a pre-paid SIM - "no contract", "no credit checks" - that gives you what it says on the actual tin (ie cardboard sleeve & website - ie
The Knowhow-Mbb website [it's their product] is your best starting position to knowing what it is:
annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/…ual
For a quick "Annual SIM Starter Pack Service Description" of what you're buying see their 4 page PDF with info on its optional extras (more data OR overseas use at £4.99/m), here's a direct link to it:
assets.globalgig.com/glo…pdf
It explains clearly that you're getting mobile data:
* UK 1GB/m for 12m included in price and that 1GB/m on 4G/3G is capped, no "Overage" use/costs available to you
* and can start paying £4.99/m to increase to 2GB/m in UK for rest of the 12m, still no "Overage", ie capped at 2GB/m in UK.
* or can start paying £4.99/m to use the 1GB/m in c40 countries for the rest of the 12m but then "Overage" applies both in UK @5p/MB and overseas at 15p/MB - ie no longer capped though they aim to send email alerts as usage reaches 50/85/100%.
Options are "rolling month-month contracts" for the rest of your SIM's 12 months; you can cancel an option but that totally cancels the entire SIM, including the original prepaid elements!
If you are interested in 30-day international contracts probably look at their Freedom/Travel plans instead
knowhow-mbb.com/
If you want to find the link yourself (as you shouldn't trust strangers), look on their website at
annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/…ual
then look at the bottom of the page at the footer... the last text is "Service Description". Click on that link & then the Annual Plan SIM doc link.
Any reference on PCW/Currys website to a 30-days contract must be to the two optional extra £4.99/m which remain for the rest of your 12m term, unless you cancel - ie per Service Description document "All upgrade plan options are rolling month-to-month contracts. There are no fees to cancel your service.". (There is no 10GB/£7.99 or other options showing on the Knowhow website (ie PCW/Currys website errors)).
The SIM only provides data : per packaging "This is a data only service. Traditional voice & SMS services are not supported."
which nicely suggests the VoiP/SIP/WhatsApps/Skype etc services would be working as they are data not voice/SMS based.
If you want to read the back of the actual product packaging, please follow this link
i.imgur.com/I7r…jpg
Note: when activating it asks for a mobile number - this is NOT the 07777777777 [a dummy/nominal number]... from your pack... but is meant to be your own [other] mobile number.
Usage monitoring: with the bundled 1GB/m your usage is capped at the 1GB/m & then service pauses until the next of the 12 months begins. Currently there is no online usage meter, just email alerts on the day when you hit 50/85/100% of monthly limit. The website says more functionality coming.
So if aiming to use in a SmartPhone with normal voice/SMSs, you would need a Dual-SIM/Triple-SIM phone (with at least a 3G SIM socket for this SIM it seems) where this prepaid SIM can provide 1GB/m of data, while your other SIM provides any traditional voice/SMS services. [This SIM v.likely needs 3G, so to use alongside another 3/Three network SIM that also needs 3G would require a more sophisticated Dual-SIM phone than many are - ie many older/cheaper have one "2G/GSM only" SIM socket - ie do some more research if that's your plan.]
When you visit the website to activate your SIM, it offers you the chance to upgrade there & then, but you can upgrade later. See these screens captured by HUKDer Sykos:
hotukdeals.com/dea…576
If you're considering the £4.99/m optional extra probably worth reading this first
hotukdeals.com/dea…630
re the fact that the SIM is on a MVNO based on 3/Three UK network this is based on T&Cs that services provided by "Globalgig (which is a trading name of Voiamo Limited" & their Australian site says MVNO with 3 in UK.
globalgig.com/au/…rks
Update: First users have reported it is indeed on "3 UK" network, and named as "KNOWHOW EU1" as service provider; plus checking the # of my SIM shows it as allocated to 3 UK too.
Their official network 'Coverage' section is (farcical) at:
annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/…ual
but as a MVNO on "3 UK" network best to look:
three.co.uk/Sup…age
And if you're looking for a 4G mobile WiFi hotspot device and more you could try...
HUKDer seedbot's EE Osprey 4G MiFi at £20 up front (+cancel)
hotukdeals.com/dea…457
or at £30 with no contract to cancel - ie on PAYG at:
hotukdeals.com/dea…814
(though there are some reports of Osprey's not being mega reliable - eg 'Dodo')
or HUKDer Technation's EE Buzzard 4G USB powered at £20 one off
hotukdeals.com/dea…897
eg get the 4G gizmo and use the initial data and then exploit this 4G SIM in them...
Though the monthly 1GB allowance won't last long if/when used at 4G data rates!
