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Hi everyone,
Wanted to ask for some advice.
It seems like Three are officially changing their PAYG rates so their 321 rates will no longer exist from 16th Feb. Now, I just spoke to an advisor on the phone who confirmed to me even old users like myself who are currently on their 3-2-1 deal will incur the same new charges from 16th Feb.
I can see on Twitter it's happening to others who have received the same SMS notification and I'm now thinking of leaving Three after so many years. I think I've been with them for over 5-6 years on their PAYG 3-2-1 tariff as that's what suits my needs.
What does everyone think of networks like 1p Mobile (who piggyback on EE)? Are they good? I'm in London so does anyone know what they're like in terms of data speeds etc? iD Mobile also seem like they offer 3-2-1 and they run on 3 so is this a decent alternative?
It's a shame because for someone like me, the 3-2-1 deal is perfect and a £5/£10 topup lasts me quite a few months, in general.
Would be grateful to hear thoughts from others who are in a similar position as me.
Thank you.
Wanted to ask for some advice.
It seems like Three are officially changing their PAYG rates so their 321 rates will no longer exist from 16th Feb. Now, I just spoke to an advisor on the phone who confirmed to me even old users like myself who are currently on their 3-2-1 deal will incur the same new charges from 16th Feb.
I can see on Twitter it's happening to others who have received the same SMS notification and I'm now thinking of leaving Three after so many years. I think I've been with them for over 5-6 years on their PAYG 3-2-1 tariff as that's what suits my needs.
What does everyone think of networks like 1p Mobile (who piggyback on EE)? Are they good? I'm in London so does anyone know what they're like in terms of data speeds etc? iD Mobile also seem like they offer 3-2-1 and they run on 3 so is this a decent alternative?
It's a shame because for someone like me, the 3-2-1 deal is perfect and a £5/£10 topup lasts me quite a few months, in general.
Would be grateful to hear thoughts from others who are in a similar position as me.
Thank you.
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sorted by- 3,2,1 is good for very low / occasional use.
1pMobile is good for my use - it costs £10 for 4 months, 60p a week , even if you do not use.
I break even nowadays , unused credit is rolled foreword . 
Author11/01/2021 22:36
Got the text today. Ordered a 1p mobile sim and got my PAC off live chat. …Got the text today. Ordered a 1p mobile sim and got my PAC off live chat. 3 offered me one month's unlimited data to stay! What use is that to someone who rarely used data, hence why I have a PAYG sim!
Haha. Same here. Will probably end up doing the same thing.
P.s
Just a note for future reference - you don't have to contact your network providers to get a PAC code anymore. Ofcom changed the rules so all you need to do now is text PAC to 65075. Much easier process! Especially since you can avoid the hassle of having to deal with an unwanted sales pitch when trying to just leave a network.
19/01/2021 12:01
I don't think so. You would need to just use up the credit then switch …I don't think so. You would need to just use up the credit then switch over.
I went on live chat at 3, when I asked for my PAC code, and was told the existing credit (which was only a couple of £s) would be returned to me upon the use of the PAC code.
I have since moved to China Mobile (£1 per month for 100 minutes, 100 texts and 500MB, runs on EE network), which I am absolutely delighted with - the plan is called "Trial", but I received written confirmation from them that it is a regular monthly plan, and I have found their email response prompt, but free helpline voice calls can be a little hard to understand. This parish wouldn't let me post the deal - for £1/month, it is red hot, imho.
With the plan you don't even need to give them your credit card details, you can just credit a couple of £s in your account to pay the monthly £1 sub, and you have180 days' grace without use, recharge or credit before your number disappears.- Author
11/01/2021 18:10
What are the NEW Payg rates?
10p calls
10p SMS
5p per MB/data
It's been 3p calls, 2p texts and 1p per MB/Data for a long time and it's changing now. For new SIMS since March 2020, they had these new 10p, 10p, 5p rates but old users like myself were benefitting from the old 3-2-1 deal. Not anymore from 16th Feb. - I'm on O2 3-2-1, they stopped doing it now though. £10 credit lasts me a few years probably
Just put my mum on 1p mobile after being on giffgaff for ages and wasting money (no goodybags), she was concerned about losing the free calls to other giffgaff users (only dad uses it) but she doesn't use them much. Sim dispatched on a Monday and received on Thursday, despite it being around new years, put in PAC code and number was transferred by mid day Friday. Seems OK at the moment.
