If you’ve been shopping around for a new phone contract or SIM-only deal, chances are you’ve come across Three. It’s one of the UK’s big four mobile networks, alongside EE, Vodafone, and O2 — and it also powers smaller providers like SMARTY and iD Mobile.
But the real question is: is it actually any good?
What Three Does Really Well
Unlimited data
This is where Three stands out. Unlike some rivals that sneak in speed caps or limits, Three’s unlimited plans are genuinely unlimited. If you’re someone who streams Netflix on the go, hot-spots your laptop, or plays online games, it’s a massive plus.
Fast, widespread 5G
Three’s 5G coverage has expanded quickly, and in a lot of independent tests it comes out as one of the fastest in the UK. And the best part? It’s included at no extra cost.
Roaming perks
Three’s Go Roam feature lets you use your plan abroad in over 70 destinations, including the USA and Australia. Most networks only cover the EU, so this is a big win if you travel.
Rewards and extras
Three also has the Three+ app, which gives you discounts on things like food, cinema tickets, and live events. It’s not a reason to pick Three on its own, but it’s a nice bonus.
Phone contracts
Unlike MVNOs such as SMARTY, Three sells the latest phones on contract — from iPhones and Samsungs to Google Pixels — with finance options that can spread the cost.
49 Roaming Destinations
12GB
Åland Islands (Finland)
Austria
Azores (Portugal)
Balearic Islands (Spain)
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canary Islands (Spain)
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
French Guiana
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Jersey
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madeira (Portugal)
Malta
Martinique
Mayotte
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Réunion
Romania
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Martin
San Marino (Italy)
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City
163 Roaming Destinations
12GB
Åland Islands (Finland)
Austria
Azores (Portugal)
Balearic Islands (Spain)
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canary Islands (Spain)
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
French Guiana
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Jersey
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madeira (Portugal)
Malta
Martinique
Mayotte
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Réunion
Romania
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Martin
San Marino (Italy)
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City
Australia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Hong Kong (China)
Indonesia
Macao (China)
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Singapore
Sri Lanka
United States of America (USA)
Uruguay
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vietnam
Albania
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba (Netherlands Antilles)
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
China
Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles)
Cyprus, North (Turkey)
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Faroe Islands
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Greenland
Grenada
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Myanmar
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Paraguay
Qatar
Rwanda
Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles)
Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles)
South Africa
South Korea
Suriname
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Uzbekistan
Zambia
Where Three Could Do Better
Of course, it’s not perfect.
- Coverage in rural areas can sometimes lag behind EE and Vodafone. In big towns and cities, it’s great, but in the countryside you might find the signal less reliable.
- Roaming isn’t always free. While Go Roam covers loads of countries, there’s now a small daily charge for using your UK allowance abroad in many destinations.
- Customer service has had mixed reviews. It’s improving, but EE and O2 tend to score higher in satisfaction surveys.
Who Three Is Best For
Three is a fantastic option if:
- You’re a heavy data user who hates limits.
- You travel abroad regularly and want roaming beyond Europe.
- You like having the choice of contract phones as well as SIM-only plans.
- You want a balance of good value and big-network features.
If you just want the absolute cheapest SIM with no extras, something like SMARTY (also powered by Three) could be a better fit. But if you want the full package — unlimited data, roaming perks, and a shiny new phone if you fancy it — Three itself is hard to beat.
The bottom line:
Yes, Three is good — especially for people who live in towns or cities, love using data, and travel often. It may not be perfect in rural coverage or customer service, but for most users, it’s one of the strongest options out there.