Tip: If considering using as basis of a data only 'Smartphone' - eg using VoIP/SIP for voice & other services for SMS : I can recommend having a look at say using a FreeVoipDeal a/c & their MobileVOIP App. You prepay c£10 on a PAYG a/c & that gives you 120 days 'free calls' to c30 countries landlines (+some mobiles) subject to rolling 300mins fair use. (We've used them/associated companies for c10 years & while not perfect are totally 'usable'.) [Plus of course Skype + WhatsApp...]
If your device isn't picking up the Internet data connection properly, try their FAQ, ie to set the APN as: mbb.voiamo.net
annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/…aqs
Things we still don't know:
- Activate by? - any deadline to Activate the SIM by after purchase.[no expiry on pack/site!]
- 2G SIM socket - does the SIM work in a 2G socket (probably not)
- Content control? - is the Adult block removed during activation (with debit/credit card "validation"?)
16/3/15: Globalgig are also offering a free "Worldwide" SIM with 100MB/m for 3 months to use overseas... [with 15p/MB "Overage"]
hotukdeals.com/dea…085 (edited)
1. reserve online
2. go to shop to order&collect counter
3. avoid assistant I had to repeatedly explain the Sale of Goods Act to a few weeks previously, when I wanted a refund on a camera with a clear manufacturing fault *one day* after Currys 21 day refund policy.
4. another assistant finds my order in the system quickly.
5. assistant disappears into the back room
6. assistant comes out of the back room, with nothing...?
7. prints something off
8. shouts at second assistant across the shop floor in a non-English language
9. second assistant appears, is handed a piece of paper (with my order on)
10. second assistant wanders off and starts surfing the internet on one of their Apple Macs
11. a few minutes pass
12. more time passes. Second assistant now appears to be helping someone else with an iPad. the original assistant is in front of me, ignoring me, and typing something into the sales computer, in a one-fingered hunt-and-peck manner.
13. second assistant now appears to be looking at the item I ordered on the Currys web site.
14. second assistant comes back and says "are you sure you want this, we can do you a better deal than this?".
15. i look incredulous. I explain it is 1GB of data PER MONTH for a year, for 25 quid in total, and no I don't want to be upsold to something else.
16. second assistant doesn't believe me. I offer to show him the service description on the Currys web page on my phone, which I do.
17. second assistant now believes me, but doesn't know where to find the SIM pack. He disappears.
18. more time passes.
19. third assistant appears and hands me a large plastic security box containing the SIM pack (so off the shop floor), and tells me to go to the checkout to complete the purchase.
20. I go to the checkout. The checkout assistant is listening to the radio.
21. The guy scans the barcode, and the checkout computer asks for the SIM ID (ICC ID - 20 digits) and mobile phone number off the pack. Three times he scans them the wrong way around which the computer will not accept, and I have to tell him how to do it so the system will accept it...
22. FINALLY! I CAN PAY!
23. Escape! Run away! Never buy anything from Currys again!
Depends how you use it. I'm delighted to pay 2 quid a month to be contactable on whatsapp, hangouts and facebook messenger alone without having to mess about with a rolling contract full of minutes and texts im not going to use.
Maybe, to me this deal looks good if you fancy having 1GB of data a month for approx £2 a month to use over the next year. I can't think of any other provider that gives this sort of deal (discounting any costs for usage overseas etc)
What is Fogg?
give us some proof, mug!
90min a month for £2 a month, sounds good to me. Im in.
Don't get distracted into that option - the main linked listing at £24.99 is for "•Includes 1 GB of data per month for one year" and per the text on the left "This handy starter pack includes a Knowhow Mobile SIM card and 1 GB of data per month for a year."
It appears this is the website to get more information at
https://annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/en/annual#
That talks about Upgrade to the International monthly rolling plan to use your 1GB of data in 40 countries - £4.99 per month and that upgrade cost runs for the rest of your starter pack's 1 year term!
It also allows 1GB/m to become 2GB/m for the rest of the 1year term also at £4.99/m
If you really want to use data abroad for a period of time I would checkout Three PAYG All-in-one £15 option for a phone SIM which gives you 25GB in their "Feel At Home" countries for 30 days (without tethering).
(edited)
It actually looks like you have to upgrade and pay an extra £4.99 a month to be able to use abroad - see link below that has already been posted:
https://annual.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/en/annual#
states "Upgrade to the International monthly rolling plan to use your 1GB of data in 40 countries - £4.99 per month"
http://www.dixonscarphonegroup.com/media-centre/press-releases/dixons-carphone-confirms-mvno-three
Could well relate to this deal, where "Globalgig" (a trading name of "Voiamo Limited") provide the services for this PCWorld sold "Knowhow-MB" SIM where Knowhow "the new face of technology service and support" for Currys & PCWorld.
Voiamo themselves seem to have some pedigree in the mobile data marketplace around the world.
http://voiamo.com/press-coverage/
and an FT article there led me to another of Voiamo's businesses
https://mobi-data.co.uk/uk/en/
where 1GB/data is £4.94/m but with 100MB of overseas data.
