Three’s “One Plan”: 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, all-you-can-eat data & tethering from £25/month

May 9th, 2011

Three’s One Plan offers 2000 minutes, 5000 Three-to-Three minutes, 5000 texts, all-you-can-eat internet and tethering from £25/month.

Three have recently put a lot of focus on their flagship “One Plan” tariff with their “Set your smartphone free” campaign. Available from £25/month both as a Pay Monthly tariff with an inclusive handset or as a 30-day rolling SIM-only contact, “The One Plan” comes with a massive allowance of 2000 minutes, 5000 texts as well as all-you-can-eat data with no download limits.

What does “The One Plan” include?

“The One Plan” is essentially meant to be a practically “unlimited everything” tariff. For a monthly flat fee, you’ll get an inclusive allowance of:

Although internet is truly unlimited (there are no download limits or fair usage policies on all-you-can-eat internet), calls and texts are limited at 2,000 and 5,000 each month respectively. This equates to making 67 minutes of outgoing calls and sending 167 text messages every day.

Generally, these figures compare very well even with tariffs which are advertised as “unlimited”. For example, many “unlimited texts” tariffs come with a fair usage policy of 3,000 texts per month – The One Plan offers more than 3,000 texts despite the fact it isn’t marketed as “unlimited”.

How much does “The One Plan” cost?

The One Plan is available in two formats:

  • 24-month Pay Monthly Contract (from £25/month with inclusive phone). This tariff is designed for customers who want a new smartphone and are happy to sign up for 24 months. You’ll get a brand new smartphone with the price of the tariff dependent on the phone you choose. The full selection of phones can be seen on the Three website but highlights include:

  • 30-day SIM-only contract (£25/month). This tariff is designed for consumers who already own a smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.) which they’re happy with. Providing your smartphone is unlocked, you can simply place the One Plan SIM card into your existing phone and continue using it as before. You can keep your existing number using a PAC Code. You’ll need to give 30 days notice to leave “The One Plan”.

Is the “Pay Monthly” or “SIM-only” version of this tariff more suitable for me?

It really depends on whether you’re looking for a new phone. The price difference between the Pay Monthly tariff and the SIM-only tariff is fairly small: between £5/month or £10/month – indeed some phones are even available for the same monthly price as the SIM-only tariff. Even if you didn’t want a new phone, you could easily grab something like the HTC Wildfire S for free and pass it on/sell it to a friend. Of course, the drawback of the Pay Monthly tariff is that you’ll be making a 24-month commitment – the SIM-only tariff allows you to keep the flexibility of being able to leave with 30 days notice.

Is there an iPhone 4 micro-SIM available?

Yes. If you have got an unlocked iPhone 4, The One Plan is available as a micro-SIM. All other smartphone users should opt for the standard SIM-only tariff: the micro-SIM only works with the iPhone 4.

Can I tether on “The One Plan”?

Yes. “The One Plan” comes with “all-you-can-eat” data and free tethering. This means you can share the phone’s 3G data connection with other devices such as a laptop, tablet device (e.g. an iPad without native 3G), an iPod Touch, e-book reader or games console. You’ll need a phone which supports the mobile wi-fi hotspot feature in order to use this feature. We’ve got a detailed guide on tethering & how to connect your other electronic devices.

Aside from Three’s One Plan, O2 are the only other network to offer free tethering. However, tethering on O2 will count towards your download limit of 100MB to 1GB which is fairly restrictive for tethering.

Note that there has been a little bit of confusion in the last few days about whether tethering is allowed on the new 30-day SIM Only “One Plan” tariff. Three have confirmed on their Twitter page that tethering is indeed permitted. It is not possible to tether on Three’s “All in One” Pay As You Go tariffs.

What are the alternatives to “The One Plan”?

Generally, “The One Plan” compares well with the tariffs on other networks even if you don’t use most of the minutes. Take the 16GB Apple iPhone 4 for example – The One Plan has the lowest upfront cost as well as having more than 3x as many minutes and all-you-can-eat internet:

Network Monthly Price Upfront Cost Minutes Texts Internet
Three £35.00 £69.00 2,000 5,000 All-you-can-eat & free tethering
O2 £37.00 £140.99 600 Unlimited 500MB & free tethering
Orange £35.00 £119.99 600 Unlimited 500MB
T-Mobile £35.75 £99.00 600 Unlimited 500MB
Vodafone £35.00 £139.00 600 Unlimited 500MB