I will transfer dad over too when his credit runs out in a few months. 
15/01/2021 11:34
Would have left 3 to join o2 but see that they’ve also discontinued their c …Would have left 3 to join o2 but see that they’ve also discontinued their classic payg tariff (which was same as 321).As a low user on my private phone might look to switch to 1p mobile. You have to top up £10 every 3 months but any unused credit is carried over which might come in handy when I’m on holiday etc.
They let you use the unused credit as well against the 120 day charge once unused credit has accrued.
- A 500% rise in rates is extraordinary, but my use of PAYG also included a cheap way of using roaming in the EU - they swore they were not raising charges because of Brexit, but this is a neat way round their false truth. Like other pensioners I shall be taking my custom elsewhere ! We are dispensable obviously
Has anyone tried China mobile? runs on EE also and their trial pack of 100 mins, 100 texts and 500mg data for £1 a month looks appealing for us low users- You can still get 3-2-1 O2 SIM cards from eBay, I posted a deal here:
hotukdeals.com/dea…100 
I hope this fails very badly for Three. The old 3-2-1 was the best form of lightweight/no contract, for years. Beating everyone by miles. Their pricing didnt easily allow for RPI increases. But to go for 400% increase, means they are now like the proverbial dog droppings on the shoe.
Its not that their contract bundles are bad, but having a variety of phones, all rarely used, there is zero reason to have one contract per device. I guess its better to have one SIM, shared amongst multiple devices and use the mobile hotspot feature.
Or head off to 1pmobile.
I think huge fluctuations in pricing models is bad for every consumer. It really degrades the value one would associate with a vendor.
I guess this is what happens when o2 & three merged? Quick! How do we annoy every customer we have ever had.
Goodbye three. You wont survive and your name is now dirt.- Author
14/01/2021 15:57
I hope this fails very badly for Three. The old 3-2-1 was the best form of …I hope this fails very badly for Three. The old 3-2-1 was the best form of lightweight/no contract, for years. Beating everyone by miles. Their pricing didnt easily allow for RPI increases. But to go for 400% increase, means they are now like the proverbial dog droppings on the shoe.Its not that their contract bundles are bad, but having a variety of phones, all rarely used, there is zero reason to have one contract per device. I guess its better to have one SIM, shared amongst multiple devices and use the mobile hotspot feature.Or head off to 1pmobile. I think huge fluctuations in pricing models is bad for every consumer. It really degrades the value one would associate with a vendor.I guess this is what happens when o2 & three merged? Quick! How do we annoy every customer we have ever had.Goodbye three. You wont survive and your name is now dirt.
The merger between Three and o2 never happened but it seems like o2 is now in the process of merging with Virgin instead:
telcotitans.com/telefonicawatch/new-three-boss-snipes-at-o2-virgin-merger/2119.article (edited) 12/01/2021 17:06
I haven’t had the text yet but I’m assuming this applies to the data rew …I haven’t had the text yet but I’m assuming this applies to the data reward sim as I know quite a few of us on here are on that. I’m not a huge user and £2 top up lasts me a good six weeks to 2 months and I’m mainly on WiFi at home and work so the 200mg was enough. I think I’ll be switching to 1p mobile and just turning mobile data off otherwise!
I am currently a Three data reward sim user, and I have contacted customer service and thsy have told me that the rate changes apply to me. What I'm going to be doing now is use the data reward sim for the 200mb and also use the o2 classic 321 sim in the same phone.01/02/2021 15:08
How did they say they'd return the credit to you?
Screen copy of 3 live chat:
"Is the existing credit now credited to my bank?
05:46 PM Sumit Once you use the Pac it will be done."
01/02/2021 14:38
Not bad.I'm happy with 1p Mobile for the time being although I haven't …Not bad.I'm happy with 1p Mobile for the time being although I haven't really been able to test it out properly.One thing I have noticed though is that I now get stronger signal. As in, there are now consistently more bars compared to when I was at Three.
Being tighter than a duck's wotsit, I did consider 1p Mobile but thought it very expensive for my purpose... I analysed the obvious options with the intention of posting it in this parish (which was denied), but here it goes:
China Mobile on EE network
100 minutes and 100 texts and 500MB for £1/month (Initial cost is £2, including £1 credit)
Exceeding allowance and without addons costs 8p/minute, 6p/text
Addons 1.5GB £3, 6GB £8, 25 minutes £1, 100 minutes £4
1p Mobile
£10 minimum top-up per 120 days, equivalent to £2.50/month
for which you get either 250 minutes or 250 texts or 250MB per month, or combination thereof.
