Throughout my time at Three, I’ve been part of some really exciting changes and developments. From the launch of the UK’s first mass-market £10 Mobile Broadband package, to our role in the Terminate the Rate campaign to fight for fairer mobile pricing, and supporting Skype when no other operator would. We’ve done a lot that I’m proud of.
But there’s one thing that by far and away gets me the most excited, and it’s what our network was designed for.
We know that the language of megabytes, gigabytes and fair usage policies can be confusing, so we wanted to make a change that meant people didn’t need to worry about it. That change came in the form of all-you-can-eat data on The One Plan, and your response has been overwhelming.
The One Plan is by far our biggest selling plan, and if you’re one of those customers already on it, we really do want you to be using all-you-can-eat data to its full potential.
New smartphone functionality has meant that your phone is capable of so much more than simply letting you update your Facebook status when you’re on the move. That’s why we’ve squeezed as much value as possible into our hero offer The One Plan, as well as taking the decision to incorporate tethering in the package.
That means you can use your smartphone to connect other devices to the internet, either by switching on your phone’s Personal Hotspot functionality so that it sends out a WiFi signal, or by connecting your phone to a device via a USB connection – you might know this as ‘tethering’ or ‘using your phone as a modem’.
We’ve also launched a SIM Only version of The One Plan for just £25 a month. Just like our hero 24 month version, SIM Only comes with tethering as part of the package, as well as loads of minutes, texts, and all-you-can-eat data.
Some other networks are cutting back on data and internet allowances, but we’ve worked hard to get The One Plan right. We want you to really make the most your smartphone’s functionality, so we’re encouraging you to tether as much as you need to – without worrying about the cost.
So The One Plan has been our priority in the first half of this year. It’s where we’ve focussed our attention, but it’s now time for us to be looking at data and tethering across the rest of our plans.
We know you have questions about the future of tethering and data on Pay As You Go and our other contract plans as tethering isn’t allowed on these at the moment, but there’s a lot of work and number-crunching for us to do behind the scenes - we’re looking at what’s possible, but we’re not there yet.
There’s a page on our website which spells things out – take a look if you’re unsure about how you can use the data on your current plan.
It’s my job to make sure we’re there every step of the way as the demand for smartphone data grows. We can’t do it all overnight, but we’re working hard on it.
893 Responses to Tethering your smartphone on Three.
Moderator: Lauren 23/05/2013
@Mo Have you tried rebooting your phone and resetting your network settings? How long have you been on the One Plan?
Mo 22/05/2013
I was on old plan sim 300. I used to buy all u can eat data adds on, but I couldn’t use my phone as a modem. so I have just switched to one plan sim, only because I wanted to use internet on my laptob. But unfortunetly It doesn’t work for me, and I have the same problem as before. I’m so upset.
Matt 21/05/2013
I’ve been using an app called ttorrent for downloading the odd music tracks since October last year, only recently I noticed that whilst using it, it was accusing me of tethering and suggested that I turned phone on and off and it suspended my Internet till I did this. Wondered if anyone else had this problem
Moderator: Lauren 21/05/2013
@John – tethering is only included on the One Plan or with a tethering add on. You can check what type of add on you have via My3.
John 21/05/2013
Hi I am on the Text 500 plan with internet add on. i was able to tether this to my tablet and it worked fine. Is this data usage included in my plan please.
Moderator: Lauren 21/05/2013
@Martin – We don’t have a heavy user policy at the moment.
Martin 20/05/2013
Hi Nicki, thanks for the reply. So, being as I do not use P2P, will I ever be effected then given the estimated usage (40-50GB month roughly) and between the times 3pm and 12 midnight. Last thing I want is to sign up for 24 month contract and have blinding service only to find that 1 month later I get throttled. I need a figure of what 3 say is fair usage and what services they count that against. And your reply to Andrew Spring say there are no limits, so is that really the case?
Thanks
Moderator: Nicki 20/05/2013
@Martin – Hi there, the only aspect we manage at the moment is P2P file sharing. We do not ‘throttle’ speeds but within our terms we do reserve the right to run a traffic management policy.
