Product Reviews Net » Three Network

Three UK gearing up for 4G tests, faster data on route

Gary Johnson — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:49:46 +0000

Much has been made recently about the lack of a 4G network in the UK, and the delay with the auction of the relevant licenses. The likes of Everything Everywhere and O2 have started running tests on the technology though, and now Three UK is gearing up for similar 4G tests next year with faster data on route.

The carrier announced that is to begin a one month trial of the technology, which ZDNet are reporting will take place in the Thames Valley. This is the same region that O2 has already performed early tests, and will be on the 2.6GHz spectrum. This is a high bandwidth and will cover four sites near to Maidenhead and Slough.

Later in the year Three will carry out further tests with regular customers the operator has said. Three’s David Dyson said “With every major upgrade like this smartphone and tablet customers will find they can enjoy their devices more in more places across the UK”.

He added that the company can provide unlimited data plans to customers because “of smart network management, investment in improved technologies and the spectrum that is the lifeblood of mobile.” We reported before that O2 had started trials in London with Everything Everywhere doing the same down in Cornwall.

Rival operator Vodafone has already conducted a number of trials in the country that started in 2009. No matter how much testing takes place operators can’t provide services until new spectrum is auctioned off. This is thought to now take place towards the end of 2012.

The UK is falling behind other countries in rolling out 4G services, and studies suggest the country is losing out on £730m of economic benefits every year. Does the lack of a 4G service bother you?

More About: 4G, Three Network

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Nearly all of UK carrier Three traffic is data

Gary Johnson — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:59:54 +0000

Over the last couple of years the mobile phones we use have changed dramatically, and with that the way we use them as well. More of us now use smartphones where we check emails, browse the internet, or communicate with our Facebook friends. This has increased the amount of data that is downloaded on the mobile networks around the world. Today it is being reported that nearly all of UK carrier Three traffic is data.

TNW are reporting that the carriers unlimited data packages have tempted many consumers to switch from rival providers, and now data accounts for 97 percent of the company’s mobile traffic. Three has now become the country’s quickest growing mobile network, which has been helped by customers taking up its all you can eat data plans.

They have offers on pay monthly and pay-as-you-go plans, and have seen a 427 percent rise in data usage on its networks. Users are downloading apps and streaming films among other things while on the go. When the company launched back in 2003 its unique selling point was that it was solely a 3G provider.

This may cause problems for the network in the short term though as it is in danger of running out of capacity, which hasn’t been helped by the delay of the UKs 4G auctions by Ofcom. Where other UK networks can switch 3G services over to a 2G spectrum, Three doesn’t have this option. It is believed auctions might not start until the end of 2012 at the earliest.

More About: 4G, Three Network

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HTC Sensation can now be preordered on Three

Gary Johnson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:09:18 +0000

Earlier today we gave the news that the HTC Sensation was coming to O2 and Orange networks in the UK. This was after Vodafone had an exclusive deal to have the handset earlier than anyone else. Now more consumers can get their hands on the handset following the news that the HTC Sensation can now be preordered on the Three network.

Best Mobile Contracts are reporting that the handset has been added to the preorder deals on the Three website, and is available for free on two different contracts from the carrier. First up is the One Plan with a two year contract. For £37 per month you will get 2000 minutes of talk time, 5000 texts, and an unlimited amount of data.

The next deal is the Text 500 plan which will give you 500 minutes of talk time, 5000 texts, and 1GB of data. This costs £30 per month over two years. The handset is listed for a June 29th delivery date, so not much longer to wait.

We originally reported the handset coming to the Three network back in May for a release date sometime this month, and the handset is set to be a much sought after device as it becomes available on more networks.

Are you getting the HTC Sensation?

More About: HTC Sensation, Three Network

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HTC Flyer: Three UK Reveals Tablet Price on Contract

Tina Chubb — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:02:01 +0000

A couple of months ago we announced that the much-anticipated HTC Flyer had become available for pre-order in the UK. At the time we told you that online retailer Clove.co.uk had the device up for £600. There was also mention of a Wi-Fi only version for £423, but that wasn’t available to pre-order.

