Three UK Launch 4G Home Broadband Plan with 1 Month Term
Mobile operator Three UK has, as part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis, launched a new “unlimited” 4G or 5G “Home Broadband” plan with a monthly rolling contract option (intended to complement the previous 12 and 24 month terms). A special plan has also been launched for use by NHS workers.
Naturally there is a cost to picking a short monthly contract term. For example, if you take the 4G based plan with their Huawei HomeFI Plus (B311) router then the unlimited data service will set you back £30 per month (including £29 one-off upfront), which falls to £27 per month on a 12 month term (£29 upfront charge) or £22 for 24 months (no upfront charge).
Customers can order online and get their broadband hub with free next working day delivery (subject to Royal Mail’s performance). “There is no need for a landline and no engineer visit is required, customers can simply plug it in, and connect the hub and up to 64 devices at home to Three’s network,” said the operator. Naturally you should make sure you’re able to get a good 4G or 5G signal first.
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Three UK has also launched a flexible SIM-only mobile plan for NHS workers, which includes unlimited minutes, texts and data for £18 (usually £26) per month, on a flexible 1-month rolling contract for new customers. Any role within a healthcare organisation qualifies – from NHS workers to pharmacy staff (see here for this offer – https://healthservicediscounts.com).
Finally, Three has launched a special offer for their ‘International Saver Add-on‘ – meaning pay monthly customers can now call from the UK to loved ones abroad in 31 destinations, with 3000 minutes, for £10 per month (usually £15.32). Destinations include many countries affected by Coronavirus, such as China, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and the USA.
Customers can visit their My3 app or online account to add the International Saver Add-on to their account or dial 388, then 00 followed by the country code and phone number they wish to call.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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It should be pointed out that their international add on covers calls to landlines only, mobiles are excluded (except USA I believe).
“For example, if you take the 4G based plan with their Huawei HomeFI Plus (B311) router…”
I think the HomeFi Plus is the B535 model, not the B311.
I thought the same but they seem to rotate it. At the time of the check yesterday it was the B311 when I clicked to view technical details on a sample order. Alternatively you can get the AI Cube at extra cost.
I should also be broken out that their online payment system is broke – and when you place an order you get an e-mail saying they will call you and they don’t because all their call centres are shut
Ive been waiting 2 weeks now – which is understandable. so launching this for the crisis when they can’t open during the crisis is a bit dumb
That’s not their payment system, when this happens it’s because you failed the credit check and it’s been referred. Not an outright decline, but it needs manual intervention to make a decision which isn’t happening right now because of the pandemic.
No there was a problem with their payment system . It happened and was briefed out to Three store staff who are working at home 45 minutes before I reported it.
The system won’t take a verification payment if the check is failed.
“Sorry, our Broadband isn’t available at this postcode
We’re increasing our coverage all the time and we hope to connect you in the near future.”
Seem to be in a bit of a deadspot when it comes to Three.
Have you tried ordering a free SIM (250MB data) for signal testing? I ordered one, and after running speedtests at 50Mbps+, I wanted to sign up.
For some reason, I also couldn’t order the Home Broadband, so I got the (phone) SIM only deal instead + bought a separate a mobile router.
I live in a rural location and I’m locked into using the crippling btopen reach infrastructure as there is no fttp and the fttc is just over 2k from my house so fttc is as bad as current adsl+ and having 3 kids at home that like to play there Xboxes the lag and lack of overall internet throughput means a simple update can take hours due to the attainable speed.
How is the three network for gaming and if it’s good for this then which router would be better.
I’ve got it myself and find it great for streaming and gaming online. Your best to check what your coverage is like first on their website. Also at the minute I believe they have extended there returns Policy to 30 days instead of 14 days. So if you did have any problems you could always just return.
Works pretty well here. I can’t order the Home Broadband, so I got the SIM only instead. I have used it with both an Aircard 810 and the M2 Mobile Router from Netgear – perfectly fine for online gaming, streaming etc.
I live 2 miles from York city centre and get good 4G speeds on my work O2 and personal GiffGaff phones. The 3 speeds through their Huawei router are dire, I have it positioned in the best possible position in the house for signal (upstairs window which facestowards the nearest 4G tower) and some days I get under 1 megabit.
I previously hd EE 4G broadband which had speeds of up to up to 70 megabits, I moved because of their 200GB download limits. 3 is unlimited on downloads, although their speeds were comparatively lower we still got 20-40 Mb and perfectly useable. This has since totally gone through the floor and is unusable most days. Looking to move ASAP.
Hmm most Cornish postcodes just say unavailable. London postcodes only offer 5g box. But go via Quidco and get straight into shop with options? https://tinyurl.com/qk4ro5k
Assuming it’s unlocked B535 for £59 with an included month seems fair.
I have a CIFAS Marker Cat 6 Due to a disagreement with Vodafone which is going to down Legal at the moment. However I have been with 3 for a long time and have 3 lines with them.
Today i signed up for my 4th – the 1 month deal for the B535 after my AI Link blew up :/
Was accepted with no questions and paid the £29 upfront.
Device is unlocked as someone I know bought one recently – So it can be re-purposed if need be 🙂 Naturally will cancel after the month but their Credit Acceptance is much leaner for 1 month terms / SIMO and Broadband.
I took out a monthly 3 broadband contract a few months back. It’s not new?
I went with the B535 which was £79 upfront and £26 pcm – however continual issues with stalled connections means I terminated the account – though didn’t push for a refund and kept the device which works perfectly with vodafone (though not in use during lockdown)