One way (although not the only way) of looking at the China Mobile allowance in comparison, is that it would have cost £7 per month on 1p Mobile.
O2 Classic 321
£10 initial outlay unexpired with at least one expenditure per 6 months - you can get the sim for 20p off fleabay as posted in this parish.
If you are on Three 321 and you are a very light user and have always been able to make a £5 topup lasting over 5 months, then you should go for this, else China Mobile at £1/month will likely be cheaper in the long run. (edited)- I received a text in Jan. On the face of it, this is a pretty outrageous price hike (more than trebled from 3p to 10p per minute) and Three have not given a credible justification. When I contacted customer services the response was along the lines that the change was in response to market conditions ie everyone else had also increased their prices (which appears to be true) and that they are still competitive in the market on pay as you go prices (which also appears to be true). My own view is that Three are following rather than leading when it comes to price hikes on pay as you go and the issue is more of a market problem than one provider. I am therefore also looking at 1p mobile - and I have posted my displeasure re the major providers on the CMA wesite coronavirus-business-complaint.service.gov.uk/. Any shared experiences on 1p mobile would be very useful. (edited)
- Author
02/03/2021 15:28
we have one of these sims in our home, and I haven't received any text …we have one of these sims in our home, and I haven't received any text saying anything is changing. It is hardly used though. Incidentally does anybody know how often you have to use it in order to keep it it working, I know with some Sims if there's a period of inactivity they switch it off. Also does receiving a text count as activity or do you have to send a text or make a call?
You have to send a text or make a call in order for it to remain active. I think it's 6 months if I'm not mistaken with 3 SIMs. - Author
11/01/2021 17:20
Are you on PAYG? If so, what do you pay? If you don't mind me asking?Go to Plusnet happy with them & cheap.
- Nope contract £6 a month unlimited texts, unlimited calls 4gb data.
- Author
11/01/2021 17:26
Nope contract £6 a month unlimited texts, unlimited calls 4gb data.
Thanks for getting back. Sounds good but I'd prefer PAYG as there's no need for me to switch to a contract. - First I've heard of this I'm on 321payg as are another family, not had any notification on either one. Anybody else had text?
- Author
11/01/2021 19:50
Oh OK. Must be a phased thing with letting people know. Can't find …Oh OK. Must be a phased thing with letting people know. Can't find anything on Twitter either?Three are really tightening the purse strings. First they introduced extra annual price increases, then they cancelled my cheap contract, and now it looks like my cheap PAYG is ending too, all in the space of 3 months.
They haven't said it themselves on Twitter but there are people who have complained about it.
Funny that, isn't it? Yet, at the same time, they can throw £120m-£200m at Chelsea/Abramovich. - I'm in the same situation £5/£10 used to last me a few months.
- Author
11/01/2021 22:00
It’s getting to the stage where you will need to do the maths it g …It’s getting to the stage where you will need to do the maths it getting more and more expensive now for PAYG. I have my mothers phone on an old PAYG with o2 and looked around the other month and couldn’t believe how few there are now.
Yeah, very disappointing. All of these companies are the same. It's their way of getting people to sign up for contracts. I'm going to be looking into 1p mobile and might even make the switch. We'll see. 11/01/2021 22:18
I'm leaning towards 1p mobile myself. How has it been since? Everything …I'm leaning towards 1p mobile myself. How has it been since? Everything fine? No issues?
Yeah fine, I don't think she has used her data yet so not sure on speeds but should be good considering it's EE. I have auto topups on so it auto tops up in 4 months or when she gets to £2 credit, whichever is first. I'm sure you know you have to top up £10 every 4 months, but you can also top up £30 and it will last 1 year. Only downside is If you are a very low user you might get lots of credit build up eventually!
You could try looking on eBay and see if anyone is selling O2 3-2-1 sims. although you can no longer sign up for 3-2-1 from O2 you *might* be able to get the 3-2-1 rates with an old sim. (O2 classic it's called you can get them for 20p!) Only thing is I don't know if you can check the rate you are getting without topping up £10. (edited)
Got the text today. Ordered a 1p mobile sim and got my PAC off live chat. 3 offered me one month's unlimited data to stay! What use is that to someone who rarely used data, hence why I have a PAYG sim!