Now we have a bit more good news for our UK readers, as according to a recent article by Kate Solomon over at techradar.com, Three UK has now included the HTC Flyer tablet in its latest product catalogue and in doing so, they have revealed the tablet’s pricing on contract.

Those of you that are interested in the 7-inch Android 2.3 tablet – which will be upgraded to Android 3.0 Honeycomb sometime after launch – will be able to pick it up from Three UK for £169, on a £24 per month 24-month contract. This will provide you with 15GB data allowance and 3G.

There is still no word on an official release date for the HTC Flyer as of yet. As a reminder, the HTC Flyer is powered by a single-core 1.5GHz processor and comes with 1GB of RAM, 32GB storage, a microSD slot, Bluetooth, a 5-megapixel-rear camera and a 1.3MP front-facing camera.

Are you thinking of purchasing the HTC Flyer Android tablet?

More About: HTC, HTC Flyer, Three Network

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3 Mobile Network UK: Goodbye Data Cap

Daniel Chubb — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:58:49 +0000

Good news for all of you in the UK who are on 3 especially if you are on “The One Plan”. The slogan of the plan is “For the first time there’s a plan that has more than enough of everything, at a more affordable price.”

The way it used to be is on their pay monthly contract, you were set to a 2 year plan with 2,000 any network minutes, 5,000 texts, 5,000 three-to-three minutes 1GB of data usage, all this for £25 per month and a choice of phones to add. Now the data side of it will be lifted to unlimited, no cap.

The SIM only plan is pretty similar but a 12 month plan with no addition of a phone and the same rule applies, the data usage will be unlimited. I like the way that Pocket-lint’s Stuart Miles put it in his article as all you can eat data. The pricing of the above plan is a cool £25pcm. Currently on the 3 website which you can visit here, the plan still says “1GB internet”.

Interestingly Zubin has commented on the article and said that as we have pointed out already, their online store doesn’t yet show the deal, Zubin has also contacted a member of staff from within the 3 store who said they were unaware of this information.

Well Zubin should read the 3 blog, you can use this as official authentication as it is owned by 3. Obviously the changes haven’t filtered through to all of the 3 staff members as yet.

What do you think of the change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

More About: cell phones, Three Network

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Samsung Galaxy S: Froyo Update on Three – Download Kies

Daniel Chubb — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:55:27 +0000

If you are UK based and own a Samsung Galaxy S then you are in for a little treat, the Froyo update is now available. You might even have been notified already but unfortunately you cannot do the update by text, you will have to connect your smartphone to your PC and complete it that way.

Being Samsung hardware you will need to do the update using Keis keys which will need to be downloaded directly from Samsung, it takes a bit of time but it will be worth it in the end. You can download the Kies from here. There are a couple of guides included on the page should you get stuck.

We did previously speak to you about a leaked version that you could download for the Samsung Galaxy S but this one is the full Froyo update.

Have you downloaded Froyo already? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.

More About: Android 2.2 Froyo Update, Samsung Galaxy S, Three Network

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Samsung Omnia 7: UK Release for T-Mobile, Orange and Three

Gary Johnson — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:27:18 +0000

After all the different handsets which were announced at the Windows Phone 7 event yesterday, we were only given details of the specs of the handsets. But are now starting to see some pricing information becoming available.

In the UK the Samsung Omnia 7 will be on T-Mobile, Three, and Orange. From October 21st Orange will give you an Omnia 7 free if you sign up to a 24 month contract at £40 per month. Three have the device for free on contracts starting at £35 per month. This could save you £120 compared to Orange.

T-Mobile also has the Samsung Omnia 7 from the same date, and it is again free if you agree to a two year contract costing £35 per month. It won’t be long before customers can start to see what WP7 is like with a shiny new smartphone.

Source: UnwiredView.com

More About: Orange, Samsung Omnia 7, T-Mobile, Three Network, Windows Phone 7

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