three, the future, or lack off

Malkav · **three, the future, or lack off -** 12-02-2007, 22:20

anyone reckon three will not be a commercial viable business for much longer, i reckon within the year (poss 2) three will no longer exist but eact part will be broken up and sold off!

anyone agree or disagree?

andy · 13-02-2007, 00:01

In the summer of 1994 I called a phone dealer in a city of over 250,000 people and asked about Orange.

What on earth do you want to get Orange for? he asked, they've got useless coverage and they'll close down within a year.

I called Orange and told them I didn't expect to have Vodafone promoted to me when I called the idiot they had chosen as one of their two agents for the area.

Malkav · 13-02-2007, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy

In the summer of 1994 I called a phone dealer in a city of over 250,000 people and asked about Orange.

What on earth do you want to get Orange for? he asked, they've got useless coverage and they'll close down within a year.

I called Orange and told them I didn't expect to have Vodafone promoted to me when I called the idiot they had chosen as one of their two agents for the area.

yes but three (Uk) constand screwing of there current customers in favor of new one's, crappy cs and limited tech support? i really dont think three will be around much longer! the term 'letting them dig there own graves springs to mind!' i am leaving them in may/ june!

meir · 13-02-2007, 09:57

I think that 3 will stay at least for another 2 or 3 years.

petkow · 13-02-2007, 10:56

A couple of years ago I signed up with 3UK. I had them for 3 days but then realised that I was actually 'roaming' with o2 in practically all of the places I needed them (offices, site, work). That was the end of that.

They have improved a lot, but it is strange how many people I know who are with them still complain about coverage issues in often obvious places (not only whilst travelling). I practically take coverage for granted with the other operators here in the UK.

They have always been able to lure customers in the UK with their generous allowances of free minutes etc. I think the new features such as Skype and the ability to use your free minutes on other 3 networks abroad will continue to entice new customers, but I do not think any of this is really sustainable.

Here in the UK they are operating in a saturated market as we all know. However I think they are still here to stay (at least for the immediate future) but will concentrate their growth elsewhere in the world. UK 3 customers will probably benefit the most as most of the new freebies and sweeteners will be trialed on them.

andy · 13-02-2007, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by petkow

However I think they are still here to stay (at least for the immediate future) but will concentrate their growth elsewhere in the world.

Interestingly, Hutchison have just agreed to sell two-thirds of Hutch Essar in India to Vodafone

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content...sp?men=2&sub=6

petkow · 13-02-2007, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy

Interestingly, Hutchison have just agreed to sell two-thirds of Hutch Essar in India to Vodafone

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content...sp?men=2&sub=6

Well I guess not there!

Yes I noticed that yesterday. On another drift (but related to this forum), since Vodafone have stepped onto the subcontinent, I wonder if roaming rates (and termination costs) there will finally come into line. (I doubt it will ever be a Vodafone passport destination though).

Apart from getting a local SIM (which can be tricky) India does not offer roamers much choice. India is always in the highest cost band on any of the international SIMs.

Malkav · 13-02-2007, 18:30

i dont know i mean now three have abolished roaming costs on its sister networks why not say vodafone or tmobile or 02? may be there saving grace!

	(#1)
Malkav (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 267 Join Date: 09 Jun 2006 Location: Malkavian University Country:	three, the future, or lack off - 12-02-2007, 22:20 anyone reckon three will not be a commercial viable business for much longer, i reckon within the year (poss 2) three will no longer exist but eact part will be broken up and sold off! anyone agree or disagree? Current networks: Orange 3g UK, 3 pay monthly, Virgin pay as you go UK, 3UK payg, Tesco payg, Asda mobile Active phones: Blackberry Torch (02), Google Nexus one (Vodafone) Inactive Sims: Oskar Czech R, BT Genie Pay as you go UK. Spare (unused phones) NEC 616, Ericsson t68/i, Nokia 3310, Sendo m550, Mototorola v66i, Motorola a1000.lg u880, Sony Ericsson t230. Orange spv m5000, Samsung z400, Motorola SLVR (Red)!, lobster tv700, spv m700, prada phone, motorola l7e, Skype phone, siemens sl65, blackberry 8810, Nokia 6500 slide X2.

	(#2)
andy (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Prophet Posts: 2,128 Join Date: 10 Dec 2004 Country:	13-02-2007, 00:01 In the summer of 1994 I called a phone dealer in a city of over 250,000 people and asked about Orange. What on earth do you want to get Orange for? he asked, they've got useless coverage and they'll close down within a year. I called Orange and told them I didn't expect to have Vodafone promoted to me when I called the idiot they had chosen as one of their two agents for the area.

	(#4)
meir (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 269 Join Date: 21 Feb 2006 Location: It's long story Country:	13-02-2007, 09:57 I think that 3 will stay at least for another 2 or 3 years.

	(#5)
petkow (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 696 Join Date: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Madrid Country:	13-02-2007, 10:56 A couple of years ago I signed up with 3UK. I had them for 3 days but then realised that I was actually 'roaming' with o2 in practically all of the places I needed them (offices, site, work). That was the end of that. They have improved a lot, but it is strange how many people I know who are with them still complain about coverage issues in often obvious places (not only whilst travelling). I practically take coverage for granted with the other operators here in the UK. They have always been able to lure customers in the UK with their generous allowances of free minutes etc. I think the new features such as Skype and the ability to use your free minutes on other 3 networks abroad will continue to entice new customers, but I do not think any of this is really sustainable. Here in the UK they are operating in a saturated market as we all know. However I think they are still here to stay (at least for the immediate future) but will concentrate their growth elsewhere in the world. UK 3 customers will probably benefit the most as most of the new freebies and sweeteners will be trialed on them.

	(#8)
Malkav (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 267 Join Date: 09 Jun 2006 Location: Malkavian University Country:	13-02-2007, 18:30 i dont know i mean now three have abolished roaming costs on its sister networks why not say vodafone or tmobile or 02? may be there saving grace! Current networks: Orange 3g UK, 3 pay monthly, Virgin pay as you go UK, 3UK payg, Tesco payg, Asda mobile Active phones: Blackberry Torch (02), Google Nexus one (Vodafone) Inactive Sims: Oskar Czech R, BT Genie Pay as you go UK. Spare (unused phones) NEC 616, Ericsson t68/i, Nokia 3310, Sendo m550, Mototorola v66i, Motorola a1000.lg u880, Sony Ericsson t230. Orange spv m5000, Samsung z400, Motorola SLVR (Red)!, lobster tv700, spv m700, prada phone, motorola l7e, Skype phone, siemens sl65, blackberry 8810, Nokia 6500 slide X2.