3's 'Flext killer'

[nuttyphilt]

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content/16925.asp?men=0&sub=1

3 is launching its new Mix&Match tariff on 1 October which a source said has internally been dubbed as 'Flext killer'.

As tipped by Mobile (31 August), the new deal will offer more value to customers opting for a cheaper handset and will help 3 bolster its margins with customers paying towards their handset.

The tariffs come in 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1100 bundles and customers can use their allocation in texts or minutes as they choose.

For example, a customer on the Mix&Match 300 will have 300 minutes to spend and they can divide it up in texts and minutes as they choose, with each text equalling one minute from the allowance.

The bundles vary between £15 and £27 and customers on all tariffs will get 300 free 3 to 3 minutes.

Customers will then be able to choose a video pack and their handset and the price will vary depending on what handset they choose. The Nokia 6288, 6151 and Sony Ericsson K530i will be free on all tariffs. For an extra £2 a month, the Nokia 6120, Sony Ericsson Z610i, K800i and W660i will be free and the user will get 20 3 to 3 video minutes a month.

The most users will pay on the new tariffs is £32 a month, which includes 1100 minutes, 300 3 to 3 minutes, 150 3 to 3 video minutes and a Nokia N95.

'Now we can target consumers with offers that better meet their needs and take share from other operators,' 3 said in a Mix&Match presentation.

Dealers have welcomed the new tariff and said it will rival T-Mobile's Flext. 'I think it is a fantastic set of tariffs and if the customer wants a better handset, now they are going to have to make a contribution.'

[squawkBOX]

Surely that article should say:

"The most users will pay on the new tariffs is £42 a month, which includes 1100 minutes." (rather than £32).

I think its a good step forward as its difficult for customers to know exactly what they are going to use each month. It also means that you now have to pay more towards the type of handset you want, rather than focusing on the Price Plan.

I'm interested to see more info on what the "video packs" are. I'd like to see inclusive data somewhere - however I suppose having it at £5 with X-Series is as good as its going to get.

[seaniboy]

free 3 to 3 mins - you can tell that aussie guys at 3 UK as C exec

[DaveC]

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content/16925.asp?men=0&sub=1

For example, a customer on the Mix&Match 300 will have 300 minutes to spend and they can divide it up in texts and minutes as they choose, with each text equalling one minute from the allowance.



Whilst on Flex 2 Texts equate to 1 minute

[teejay]

Im on personalised plan flext 35 equilavent but it wasnt enough so i was seriously contemplating on jumping ship (t-mobile) for more minutes.

So considering that these tariffs are great as it should stop others like in my situation having to leaving 3 so well done guys!

[Alonso14]

Any news on whether these will be available on 12 month contracts, as no length is specified?

[cupid stunt]

i wonder if i still have to fork out £25 to change to one of these tariffs?

[n80user]

only on offer for upgrades and new deals for now so you cant change to them mid contract

[old bill]

Its quite a good package pity it wont make up for the lousy coverage and dreadfull C/S. Till those are sorted out I cannot see any real gains for 3.

[L0sT]

Whilst on Flex 2 Texts equate to 1 minute

I am currently on 3's personalised plan (Flext 35 equilavent), and 2 texts equates to 1mms or 1 voice minute.

[lWes]

New PricePlan

1 txt = 1 mins

£12 - 100 unit and 300 mins 3 to3
£15 - 300 unit and 300 mins 3 to3
£18 - 500 unit and 300 mins 3 to3
£21 - 700 unit and 300 mins 3 to3
£24 - 900 unit and 300 mins 3 to3
£27 - 1100 unit and 300 mins 3 to3

Plus If you want to get free Phone you will need to take the Video Pack Add on
£0 - Nokia 6288 or 6151
£2 - 20 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (SE Z610i, Nokia 6120,)
£3 - 30 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (SE K530i and W660)
£5 - 50 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (SE K770i)
£7 - 70 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (E65i and ???)
£9 - 90 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (LG U990/SE K850i/ SE W910i)
£15 - 150 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (N95)

[andros1963]

just upgraded.....my nokia 6120 arrives today but my new tariff doesnt start until 6th oct can i change to the new flext killer on monday?

[cupid stunt]

IWes so if i wanted a cheap second contract for a LG KU990 i'd go

£12 - 100 unit and 300 mins 3 to3

+

£9 - 90 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (LG U990/SE K850i/ SE W910i)

are these 12 or 18 months btw?

[Mr T]

These are 18 month contracts

[lWes]

IWes so if i wanted a cheap second contract for a LG KU990 i'd go

£12 - 100 unit and 300 mins 3 to3

+

£9 - 90 Mins Video Call 3 to 3 (LG U990/SE K850i/ SE W910i)

are these 12 or 18 months btw?

18mnths

Bas News they just decided not to release the £12 (100mins)

[L0sT]

I am still trying to figure out if I got a better deal back then in February compare to this offer.

£26 - 900 units (with 2 txts = 1 min)

and a FREE SE w950i


.

[boab2791]

I had a Live Chat discussion with a 3 Rep last night from the sales team regarding the omission of PIcture Messaging from these new tariffs. He was very evasive on the matter and in the end eventually confirmed they are not included in either the Voice side or the Video Side of the package.

