3 Mobile News

Started by BT and 3 Mobile UK earlier this year, Terminate the Rate is aiming to reduce Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) to reflect their actual cost. If you’re unsure when it comes to your MTRs, have a look at this post which sums it all up.

The campaign to date has been a great success. Since starting in May the petition has gained over 114,000 signatures, been joined by 258 Members of Parliament and gained the support of over 60 organisations, businesses and councils.

And today, Terminate the Rate will be handing in their petition to regulatory body Ofcom, a significant landmark for the campaign. The news has been covered by the BBC and The Independent, both of which feature the reaction of John Petter, MD Consumer, BT Retail:

“This petition is only the first stage in an ongoing campaign to show how MTRs stifle competition and increase the cost of calling mobiles – our goal remains for them to be set according to what they actually cost.”

We’re keen supporters of the initiative – after all, it’s all about giving consumers a fair deal – and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the outcome of the support the campaign has gathered.

Fresh off the back of their recent awards success, and having barely had a chance to dust off their tuxedos or polish their dancing shoes, 3 are heading to the T3 Gadget Awards tonight.

Although T3 don’t have any awards for mobile networks themselves, 3 will nonetheless be paying close attention, particularly when the Phone of the Year winner is announced.

After all, they currently carry 3 of the 10 nominated handsets – theSony Ericsson C905, the Blackberry Bold and the Nokia N97. It’s a competitive category, with the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone 3GS also vying for the gong.

Further special mention should go to Blackberry Bold who are not only up for Phone of the Year, but also nominated for Commuter Gadget, Gadget You Can’t Live Without and Work Gadget of the Year.

You can have a look at all the shortlists here.

At the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards 2009 3 Mobile UK triumphed taking home the title for best mobile broadband package.

It was the bundle of a Samsung N130 netbook with a 15GB data allowance and 100 free texts for £25 per month that saw the award head 3’s way. The judges said of the package,

“A mighty 15GB makes this tariff a market leader, reflecting the requirements of real life like those data-sapping media transfers. Featuring an additional 100 free texts per month, this two year deal from 3 costs just £25 per month, and makes 3 the clear winner of Best Mobile Broadband package.”

In response to the success Marc Allera, sales and marketing director for 3 said,

“We are delighted to be recognised as winners for our Mobile Broadband year on year and to be able to offer our customers deals that are great value for money.”

Last year 3 won the Tariff of the Year award and as Broadband Expert states this most recent victory is another ‘feather in the cap’ of the provider as it aims to make mobile communication accessible to all.

3UK has launched 3 Free Agents, a programme that asks consumers to give free 3 PAYG SIMs to their friends and colleagues alike, with a cash incentive of £5 paid into a paypal account when a friend uses their SIM in a 3G handset and tops-up. The new SIM card holder also receives £2 extra credit.

The initiative encourages the ‘Agents’ to use their social networking presences as Ash Roots, head of online at 3 states,

“There is nothing new in giving away free SIMs as SIM only is a growing section of the PAYG market. But 3 Free Agents is the first UK initiative available now that rewards customers with cold hard cash for promoting and distributing SIMs using the internet.”

Numerous sites have posted about the project; the Guardiantweeted towards their article, with other news sites Mobile Newsand MarketingMagazine featuring the initiative. Pocket-Lint has more from Ash, GoMo divulges all the details around the tariffs involved and The Register has been quick to put it alongside O2’s giffgaff to see how it fares.

If this isn’t enough, 3g.co.uk, iXplora, Money Saving Woman andMobile Choice have also all posted on it.