(edited)
People (trolls) who vote cold because its not international roaming or because its not £15 per month for 5gb need to get a life, the IQ of people using this site amazes me, or maybe they think they have a sense of humour?
Ive no need for this sim but doesn't mean its not a good deal because it is, hot.
Should be no reason for it not to work. At the very least this offer is a 3G SIM, quite probably 4G too. The Osprey is 4G so once unlocked any network [and we believe this is MVNO on Three] 3G/4G SIM should work. The only issue then would be how good Three network coverage you have where you plan to use it.
Meanwhile it's Sunday morning shop opening time & I'm off to collect one as having contributed so much here to trying to work out what the flip PCW/Currys are really selling I'm going to look first hand (and probably pick one up)... so will report in about an hour's time.
(edited)
Well I can confirm it works well anyway, only I have to wait until 12/04/2015 before i can use it again :-(
Curious, at £7 a month for 1GB of data for use only on a tablet with Virgin SIM only, I must be missing something?
They don't allow tethering on their phone SIM deals or using any SIM in a dongle, so am perplexed at what deal you're referring too?
(edited)
i am currently using EE 3 months/6gb sims for £14.99 but have a new tablet that barely gets taken out of the house, but at £2 a month, this is an excellent choice if it works out nicely
Initially thought it was a PC World/Dixons Carphone branded MVNO (mobile operator that piggybacks off another network a la Virgin). Everyone's jumping on one bandwagon or another just like they did with ISPs circa 1998.
It turns out that PC World have just whored out their uninspiring 'Knowhow' brand to Voiamo voiamo.com but have been doing so since at least last July http://www.cityam.com/1405920655/voiamo-seeking-raise-10m-bid-speed-european-rollout
It troubles me that there are no reviews except for the one upset review on the product page (due to issues in spain), because having been going for this long, I would've expected it to have made a ripple in internet-sphere.
I just get the feeling that the 12 months isn't guaranteed. It could ovivo its way into oblivion before they year is up - who knows?
This is £25 for 12 months. What you are quoting is £180 for 12 months. Completely different price ranges.
It was originally available to buy online for home delivery when the HUKD began but heat soon led to selling out online. I would expect them to replenish online stocks fairly quickly, this isn't in anyway a Clearance/.97p item - though watch out for any price change - it was 60% more expensive until 2 weeks ago!
(The store I picked up from had 3 ready for Collections so HUKD heat has caused a lot of interest - I think HUKDers mike_6480 and I are a lot better at marketing than Dixons!.)
You don't even need to have a sim card inserted in your phone to register for Whatsapp. I bought a phone off a Gumtree'er that later got network blocked. Nevertheless, I still use it fully (aside from calls/text). & Whatsapp works perfectly over wifi.
So Whatsapp will have no problem working with a second data sim. The only time Whatsapp ever engages with your sim number is in initial registration. Thereafter, it is entirely internet based - and will work using this KnowHow data connection using your normal Whatsapp number.
(Sorry, replied to your comment instead of #215!)
(edited)
Thanks for that - my reply was getting way too complex/theoretical - and vanished into a moderation queue for a bit - and I've now deleted it to avoid confusion.
What I did find which I thought interesting, as it confirms your first hand experience...
hacktrix.com/ins…ard
and some people were asking 'could I use this SIM' in my [single-SIM] Smartphone and rely on it to give me data based WhatsApp/messaging/etc - and seems like a goer.
I would just reiterate an issue re DualSIM if your existing "main SIM" is on 3/Three network - then do check your phone has two 3G capable sockets [many have one that is only 2G/GSM] as otherwise trying to use this Knowhow SIM in a 2G socket isn't going to work based on all past knowledge of 3/Three SIMs/network - though haven't spotted a specific alert/warning on PCW/Currys/Knowhow sites.
(edited)
By the same token, if you use a Windows Phone, just leave battery saver switched on. This cuts the data connection to all apps running in the background. You can then choose to over-ride this default setting for specific apps by going into battery saver and changing the background usage permissions.
A simpler and more elegant solution I reckon as all of your apps can still work - but the vast majority are barred from doing so until you open the app manually.
I suspect that after 12 months you'll have to subscribe to a monthly package, maybe someone at customer service might know more.
Also it's under the same mvno as globalgig and they've been around a bit.