I am due to ealry upgrade from the 12th onwards but don;t like these new tariffs much as they would force me to purchase video minutes I have no intention of using.

Before hand I wouldn't have minded paying a nominal fee for the handset of my choice, in my case going to be either the Nokia N95 or wait for the Sony Ericsson K850i, but why should I have to pay £12 extra for something I'm not going to use, been with 3 for just over 2 years and I have barely made any video calls, if picture messaging was included in that side then possibly but not now as I told the 3 Rep T-Mobile seems to represent better value for me now.

I was on VTT1100 until a few months back when I downgraded to DTT950, but I have now started to use my tariff to the max excluding video calling, I pay £25 per month for 750 texts, 150 minutes, 25 MMS, 25 Video Mins and £5 downloads. The new plan MM900 doesn't compare well with this.

If I put it another way if I where to get the N95 I would be paying £12 per month for video, £24 for MM900 and if I wanted Internet, £5 per month, thats £41 and there is no pic messages, say I wanted to send 25 MMS then that would a further £6 bringing the bill to £46. I know you get 300 mins to other 3 users but only my bruv & folks are on 3 so no loss there and the video minutes will be restricted to 3 to 3 users, was that the same as before?

They say this is internally known as "Flext Killer", not so I think. I can get an N95 for £20 initial outlay and be on there Web'n'walk Flext 35 package for £37.50 a month, giving me around 400 mins, 1000 texts and 50 MMS, free VM, unlimited texts or calls at weekends (can't remember which) and 1gb internet usage similar to 3's Internet offering. Having access to messenger clients doesn't bother me.

I would like to stay with 3 but I think a lot of users may turn on them for this tariff change. They may look good but on closer examination may not be so!

[ajb3000]

I'm wondering what happens to users on existing tariffs wanting to upgrade? I'm currently on Direct VTT500 with Free Internet 30MB (an offer when I bought my N80). This tariff is perfect for my use giving me enough free minutes, texts, mms, video calls (to any network), internet access and even £5 of free downloads from their portal, so I will definitely not be changing to the new tariffs which would end up costing me more. However, my contract expires in about 3 months and I want an N95 (preferably 8GB version but doubt they'll release it). Now, what will the cost to upgrade be? Will they make me pay a monthly fee, or a one off fee? Or will I not be allowed to upgrade at all?

[n80user]

The 8GB N95 is in the new 3 book as 'Coming Soon'

[Chelseagirl]

I'm in exactly the same position as Boab2791. I've contacted 3 re upgrading and staying on my current plan - the VTT1400. They are still wanting to charge me £50 for the N95, whereas I can get it free on 02 and Vodaphone on a £30 plan. So goodness knows what they'll want to charge me for the LGU990 or the N95 8gb when they do come out on 3.

If I change plan to get the U990, if it does cost £9 extra per month on the new plans, as iwes said, I will be paying £35 per month (£21 + £9 + £5 for XSeries) for a plan with useless video minutes and no picture messaging, and half as many minutes/texts as I have at the moment (400 mins, 1000 texts, 25 mms, 25 video, £5 downloads).

I would like to stay with 3, but not on those terms.

[sweetice2007]

the £12 will be on offer very soon.

[Sicknote]

Just to let some of you know that should have my N95 tomorrow and got it on the Mix and Match 700 with the £5 ad on for video minutes = £26 ( phone for free ;) )

I dont think that is to bad and if I go up to 900, it will cost £29= £24 + £5 video.

[boab2791]

Where you upgrading or new contract, i ask becuase for new contract web site only has the £12 video minutes option, nothing else?

[Sicknote]

Upgrading so I only get 50 messages that I will not use :rolleyes: but when I look at what I get the phone for ;)

[boab2791]

@ Sicknote

You say 50 messages, as in MMS messages. How do yo get these, the video side of the tariff has been confirmed to me as video call minutes and not messages.

Seems everybody is being told something different.

Might pop in to my local 3 store today to see what they have to say on the issue.

[Sicknote]

@ Sicknote

You say 50 messages, as in MMS messages. How do yo get these, the video side of the tariff has been confirmed to me as video call minutes and not messages.

Seems everybody is being told something different.

Might pop in to my local 3 store today to see what they have to say on the issue.

Sorry if I was not clear as it is video messages :dead:
Someone on the forum said they got 50 mms messages for free but I could not get them as I do use them some times.
For what I am paying if I do use one or two, it will not make a big difference as I am not paying £26 instead of £35 plus have the N95 :D

My old phone is the N73 so I will have a good fall back if I need it:rolleyes:

[sonoi]

Hi Sicknote, you got a good deal! 18 month contract i take it? And also, where do you do the upgrade, over the phone or in the 3 store?

My 3 contract is due for upgrade now and all I been offered when I call 3 customer service is the same deal as new customers, no discounts or anything, even though I been with them for 3 years and have always good a deal during upgrade time! Where's the loyalty reward...tut tut...

