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Three sim-only 4G broadband post-contract switch off

AledL

Casual Member
Good morning chaps and chapesses.

I have a curious case providing technical support to my mama. A few years ago I purchased a 4G mobile broadband dongle (small portable type) and discovered it didn't work in the area I wanted, but for reasons, I forgot to return it. I ended up giving it to my parents to watch in an area with surprisingly good rural 4G (often 30-60meg despite a significant distance, small antenna with good Line-of-sight).

Anyway, at the end of the 2 year contract term the contract and billing ends - no complaints from anyone. All is closed and I assumed it would stop working. 4 months later my moma says the thing is still providing Netflix/iPlayer to the TV she connected it to. Which leads me to wonder if they've put it on some kinda "limping along/limited data" unofficial tariff. Does anyone know what should happen in this case? I suspect it will stop working eventually, but I might speedtest when I visit it next.
 
Good morning chaps and chapesses.

I have a curious case providing technical support to my mama. A few years ago I purchased a 4G mobile broadband dongle (small portable type) and discovered it didn't work in the area I wanted, but for reasons, I forgot to return it. I ended up giving it to my parents to watch in an area with surprisingly good rural 4G (often 30-60meg despite a significant distance, small antenna with good Line-of-sight).

Anyway, at the end of the 2 year contract term the contract and billing ends - no complaints from anyone. All is closed and I assumed it would stop working. 4 months later my moma says the thing is still providing Netflix/iPlayer to the TV she connected it to. Which leads me to wonder if they've put it on some kinda "limping along/limited data" unofficial tariff. Does anyone know what should happen in this case? I suspect it will stop working eventually, but I might speedtest when I visit it next.
Are you sure the billing has actually stopped? I've never heard of anything like this before.
 
Are you sure the billing has actually stopped? I've never heard of anything like this before.

Might be worth getting in touch with Three over it with it being a contract, it might be a billing error and there's an outstanding amount on the account.

If it was PAYG I'd be inclined to let it slide (like i have done with my VOXI sim which is still kicking 8 months later), but we've all heard the horror stories with Three when it comes to owing them money!
 
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I've never heard of anything like this before.

Imagine being able to get free data without paying for it - shocked I tell you, shocked 😆!

Can you still login to the Three online account? Are there any charges or usage data? Also, was the original sim meant to convert to PAYG at contract end or just be switched off?

If everything has been terminated to the best of your knowledge, hold on to any proof of cancellation and just enjoy the free data while it lasts. Also, if you paid by direct debit make sure that has been cancelled.
 
Anyway, at the end of the 2 year contract term the contract and billing ends - no complaints from anyone. All is closed and I assumed it would stop working. 4 months later my moma says the thing is still providing Netflix/iPlayer to the TV
The Contract is the Minimum Term, they dont expire after this, they just continue until you cancel them or give notice to quit and request a PAC Code.
 
Three don't normally just switch you off after your contract period ends, it just continues rolling month by month, at the price you were paying (bar an annual price increase in April) until you cancel. I'm currently out of contract, but as there are no current deals providing what I got, I just continue on this one.

I do know Three are having huge issues right now with their back end systems, including billing which they are "working on"
 
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The account and direct debits have been fully cancelled

Bizarre. My guess is that it's continuing on with a limited 5-10meg service (it was occasionally topping out at 60).
 
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