As you know this info can be found at Three.co.uk/Traffic
Moderator: Nicki 20/05/2013
@andrew spring – Hi there, there’s no limits on the One Plan for tethering. Check our guide at Three.co.uk/tethering
Martin 19/05/2013
Hi, I have been advised that on the One Plan with the phone I can teather to my home network and use to replace my landline BB. I asked several time is Three throttle’s data and told each time ‘no’. But tonight I find you use TrafficSense, so that could end up throttling data. I can use anything from 30gb to 50gb or so a month (and if we get a new smart tv, it will be more than that), but not ever file sharing, it’s things like iplayer, youtube, online backup, access to my server (stream music and photo’s to and from when out) and internet. I really am so close to getting my 2nd and 3rd contracts with you, both on one plan, so please sell it to me!
I have been singing the praises for Three as the download speed on my ipad is hitting the 20mb rate, so thats why I want to ditch the landline!
andrew spring 19/05/2013
hi is the one plan unlimited tethering as i would use it for streaming alot or is there a fair usage policy and if so what is the limit please help with this thanyou
Moderator: Nicki 17/05/2013
@Alison Bowdrey – Hi there, I’ve checked with our tech guys and the addon takes 24 hours to activate on your account so you’ll find it won’t work until then.
Alison Bowdrey 17/05/2013
I purchased the tethering add-on for my Ultimate Internet 500 plan yesterday and My3 says it’s active but I still have the tethering block page enable so I cannot use my add-on. Can you please advise, I chose to use tethering as a cheap way of getting internet on my laptop while I am in onsite accommodation for work. Very unhappy that I’m still being blocked after I have purchased the add-on which you advertise as a solution to tethering at £5 extra a month.
Thanks in Advance
Moderator: Nicki 13/05/2013
@Dan – Hi there, sorry that you’re unhappy with this however this is correct I’m afraid. You’d only be able to move to the One Plan at the end of your contract. Remember that if it’s the AYCE data you’re after there’s an addon for all price plans.
Dan 11/05/2013
Just wondering why i cant change my plan to “The One Plan”. I am on Internet 500 and would like to change plan but i cannot apparently even though i am happy to pay the extra each month. 3 obviously don’t want my money which is an odd business model.
Moderator: Lauren 07/05/2013
@Simon – sorry to read this. Tethering is allowed on the One Plan or with an add on, if you’re having issues our technical team will look in to this. I’m afraid 72 hours is the currently service level they’re working to, they’ll get it sorted as soon as they can.
Simon 06/05/2013
Have been tethering on the ONE PLAN for a number of months.This morning whilst surfing facebook on my ipad through my note2(official tether) I get the generic tethering blocked message .It advised me to contact three on 333.Since then I have not been able to tether even after rebooting both devices as advised .Threes technical team are looking into it but could take up to 72 hours to remedy.Errrrrrghh .
Doing my head in as to why it just blocked me out like that with no explanation.I am paying for tether on the one plan so what the heck is going on !??!???
Moderator: Johanna 29/04/2013
@JD – We include tethering as standard on some of our plans, with all-you-can-eat data too. Give the team on 333 a call and they’ll be able to add the tethering add-on to your plan.
JD 28/04/2013
Where can I get a tethering add on? I am on the Sim 300 plan, but cannot see that under my options.
Three really need to get their act together, all the other networks like O2, and Vodafone include tethering as standard.
Since the internet quota is set there really is no reason why Three should not be doing the same.
Stop being so greedy and start thinking about providing value to your clients, otherwise companies like EE are going to start looking like a good alternative!
Ellie 10/04/2013
@Marty – Hi Marty, we have no news to share on this at the present time but we’ll be sure to keep customers updated if this changes in future.
Marty 10/04/2013
Lauren
Thanks for the reply but you’ve not answered the question. I’m fully aware that I could pay even more money to add tethering but as the initial post said “So The One Plan has been our priority in the first half of this year. It’s where we’ve focussed our attention, but it’s now time for us to be looking at data and tethering across the rest of our plans.”
So any news on when or even if this is going to happen.
Moderator: Lauren 09/04/2013
Hi Jim – tethering isn’t included in all you can eat. More info can be foundhere.”> here.
Moderator: Lauren 09/04/2013
@Marty – we have a tethering add on available for most other plans.
Moderator: Lauren 09/04/2013
@Phil – sorry you were misinformed. Unless you’re on the One Plan or using a tethering add on you should never have been allowed to tether in the first place. Our T&C’s on all you can eat can be found here.
