topic Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now? in Account and services

Why is roaming such a rip off now?

M2024 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:19:09 GMT

It was only a few years ago international roaming (including USA) was fully included in the monthly price. That was great. Now you need to pay extortionate amounts to use a restricted version of your plan when abroad. For 2 weeks away that's £60 and unlimited data turns into 12gb per 30 days. But you can pay an extra £5 a day for unlimited data. So about £120 to use your phone when abroad. Utterly disgraceful.

Talking to three about it is like talking to a terrible robot. Asking for an explanation as to why they continually put prices up every year but don't do anything to improve the service and actively make it worse by implementing the above, the reaponse I get it "roaming data is limited to 12gb as per the policy"

Yeah thanks I know, that's why I'm complaining. Used to love 3 but now they seem to just want to rip people off at every opportunity.

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

M2024 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:22:16 GMT

I'm not even able to make use of a data esim because as soon as my SIM touches the network abroad I get charged £5 a day so it's either pay a shed load of money or pay a bit less and not be able to use my phone.

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:36:40 GMT

The one positive left is that incoming calls remain free.

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

MZone — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 09:10:00 GMT

It’s all to do with making profit and without that there would be no money for investment in making the network better.

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

M2024 — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:55:57 GMT

But are they even doing that ? They used to be able to provide unlimited data in the US. What changed ?

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

KateS — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 11:21:48 GMT

Hey @M2024,

We've always operated Fair Usage policies on roaming as a company.

The alternative option to use unlimited data would be to purchase a daily Data Passport as this isn't limited to 12GB. You can purchase this by logging into the your account on the My3 app or online.

Thanks,
Kate

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

M2024 — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:51:14 GMT

When I've been to the US previously with an unlimited data plan I was free to use as much data as I needed. Now I need to pay a huge amount for a reduced allowance. There's no reason to now be charging people for something you used to include in the monthly price

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

M2024 — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:52:19 GMT

A daily passport is another £5 a day! So £60 to unlock roaming then another £60 on top of that. Daylight robbery

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

Jimbob — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 07:47:05 GMT

I'm travelling to Turkey soon and find it so much more cost effective to go on maya mobile and purchase an esim for 2 weeks, can get 20g of data for about £11

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

Spanndypops — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:18:46 GMT

I did this and still got charged for using excess data. It's a scam

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

With3Since2009 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:01:28 GMT

for the first time ever I am considering to switch to another provider due to the scam-y data roaming contracts available on 3 now.

Can get full international roaming without any hidden costs on O2 for £26 a month, while the 3 alternative is you get 56 days of "Go-Roam" in your entire 2 year contract period which is limited to 12GB per month

3 is going to lose many long term customers over this. they don't seem they know what they are doing.

Re: Why is roaming such a rip off now?

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:32:19 GMT

You only get the full 123 destinations if you're willing to pay £35 a month. The £26 deal you referred to is £26.99, but only covers 75 destinations, as per this link:

https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/sim-only-deals

Also, their data speeds are capped at 2 Mbps, which is extremely slow.