Ending your Three Mobile Broadband membership made easy

About Three Mobile Broadband

Three Mobile Broadband is one of the UK's leading mobile internet service providers, offering flexible data solutions for customers who need reliable connectivity on the go. As part of the Three network, which operates under Hutchison 3G UK Limited, this service has been serving British consumers since 2003, establishing itself as a major player in the mobile broadband market.

The service provides internet access through mobile dongles, portable Wi-Fi hotspots (MiFi devices), and data-only SIM cards that can be used in tablets, laptops, and other compatible devices. This means you can access the internet virtually anywhere within Three's coverage area, making it particularly popular among remote workers, students, and travellers who need consistent connectivity without relying on fixed-line broadband.

Three Mobile Broadband operates on the company's 4G and 5G networks, offering download speeds that can reach up to 100Mbps on 4G and significantly higher on 5G in areas where it's available. The network covers approximately 99% of the UK population for 4G services, though actual speeds and coverage will vary depending on your location and network congestion.

What sets Three apart from competitors is their approach to data allowances. The company was among the first UK providers to eliminate data roaming charges in many countries through their Go Roam service, and they've historically offered generous data packages compared to other mobile networks. This consumer-friendly approach has attracted millions of customers seeking value for money in their mobile broadband solutions.

Subscription plans and pricing

Three Mobile Broadband offers a range of contract options designed to suit different usage patterns and budgets. Understanding these plans is essential before considering cancellation, as your contract type directly affects your cancellation rights and any potential fees you might face.

Current plan structures

Three typically provides both pay-as-you-go options and monthly contract plans. The monthly contracts usually run for 12 or 24 months, though shorter one-month rolling contracts are also available at a premium price. These flexible arrangements give consumers choice, but they also come with different cancellation implications that you need to understand fully.

The pricing structure reflects the commitment level, with longer contracts typically offering better value per gigabyte but requiring a sustained financial commitment. Therefore, customers locked into longer contracts may face early termination charges if they wish to cancel before their minimum term expires.

Understanding what you're paying for

Your monthly payment covers not just the data allowance but potentially the cost of any hardware provided, such as a mobile Wi-Fi device or dongle. If Three subsidised the cost of your device as part of the contract, this is a crucial factor in calculating any early termination fees. In practice, this means that cancelling a 24-month contract after just six months could result in substantial charges to cover the remaining device cost.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding your cancellation rights is fundamental to protecting yourself as a consumer. Under UK law, you have specific protections that Three must honour, regardless of what their standard terms might suggest. This is where knowing your rights becomes your most powerful tool.

Your cooling-off period rights

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 grant you an automatic 14-day cooling-off period from the date you receive your service or device. During this period, you have an absolute right to cancel without providing any reason whatsoever. This means you can change your mind about your Three Mobile Broadband contract within those first two weeks and receive a full refund, minus any usage charges if you've actually used the service.

As a result, if you've just signed up and realised the service doesn't meet your needs—perhaps the coverage in your area is poor or the speeds are insufficient—you can exercise this right immediately. The 14-day period starts from when you receive the device or SIM card, not from when you signed the contract online or in-store.

Cancelling outside the cooling-off period

Once the cooling-off period expires, your cancellation rights depend on your contract type. For pay-as-you-go customers, you can stop using the service at any time without penalty. For one-month rolling contracts, you typically need to provide 30 days' notice before your next billing date.

However, for fixed-term contracts of 12 or 24 months, the situation becomes more complex. You remain legally bound to pay for the remaining contract period unless specific circumstances apply. Three will calculate an early termination charge based on the remaining months of your contract and any outstanding device costs.

Circumstances that may allow early cancellation

UK consumer law provides several scenarios where you may cancel a fixed-term contract without penalty. If Three increases your monthly price beyond inflation-linked increases specified in your contract, you have the right to cancel within 30 days of being notified. This protection ensures companies cannot arbitrarily raise prices mid-contract.

Additionally, if the service quality is persistently poor—for example, if you experience consistent connectivity problems that Three cannot resolve—you may have grounds to cancel under your statutory rights for services provided with reasonable care and skill. Therefore, documenting service failures becomes crucial evidence if you need to pursue this route.

Notice periods you must observe

How to cancel Three Mobile Broadband by post

Postal cancellation remains the most reliable method for terminating your Three Mobile Broadband contract, despite the digital age offering seemingly quicker alternatives. This approach provides you with concrete proof of your cancellation request, which becomes invaluable if any disputes arise later about whether you properly notified Three of your intention to cancel.

Why postal cancellation protects you best

When you cancel by post using Recorded Delivery or a tracked service, you create an indisputable paper trail. This documentation proves exactly when you sent your cancellation notice, which is crucial for meeting notice period requirements and protecting yourself against continued billing. In practice, this means if Three claims they never received your cancellation or disputes the timing, you have postal tracking evidence to support your position.

Phone cancellations can be problematic because you're relying on the customer service representative accurately recording your request. Online cancellation portals may experience technical issues or fail to generate proper confirmation. Therefore, postal cancellation, though seemingly old-fashioned, offers the strongest legal protection for consumers.

Essential information to include in your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter must contain specific information to be legally effective. Include your full name exactly as it appears on your Three account, your complete account number or mobile broadband number, and your current address. State clearly and unambiguously that you wish to cancel your Three Mobile Broadband service, and specify the date you want the cancellation to take effect.