[Sicknote]

Hi Sonoi

I got my upgrade from the retentions team on the phone, options 1-5-3 and you might have to give them a bit of a push;)

Good luck

[Chelseagirl]

Nice one, Sicknote!
I gave it a go, and asked to give 30 days' notice, and ended up with 700 units at £21 and N95 for £7, with 70 3-to-3 video minutes, instead of £15. So with the unlimited internet add on, £33 all in a month, which is within my budget and so I'm happy with that. Now just got to work out how to use the N95...!!

[Sicknote]

Hi Chelseagirl

It also helps that I have been with 3uk since August 03 :eek: :speechles

I must be mad ( some of you are thinking ):rolleyes:

[sonoi]

Thanks for that Sicknote. I tried, but was told the N95 would cost me £200 just for the handset, they wouldn't budge, and got offered same deal as new customer once again. And i've been with them for 3 years!

Chelseagirl, looks like you got a good deal!

Let me try one more time, will definately put the 30 days' notice in now if no good deal...

[Chelseagirl]

Hi Chelseagirl

It also helps that I have been with 3uk since August 03 :eek: :speechles

I must be mad ( some of you are thinking ):rolleyes:

January 04 for me, which is probably why it's costing me £2 more!! Still, I'm happy with £28 (plus the internet access, of course). Just hope I can use it properly - I think everyone can expect some stupid questions from me in the next week or so!! :o

[boab2791]

I popped into mu local 3 Store, they wrer actually very helpful,its a relatively new store.

They confirmed that Pic Messages are not included but they amongst other stores are flagging this to 3 Ops as a possible flaw in the plans. He (Mgr) advised me to hold off until November in case they change the structure again.

I advised him that T-Mobile seems better value for me now and he was shocked when i told him wha the Flext 35 tariff coud give me, he and all his staff have been told to advise customers that T-Mobile charge 55p per minute, i advised him his info was duff, its 20p per minute. Again he said he would check that out and rectify his instructions to staff if needed.

The old tariff structure still exists, there just not actively selling it any longer but we can still select them if needed but I think that needs to be instore or phone. To get the N95 on my existing tariff he said would cost me £200, to move to Direct Text 1400 it would be £99.

I said I was due to early upgrade any point from the 12th onwards so we shall see what happens although to entice me that bit he said he has the N95 in stock, mmm.....

[Sicknote]

I think everyone can expect some stupid questions from me in the next week or so!! :o

You will not get any from me :rolleyes: ;)

[Chelseagirl]

The old tariff structure still exists, there just not actively selling it any longer but we can still select them if needed but I think that needs to be instore or phone. To get the N95 on my existing tariff he said would cost me £200, to move to Direct Text 1400 it would be £99

I was on DT1400 and was told it would be £99 as well. I didn't get offered anything else until I said I would consider changing to the new tariffs. Tbh, I don't send many picture messages, and for the minimal amount I do send, I am prepared to pay the 25p.

[1000Killahurts]

Hi Chelseagirl

It also helps that I have been with 3uk since August 03 :eek: :speechles

I must be mad ( some of you are thinking ):rolleyes:

Mad? No way

I've been with 3 since day one (3.3.03) and am on the original founder member caboodle package - am I the only one left?

I think 3 are great and people paying over the odds for Voda Orange 02 and T mobile are the mad ones....

[joffa81]

Mad? No way

I've been with 3 since day one (3.3.03) and am on the original founder member caboodle package - am I the only one left?

I think 3 are great and people paying over the odds for Voda Orange 02 and T mobile are the mad ones....

ive been with Three since the very start i got the talk 700 tariff and then increased my tariff 6 months later to talk & text 900 and stayed there ever since.

im abit dissapointed that most tariffs are 18 months now but saying that ive been on a 12 month one for 4 years now but it was hard work to get a 12 month one last year Three only agreed as long as i kept my original tariff and i think this year will be even harder to get a 12 month contract this time.

if i have to take a 18 month one i will barter hard as i would like to get my bill down from £45 per month to about £20-£25 without effevting the amount of mins and text i have. just waiting for a decent handset that i like to replace my K800i now cause im not too keen on the Nokia N95 hopefully the K850i will be out soon and preferably the green backlit one not the blue.

[Sicknote]

I dont think I am mad staying with the network that has brought the prices down across all the networks ;) :D

On whole I have been very happy with 3 and as I have just sign a new 18 month contract, I will not be going any where soon :)

[Chelseagirl]

I dont think I am mad staying with the network that has brought the prices down across all the networks ;) :D

On whole I have been very happy with 3 and as I have just sign a new 18 month contract, I will not be going any where soon :)

Likewise, but I think you need to be lucky - I have great coverage so very few dropped calls, and have been fortunate not to have to contact CS very often, except to upgrade. I can imagine that if you had major problems and live in a blackspot, it would all be very frustrating, especially since they changed the 14 day thing.

[StuBFrost]

I am hoping to join 3 as soon as my contract with t-mobile expires at the end of October. Since I don't know what coverage is like, I am getting hold of a pay as you go 3 sim to try in my unlocked 3g phone.

[boab2791]

According to 3's latest instore brochure the K850i they will be stocking is the Blue Backlit model and not the Green version as detailed in the Coming Soon back inside page.