For a Pay Monthly tariff which is comparable to The One Plan in terms of airtime, you’d be looking at paying at least twice as much on other networks:

  • Three: £25/month for “2000 minutes, 5000 texts and all-you-can-eat internet”
  • O2: £70/month for “unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB internet”
  • Orange: £75/month for “3000 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB internet”
  • T-Mobile: £56.17/month for “unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB internet”
  • Vodafone: £50/month for “3000 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB internet”

The One Plan comes with free tethering so you can share your mobile broadband connection with the rest of your devices. Wi-fi hotspot requires iOS 4.3+ or Android 2.2+.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a SIM-only tariff it’s worth seeing whether you really need all those minutes. If you don’t make many calls and you’re unlikely to use tethering, you can save money by opting for a different tariff. Generally there are much cheaper SIM-only tariffs around: for example, you could get 300 minutes, 3000 texts and 1GB internet for £10/month – a fraction of the cost of The One Plan. We’ve got a guide to the UK’s best value SIM-only smartphone tariffs.

Is it possible to get “The One Plan” on an 18 month contract?

Unfortunately it is not possible to get “The One Plan” on an 18-month contract. You must either opt for the 24 month plan with an inclusive phone or the 1 month plan without an inclusive phone.

Does “all-you-can-eat data” have a fair usage policy?

According to Three, there is no fair usage limit for “all-you-can-eat” data.

What’s the coverage like on Three?

You should use the coverage checker on the Three website to ensure you can receive a signal from Three where you live.

How has “The One Plan” changed since its launch?

The One Plan originally launched in July 2010. All-you-can-eat data and free tethering was added for all One Plan customers in December 2010. The most recent update to The One Plan (May 2011) sees the SIM-only version of “The One Plan” becoming a 30-day rolling contract.

I’m switching to The One Plan. Can I keep my existing phone number?

Yes. You’ll need to ask your existing mobile network for a PAC Code. Provide this to Three and they’ll handle the transfer of your phone number. It should take no more than 24 hours to transfer a phone number. Our PAC Code Finder tool will take you through the entire process of switching networks step-by-step.

Where can I get this deal?

The One Plan is available as a SIM-only contract (30-day rolling contract) or standard 24 month Pay Monthly contract through the Three website.

    

About Ken
Ken Lo

My mission is to demystify the world of mobile technology for general audiences and to communicate how mobile technology can enhance every aspect of our daily lives. I've been maintaining the Ken's Tech Tips website since 2004.

I have experience communicating mobile technology and presenting new mobile products both online and offline, including at various trade shows and events. You can check out my profile or drop me an e-mail.

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  • Deals , Mobile , Pay Monthly , SIM Only , Three
  • Comments(23)

23 Responses to “Three’s “One Plan”: 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, all-you-can-eat data & tethering from £25/month”

  1. # mickyon 14 Jul 2010 at 1:15 pm

    On the "Three" One Plan it states 2000 min x network and 5000 texts or Or any combination of both. My understanding on this statement is that you should then have 7000 mins x network if you wanted, does this make sense ? !

  2. # kenstechtipson 14 Jul 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Hi micky,

    Where does it say it's a combination of the two? As far as I can see, you get defined allowance of 2000 minutes and 5000 texts with no flexibility to swap minutes for texts.

    Ken

  3. # mujon 22 Dec 2010 at 11:55 pm

    now internet is all you can it (unlimited) on the one plan

  4. # Kens Tech Tipson 23 Dec 2010 at 1:08 am

    Thanks for the heads up muj; we'll be updating this article as soon as Three post the updated terms and conditions on their website. We're reluctant to write anything about the changes until we've seen the small print to ensure we can write a comprehensive article. There are also a few things we want to check in the terms and conditions before deciding whether to recommend this tariff (mainly to do with what restrictions there are on data usage).

    Thanks

    Ken

  5. # Roxyon 28 Dec 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Be warned with the one plan contract, signed up for the £35 a month one and had my first bill with over £5 of VAT added! so my actual bill is £40, if you look on the websites small print says its subject to VAT change in jan 2011, well seeing as its just been made available and only lasts until begininning of jan this is clearly the biggest con ever, just say its £40 not £35 and in small print not including VAT!!

  6. # Kens Tech Tipson 29 Dec 2010 at 10:59 am

    Hi Roxy,

    All of the prices advertised on the Three website are inclusive of VAT at 17.5%. The VAT rise on the 4th January to 20% will increase prices slightly… more discussed at http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/vat-increase-…

    However, this won't account for a £5/month increase. For some phones (e.g. iPhone), the One Plan is available in two variants: £35/month and £40/month. It is possible that you've either signed up for the wrong one or you've been placed on the wrong one so it's well worth double checking this.