Reference your contract details, including when it started and whether you're within your minimum term or have completed it. If you're cancelling due to price increases, service failures, or other specific reasons that might exempt you from early termination fees, explain these circumstances clearly and reference any relevant correspondence or complaint reference numbers.

Request written confirmation of your cancellation, the effective cancellation date, and details of any final charges or refunds. This ensures Three must respond formally, creating another layer of documentation for your records.

The correct postal address for cancellations

Sending your cancellation letter to the correct address is absolutely critical. Using an incorrect address could delay processing or, worse, result in Three claiming they never received your notice. The official customer services address for Three Mobile Broadband cancellations is:

• Three Customer Services
• Hutchison 3G UK Limited
• PO Box 333
• Glasgow
• G2 9AG

Always send your cancellation letter via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery or another tracked postal service. This typically costs between £2-£4 but provides proof of postage and delivery, which is invaluable protection worth every penny. Keep your proof of postage receipt safely, as this serves as evidence of when you initiated the cancellation process.

Using professional services for tracked cancellation letters

Services like Postclic streamline the postal cancellation process whilst maintaining all the legal protections of traditional postal methods. Postclic allows you to create your cancellation letter digitally, which they then print, envelope, and send via tracked delivery to Three's cancellation address. This approach combines convenience with the security of postal proof.

The benefits include automatic tracking, digital copies of your correspondence stored securely, and professional formatting that ensures your letter includes all necessary information. As a result, you save time visiting the post office whilst still obtaining the delivery confirmation that protects your consumer rights. The service typically costs less than £5, which includes tracked postage, making it a cost-effective solution for busy consumers.

Timeline expectations after posting your cancellation

Once Three receives your cancellation letter, they should process it within 5-10 working days. You should receive written confirmation of your cancellation, including the effective date and any final charges. If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks, follow up immediately with another letter referencing your original cancellation and its tracking information.

Your notice period begins from when Three receives your letter, not when you post it. Therefore, factor in postal delivery time when calculating your final billing date. For a 30-day notice period, if you post your letter on January 1st and Three receives it on January 3rd, your service would typically end on February 2nd or at the end of your February billing cycle, depending on your contract terms.

Customer reviews and tips

Common reasons customers cancel Three Mobile Broadband

Understanding why other customers cancel can help you make informed decisions about your own situation. Coverage issues rank among the most frequent complaints, with customers in rural or suburban areas often experiencing inconsistent connectivity despite Three's claimed 99% population coverage. In practice, population coverage differs significantly from geographic coverage, meaning large areas may have poor or no service.

Speed inconsistencies frustrate many users, particularly during peak times when network congestion can dramatically reduce download and upload speeds. Customers who relied on Three for remote work or streaming often find the service inadequate during crucial daytime hours, prompting them to seek more reliable alternatives.

Price increases represent another major cancellation trigger. When Three exercises their contractual right to increase prices annually, even by small amounts, cost-conscious consumers often reassess whether the service offers sufficient value. This is particularly true when competing providers offer promotional deals that significantly undercut Three's pricing.

Valuable tips from experienced customers

Former Three Mobile Broadband customers consistently recommend documenting everything from day one. Keep copies of your original contract, all correspondence, and detailed notes about any service issues including dates, times, and how problems affected your usage. This documentation becomes crucial evidence if you need to dispute early termination charges or claim the service failed to meet reasonable standards.

Many customers advise testing the service thoroughly during your 14-day cooling-off period. Use your mobile broadband in all the locations where you'll regularly need it—home, work, during commutes—and at different times of day. If performance is unsatisfactory, exercise your cooling-off rights immediately rather than hoping conditions will improve.

When cancelling, customers strongly recommend using tracked postal services and keeping all proof of postage indefinitely. Multiple reviewers report billing disputes where Three continued charging after cancellation, and postal tracking evidence proved essential in resolving these issues and obtaining refunds.

What to watch for during the cancellation process

Stay vigilant about continued charges after your cancellation date. Set a reminder to check your bank account or credit card statements for at least three months following your intended cancellation date. If Three takes any payments after your service should have ended, contact them immediately in writing, referencing your cancellation correspondence and tracking information.

Be aware that Three may contact you with retention offers attempting to persuade you to stay. Whilst these offers might seem attractive, ensure any new agreement is documented in writing and that you fully understand the new terms before accepting. If you've decided to cancel, staying firm in your decision often proves the wisest course.

Check whether you need to return any equipment, such as a MiFi device or dongle. Three should provide clear instructions about returns in your cancellation confirmation, including whether you'll receive a prepaid returns label. Failure to return equipment within specified timeframes may result in additional charges, so act promptly once you receive return instructions.

Protecting yourself against final bill surprises

Request an itemised final bill showing exactly what charges apply. This should break down any early termination fees, outstanding device costs, final monthly charges, and any usage outside your allowance. If any charges seem incorrect or weren't clearly explained in your cancellation confirmation, challenge them immediately in writing.

Under UK consumer law, charges must be fair and transparent. If Three applies fees that weren't clearly stated in your original contract or cancellation terms, you have grounds to dispute them. Therefore, reviewing your final bill carefully and questioning anything unclear protects you from paying charges you don't legitimately owe.

Consider paying your final bill by debit card rather than allowing Three to take payment via direct debit. This gives you greater control and makes it easier to dispute charges through your bank if necessary. Once you've paid your final bill and received confirmation that your account is closed with no outstanding balance, keep this documentation permanently in case any issues arise later.