Thank you much for the appreciation! It's just like being back at work again (unpaid). I used to turn technological uncertainly and ignorance into something known, tangible, usable & documented HUKD, at its best, is a great community forum to share knowledge and experience - and for 'MoneySavingExpert' style analysis. BTW let us not forget ... thanks to mike_6480 for spotting & posting this HUKD that I've elaborated upon
Of course as I mentioned before the really sad thing is that the customer shouldn't have to do that research. They should be presenting this item in a really customer friendly/enticing/explanatory way as it seems (rightly) there's quite a potential market for this product if explained clearly and consistently it should sell itself - but it's clear a leopard doesn't change its spots - we're still talking about Dixons + DSG + PCWorld + Currys + Knowhow (+ Carphone Warehouse)!
Though why would they pro-actively sell the cheapest/best value £2.08/m deal when they can sell ones for 3x 4x 5x times that amount per month
It's quite clear that the SIM is a "no contract" SIM with just 1GB/m data allowance for 12 months and that after that it will get no new allowances and will become useless (and with no voice/SMS number to preserve of course, binnable).
That said it is packaged as a "Starter Pack" and it would make sense for them to pro-actively offer a renewal, and from HUKDer Activation descriptions (I haven't done it yet) Knowhow-MBB [aka Globalgig, Powered by Voiamo] want at least an SMS number [and I'd guess an email address?] to sent usage notifications to, so probably a "it's your last month... why not call us" one too.
Of course if there is no worthwhile renewal offer frankly it matters not a damn as you've nothing to preserve on the SIM - no contract, no phone number, no PAYG balance, no 'subscriptions', no notice period [and hopefully no saved Contacts and SMSs from your other phone SIMs] - so throwing it in the bin just reminds you that you can't get data thru it anymore and you have 100% freedom to look elsewhere.
My tip, if the SIM proves successful for you - in terms of (a) 3G/4G network coverage (b) throughput achieved and (c) data needs met (ie <1GB/m) - is to watch out for PCW/Currys still selling it & reducing it again as your year runs out.
I'd advise: Buy one now** - ordering online- while they are still £24.99, but I couldn't suggest buying an extra one to 'bank' just yet, even though it might revert to being 60% more expensive at any time, due to it's not being a proven good buy for you ... yet, hopefully... and of course a year is a long time in mobile data with all the telecomms/network musical chairs in the offing with BT & EE, 3/Three and o2 etc etc.
** Remember you have 21 days at PCW/Currys to return an item that you decide is 'unwanted' - so if the next few weeks shows early adopters as struggling to get throughput/connections - which it does NOT yet, au contraire once actually activated people have said it's fine - then you can always return that first unopened £24.99 Pack. [I've kept mine sealed just in case...:p ]
(edited)
If it's a new car, ask for a software upgrade! That sounds like a really hobbled (and ridiculously niche) GPS system!
For Christ sake! Anyway, at least she gave me the right one, all activated now!
Just be sure to take home a pack looking like this as way too many have been given the wrong item either by mistake or even intentionally!
Update on the discussion above:
I sent KnowHow an email asking about whether the sim just stops after 12 months, and whether there are renewal options. Just had this back from them:
see
hotukdeals.com/dea…113
Their call centre initially rebuffed me [=pathetic!]; and in store they realised they should refund me but didn't have the power in store to do anything as "original transaction dated over 12 months ago" [=totally pathetic!]; but having put my refund request into the MSE recommended Resolver website for Currys/PCW to formally respond via their system I got a sensible response within one working day and have just given them my bank a/c details for a full refund for the service they are unable to start providing [within the 6 years contract law provides for].
Of course it's only resolved when I get the refund, but no reason to believe they won't now do so.
So if anyone else has an unactivated and hence now unusable SIM I would definitely recommend from personal experience the MSE recommended Resolver service... it's certainly saved me the hassle and cash flow cost of taking out a legal claim against them [which I totally intended to do otherwise!]
moneysavingexpert.com/sit…ver (edited)
I think you can in certain countries:
freedom-uk.knowhow-mbb.com/uk/…aqs
"Upgrading allows you to use your data abroad without incurring roaming charges, which is great for using on holiday or staying in touch with loved ones if you travel a lot."
So the min charge is £7.99 per month for 1gb - for the core countries - UK, Republic of Ireland, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA.
For the remaining 28 countries you can only use the "bonus data", which is 10% of the allowance - ie 100mb for your £7.99 per month, which is pretty much useless.
update: As is now clear this is the "annual" package and not the old £7.99 monthly package
(edited)
"Includes 1 GB of data per month for one year" you just pay from £7.99 for more data.
HUKD
"We want to ensure that you are able to use your data locally and overseas without bill shock. To keep you in control of your data usage we provide the following spend management controls.
Email notifications when you have used 50%, 85% and 100% of your planís data allocation.
Spend Alerts for every £/€10 spent.
For your convenience overage is capped at £/€50, you can change this cap by contacting Customer Service. Admin charges may apply.
Please note: spend management notifications are a best efforts service. Occasionally notifications may be late due to delays in receiving data records from overseas network partners."