Jim Smith 09/04/2013
Been using 3 phones/network happily for many many years now and have used tethering for nearly as long. After renewing my contract recently, i am rewarded with a block on tethering and told i can have 2gb for an extra £5 a month on an “all you can eat data” contract. This “all you can eat” statement is now only partially true and is certainly misleading in my opinion. It seems like a petty, penny pinching tactic to me and i personally will not be upgrading to the miraculous “One Plan”. Anyway, if this block isn’t removed soon this shall be my last contract with 3. Poor show 3, poor show. Cheers Jim
technology 08/04/2013
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Marty 08/04/2013
“So The One Plan has been our priority in the first half of this year. It’s where we’ve focussed our attention, but it’s now time for us to be looking at data and tethering across the rest of our plans.”
copied this from the post above, so is there any news about bringing tethering to other plans that have all you can eat data.
Phil 08/04/2013
I a really not happy with 3, I upgraded my phone in Dec and was told I would be able to continue tethering by the shop staff. After 4 months I get the tethering block. I rang 3 and the rep told me he had spoken to shop they denied telling me tethering was allowed. I have a witness to the conversation in the shop. I have been a 3 customer for several years. Tethering charge is a rip off. I will be leaving 3 and taking the 4 other contracts in my house with me.
Moderator: Johanna 08/04/2013
@Ewen – Tethering is included in our One Plans…
Ewen 08/04/2013
Can’t help but agree with Dougie. Most other oporators don’t charge twice and for me it’s a deal breaker. Been with three for many years but this is the end. If I upgrade the tethering is not included and I’m not willing to pay extra when I can change operators and get a better deal with tethering included.
Dougie 06/04/2013
Tethering charges. What a total scam. There’s no reason what so ever for charging us twice for our data, it’s day light robbery.
Ellie 05/04/2013
@Kay – Sorry to hear this Kay. We’d recommend giving the team a call on 333 to discuss this, they can run some diagnostics and find out why the tethering block is still activated.
Ros 04/04/2013
@Ian – Hi there, tethering is only included if you’re on the One Plan or One Plan SIM only. However, you should be able to buy a tethering add-on with most plans, which you buy on a monthly basis for £5. More details here: http://support.three.co.uk/srvs/cgi-bin/webisapi.dll?command=new,kb=mobile,ts=mobile,t=article,varset_cat=internetapps,varset_subcat=3582,case=obj(3599),varset_username=Mobile:mobileUser&typeSearch=’tethering*’ Hope that helps.
Kay 03/04/2013
Hi; I have bought the tethering add-on and although it says its active my internt access to my computer has still been blocked. Why is this and how can this get sorted!?
Ian 03/04/2013
Hi,
I’m on the SIM 300 1 month plan with all you can eat data- how can I tether my phone to use my iPad?
Thanks
Ian
Moderator: Lauren 01/04/2013
@Catherine – it can take 24 hours to activate, have you tried resetting your network settings?
Catherine 31/03/2013
Hi in on a month rollin sim only using Nokia lumia 620, i applied the tethering add on to my contract yesterday online, it says active in my, my3 account but when I try connect to the laptop its still got the tethering block on please help iv taken the sim out and left phone off like it says on the support web page and when i call 333 that’s what in told to do but its still not working
Catherine 31/03/2013
Hi in on a month rolling contract i applied the tethering add on, it says its active but when i try to go on my laptop it says there’s a tethering block, i applied it yesterday and its been active since yesterday evening, can anyone help?
Ros 27/03/2013
@Stuart – Yes you’re fine to do that, long as you have All You Can Eat on the One Plan, tethering is included
stuart 26/03/2013
Hi im on the one plan that allows thethering am I ok to use the for my ps3 .for gamming ? Or will I be told to stop ?
Moderator: Johanna 25/03/2013
@Ryan Lloyd – Sorry to hear you’re having a few network issues. The best way to get this sorted is to chat to the team on 333, they can troubleshoot for you.
Ryan lloyd 22/03/2013
Hey there im on the one plan and i use it to tethering to my xbox 360 and its way too slow even my internet to extreamly slow i dont know why this is im using an iphone 4 and ive got 4 blocks in the corner and them most i can get in kbps is 500 or less but on my sisters plan on tmoblie shes on 3-4 mbps with no teathering included but she can still tether ive been with 3 now for a year and a bit and i just want u to answer me its not a superfast network at the moment its superslow please comment or write back im intrested in what 3 has to say thank u
Ellie 22/03/2013
@Rob – Hi Rob, tethering is only allowed on the One Plan, we have systems in place that prevent tethering if your plan does not support this. If you’d like to tether on your device in future, you’ll need to purchase a tehering add-on in My3.