1p Mobile - moneysavingexpert.com/mob…ds/- I've used 1pMobile for over 18 months now, they've been great. If you know anyone who uses them already ask them for a referral code and you'll get £5 free credit (edited)
- I haven’t had the text yet but I’m assuming this applies to the data reward sim as I know quite a few of us on here are on that. I’m not a huge user and £2 top up lasts me a good six weeks to 2 months and I’m mainly on WiFi at home and work so the 200mg was enough. I think I’ll be switching to 1p mobile and just turning mobile data off otherwise!
- Author
12/01/2021 17:06
I haven’t had the text yet but I’m assuming this applies to the data rew …I haven’t had the text yet but I’m assuming this applies to the data reward sim as I know quite a few of us on here are on that. I’m not a huge user and £2 top up lasts me a good six weeks to 2 months and I’m mainly on WiFi at home and work so the 200mg was enough. I think I’ll be switching to 1p mobile and just turning mobile data off otherwise!
I think so, yes. - Author
12/01/2021 18:14
Are they changing anything about credit expiry? Or is it just a price …Are they changing anything about credit expiry? Or is it just a price increase?
Not too sure. May just be price increases. - Author
12/01/2021 18:47
Thanks for this. Just done it and they want the account holder's date of …Thanks for this. Just done it and they want the account holder's date of birth in the form DDMMYY after PAC. Worked fine. They did get my PAYG account balance wrong though - lower by £2.50, which made me wonder if there was a charge for the service
You're welcome.
I don't think there's a charge. And I also had the same incorrect account balance. 14/01/2021 10:30
As far as keeping a working mobile going , 20p a year isn't bad really (2 …As far as keeping a working mobile going , 20p a year isn't bad really (2 calls) . I'll be keeping my spare contact Three number going ..Credit does roll-over with 1pMobile bet there is no facility for refunding.Chinamobile sounds good but " trial " mentioned on website??
it says trial but then says recurring, so i would think you can use that on a monthly basis. Hard to find out an accurate answer of course due to the none existant CS!
14/01/2021 15:57
I hope this fails very badly for Three. The old 3-2-1 was the best form of …I hope this fails very badly for Three. The old 3-2-1 was the best form of lightweight/no contract, for years. Beating everyone by miles. Their pricing didnt easily allow for RPI increases. But to go for 400% increase, means they are now like the proverbial dog droppings on the shoe.Its not that their contract bundles are bad, but having a variety of phones, all rarely used, there is zero reason to have one contract per device. I guess its better to have one SIM, shared amongst multiple devices and use the mobile hotspot feature.Or head off to 1pmobile. I think huge fluctuations in pricing models is bad for every consumer. It really degrades the value one would associate with a vendor.I guess this is what happens when o2 & three merged? Quick! How do we annoy every customer we have ever had.Goodbye three. You wont survive and your name is now dirt.
They're doing the Virgin Media thing of raising prices everywhere (contract and PAYG) when the actual service offered is at its worst.- There's a thread here hotukdeals.com/dis…707
Alts include 1pmobile at £30 a year or asda mobile for pure PAYG - From the three website "text ‘PAC’ and your date of birth (DDMMYY) to 65075"
14/01/2021 21:59
Just go with a sim only, can get plenty of sim only unlimited minutes SMS …Just go with a sim only, can get plenty of sim only unlimited minutes SMS and data for £10-15 a month.1p per MB is 1GB for £10, seems expensive to me
It is if you regularly use 1GB, I'd sooner throw my mobile away than pay £120 per year!14/01/2021 21:59
Just go with a sim only, can get plenty of sim only unlimited minutes SMS …Just go with a sim only, can get plenty of sim only unlimited minutes SMS and data for £10-15 a month.1p per MB is 1GB for £10, seems expensive to me
That's if people on these kind of deals use that much data.- BT sim only, one year contact, unlimited text & calls.4 gigs of data,i barely use 1 gig per month,£5 .
- I don't suppose there is any way to get your remaining credit balance refunded?
15/01/2021 09:04
Is that a standard offer or a retentions thing?
My 3 contracted was coming to and end i went on to affordablemobiles.co.uk and it was listed under special offers.
The cashback was via Quidco.