    Ken

  7. # trebsoon 19 Jan 2011 at 10:31 am

    The iPhone 4 deal looks attractive until you see you get a 'refreshed' iPhone – ie pre-used. I'd be worried I'd getting one of the early iPhone4s with aerial trouble.

  8. # Amyon 21 Apr 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Hi Roxy & Ken this has happened on my £35 a month contract too. I got my bill today and it came out at £40 including the VAT! My mate has the same contract and his is £35 inc VAT so I'm going to query it

  9. # Kens Tech Tipson 09 May 2011 at 12:55 am

    9/5/11: Okely doke, article has all been updated for the latest "One Plan" changes. SIM only tariff is now a 1-month rolling contract.

    Ken

  10. # Peteron 06 Jun 2011 at 6:01 pm

    Just phoned Three, your price plan is inclusive of VAT..So if it's a £35 a month that's what you pay. The £40 would have been you started the contract inbetween billing dates, and the additional £5 was the additional days coverage. I.E £40 = an extra 5 days.

  11. # GERRYon 08 Jun 2011 at 7:12 pm

    Did anyone know that when you send a contact number by mms you get charged as a picture message,bad skills 3 nnetwork

  12. # Kens Tech Tipson 09 Jun 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Gerry,

    MMS messages are charged as picture messages – you should opt to send this as a text message instead if at all possible :)

    Ken

  13. # Chris Ton 10 Jun 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Are there any picture messages free within the one plan?

  14. # Kens Tech Tipson 11 Jun 2011 at 12:55 am

    Hi Chris,

    Unfortunately not – these cost 25p on The One Plan. As an alternative, you could send the photo as an email attachment for free.

    Ken

  15. # Beckion 27 Jul 2011 at 3:09 pm

    Is the minutes/texts to any network? anytime

  16. # Kens Tech Tipson 29 Jul 2011 at 10:25 am

    Hi Becki,

    The One Plan features:
    2,000 cross-network minutes
    5,000 same-network minutes
    AND
    5,000 any-network texts

    Hope this helps,

    Ken

  17. # Maryon 20 Aug 2011 at 4:35 pm

    So sending a picture from the mobile to an email address (via mms and not through the email client) is not free?

  18. # Kens Tech Tipson 20 Aug 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Hi Mary,

    Nope – MMS messages are not included on The One Plan. E-mails sent through the e-mail client on your smartphone are totally free though – the picture should also be of a higher quality.

    Ken

  19. # Deniseon 22 Aug 2011 at 2:01 pm

    I'm quite worried about going to 3 as I've heard the reception isnt that great. I've checked the 3 website to check how my signal would be but it's not very helpful! I live in Bournemouth. Can anyone help with how the signal is with 3??

  20. # Kens Tech Tipson 22 Aug 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Hi Denise,

    A really good way of testing 3 signal where you live is to pick up a free SIM card from Three. You can do this at https://www.three.co.uk/Pay_As_You_Go/Free_SIM/Or… or go into a 3Store. Put the SIM card into your current phone and check to make sure you get signal where you live and work :)

    Hope this helps,

    Ken

  21. # Johnnyon 24 Aug 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Ken u are actually pretty ace. This site is loads of help. I was looking for the best mobile broadband I could find but all the networks seem to have hundreds of people complaining about their service or reception or something else. But as far as I can see what ur suggesting is that you can hook your laptop up to your mobile and surf from anywhere?

    Is that what tethering is? And do you happen to know if you can use it on ubuntu? Windows won't work on my ickle notebook here and I really don't want to go back to using it. Blugh.

    Thanks man, totally bookmarking ur site right now.

  22. # Kens Tech Tipson 24 Aug 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Hi Johnny,

    Thanks for your comments! You're right: you can if you're tethering. I've written an in-depth guide on how to do this over at http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/how-to-tether… if you're interested. And providing you're using tethering over wi-fi, it will definitely work on Ubuntu – it'll work on any device which supports wi-fi. That could include your Kindle, your iPod Touch or whatever. No drivers needed.

    Hope this helps!

    Ken

  23. # Benon 21 Oct 2011 at 12:14 pm

    no its not, that is the bill for the first month. Three specifically tells you that you will be charged extra in the first month and then for the other months it goes back to £35 if you don't go outside your contract (mms messaging etc).

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