3 Sim Only
3 offer pay as you go and contract Sim only deals. The contract Sim only deals are for 30 days. Unlike the other mobile communication providers, they do not currently offer annual or eighteen month contracts on Sim only deals.
Their current key differentiator from the other mobile communication providers is that they offer Skype to Skype calls on their phones. However many of the new touch screen phones can now access widgets that can do this.
Any Extras with 3 Sim Only?
If you also buy your pay as you go mobile from 3, you can also add a limited version of the 3 TV service. Which provides the four channels: ITV1, Kiss, Geek TV and MTV Trax.
The Skype to Skype free calls is certainly attractive to many as is the free MsWindows Live Messenger chats. Free Twitter and free Facebook access has recently been added.
The History and 3 Sim Only
3 is the brand name under which several UMTS based mobile phone networks are operated in Australia, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Hong Kong and Macau, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Hutchison Whampoa owns the majority interest in the UK 3 network.
As of 20 August 2008, registered 3 customers worldwide numbered over 19 million which makes 3 the smallest of the UK mobile service providers.
It is also the newest, earning its license on 3/3/3 or 3rd March 2003. Also in 2003, it launched the UK’s first video mobile network for the mobile media market. With its new 3G licence, 3 undertook the fastest UK network rollout in the UK and they met their license regulatory requirements three years ahead of schedule.
In 2006, 3 purchased 95 high street shops from O2, 274 from The Link and 22 shops that were under the O2 banner. On January 11th 2007, just after the Christmas rush 3 closed 107 of the stores.
By the end of 2005, 3 had nearly 4 million customers on its network and was the largest 3G network in the UK with more 3G subscribers than all the other UK networks put together.
What About The 3 Sim Only Network.
3 have the UK’s largest 3G network but the current coverage is only 92.5% as at 2009. They are aiming to increase this to 98% by the end of 2010, which still leaves some remote areas without 3G coverage from 3.
The 3G network is designed for the mobile call and internet services and they are aiming to offer more internet based brands as they increase their business range.
3 Sim Only – The Way Forward
3 are renowned for being cheaper than other UK networks and their pay as you go, monthly contracts for their mobile broadband dongles are their cheapest on the market, and their 3 Sim only deals do not reach the high prices that the other networks charge.
They achieve these prices by having few retail outfits and using telephone only support and sales environments that are mostly based off shore. This means that they have a disadvantage against other mobile phone and communications providers and they rely upon their pricing and internet services. What problems this will cause to their expansion are unknown and to be seen in the 2010’s.
