Three abolish roaming charges in 7 countries.

Myshra · 2 Sep 2013 at 09:28

All GSM networks use the same roaming system. Prices are only comparable in the local market but the % upchange for roaming is roughly the same (eg roaming in India costs less because they only charge a small amount of rupees to start with). That said, prices for roaming can vary. In europe it's mostly the same or less than us (they travel cross boarder more than us naturally).

The only major countries with issues are China, some US networks and Japan who use different network types. By and large the home networks use this as a stick to charge the users more.

Grrrrr · 7 Sep 2013 at 23:50

THANK YOU THREE!

I just arrived home from Italy today and having free data was amazing. Google maps, directions, restaurant finders, emailing photos, all the things we actually own a smartphone for I could do without worrying about an insane bill. Being able to use Google Maps especially was as a godsend.

I really hope this policy brings them a tidal wave of new customers because frankly they deserve them. And it's not just roaming, they are generally cheaper and faster too.

Apologies if this reads like a sales pitch, I have no association with Three. I'm just insanely grateful for this new change just 2 days before i went on hols

Helios1234 · 8 Sep 2013 at 01:12

The funny thing is that a few years ago, three used to have this policy with its sister companies but then decided to scrap it for slightly lower but universal roaming fees. Thankfully, they have gone back to how it was.

ShaolinDreams · 8 Sep 2013 at 07:56

Grrrrr said:
THANK YOU THREE!

I just arrived home from Italy today and having free data was amazing. Google maps, directions, restaurant finders, emailing photos, all the things we actually own a smartphone for I could do without worrying about an insane bill. Being able to use Google Maps especially was as a godsend.

I really hope this policy brings them a tidal wave of new customers because frankly they deserve them. And it's not just roaming, they are generally cheaper and faster too.

Apologies if this reads like a sales pitch, I have no association with Three. I'm just insanely grateful for this new change just 2 days before i went on hols

It certainly does make a whole heap of sense to do something like this.. personally i reckon it shouldnt be just seven countries but eventually cover the majority of countries in the world and not be limited to one or two provider neither but all the main players.

Of course we want to use our smartphones abroad to navigate and to be able to access important information without incurring ridiculous charges. Trip to Hong Kong or any of the countries included does sound interesting now

Most certainly a good step in the right direction.

matthab · 8 Sep 2013 at 08:04

Can't wait to go on holiday now. Off to Venice in Feb and its great news to hear now that I can use my phone as usual

.

However the work phone on Vodafone will be staying at home now.

englishpremier · 11 Sep 2013 at 11:37

Used this a week ago in Austria.

They used to do 'Three like home' back in 2008 that was the same thing. They then discontinued it which was the reason I terminated my contract.

Sucks that it's not in some of the more popular European destinations. As long as Three operate there the marginal cost is practically 0.

Cob · 4 Dec 2013 at 12:27

Now available in the US too \o/

http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

Rilot · 4 Dec 2013 at 12:34

Cob said:
Now available in the US too \o/

http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

Excellent. Three are really going to put the cat among the pigeons with the other suppliers.

Now, I just need them to introduce it for Poland and I'll be all set.

Glaucus · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:01

Cob said:
Now available in the US too \o/

http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

Omg thats just pure awesome.

When I went to usa it was $60 for some minutes and just 1Gb

Simian · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:15

Fantastic Timing... I join Three... They tell me I can get 4G for no extra cost with Unlimited Data in Jan/Feb 2014... Looking at the Nexus 5 next year!

Now they Abolish US Roaming Charges... I'm off to Chicago in April(ish) for mine and my Wifes 40th birthdays!!

thebandit · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:35

I might be being a dipsh** here, but I can't find the answer to my question so throwing open to everybody. The "feel at home" information I have read so far says when you are abroad you get to call the UK with your minutes, but I can't find what happens if you want to call say a US number from within the US (rather than a UK number from the US). What do you get charged then, has it changed under "feel at home" or is it normal roaming rate.

Cob · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:38

thebandit said:
I might be being a dipsh** here, but I can't find the answer to my question so throwing open to everybody. The "feel at home" information I have read so far says when you are abroad you get to call the UK with your minutes, but I can't find what happens if you want to call say a US number from within the US (rather than a UK number from the US). What do you get charged then, has it changed under "feel at home" or is it normal roaming rate.

Just remember, if you send texts or make calls to local numbers while abroad you’ll be charged our normal roaming rates. And if you’re using Pay As You Go credit or you use all of your inclusive allowances, we’ve arranged special roaming rates for you that are lower than normal in these destinations.

robgmun · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:38

^

I just swung a new contact with the one plan. tethering, free roaming, 4G, 2000 mins, 5000 3to3 mins, all of £15 per month, it's insane! How are they doing all this and not make a loss??

mrk · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:43

Wow I need to update t one plan next, currently on the same bundle as above but without tethering at £15 a month on 12 month sim only.

Add Canada to the list too please 3, I spent $45 on a sim during my stay for data

thebandit · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:48

double post.

mrk · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:49

That's right, calling US numbers will incur charges. Calling back home though will use your allowance.

POB · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:53

Nice! Subject to coverage I think I'll swap to 3.

thebandit · 4 Dec 2013 at 13:54

Thanks all, question answered. I'm just waiting for them to add China to the list.

Myshra · 4 Dec 2013 at 14:38

thebandit said:
Thanks all, question answered. I'm just waiting for them to add China to the list.

It will be a cold day in hell first. China uses propriety TD-SCDMA which your phone isn't compatible with leaving roamers to use their old 2G GSM network. The networks are also notoriously difficult to work with at the operator level and make things hard like not implementing CAMEL, the system used between networks to add seamless roaming / features etc...

It's not uncommon for issues in roaming to exist between China's big 3 and the UK networks put it that way.

Back to 3 - big move here, will put more pressure on the others to come back but the more important thing to me is that this might mean 3 are going to try and burst into business more. Three are woeful at business deals right now but with a decent roaming plan, better back end support and some aggressively priced plans, i can see some rivalry appearing.

TheVoice · 4 Dec 2013 at 14:50

Headed to Australia tomorrow (with an overnight in Hong Kong on the way), looking forward to being able to use my phone to let people know where I am. Will report back with what sort of coverage/speeds I get.