PAYG Mobile Data Costs

[RVB]

I recently started a topic asking about PAYG eSIM with data that doesn't expire after 30 days.
This was as a backup to my monthly contract with 'Three' which I am having seemingly unresolvable issues with but I can't leave until early 2025.

I only found one option: Lyca Mobile.

As both my wife and I have monthly plans, I'm not familiar with PAYG data costs, but Lyca PAYG charge 15p per MB which seems extremely expensive considering that their contracts offer 5GB for £5 per month.

So on Lyca PAYG I would only be able to use a tiny fraction of a GB before it cost me £5.

Is my maths wrong? Have I misunderstood something? Is PAYG data extremely expensive?

[eltawater]

You're not wrong, PAYG data per MB is extremely expensive because providers would prefer you to buy data in fixed price bundles which only last 30 days.

For example, Tesco mobile charge 10p per MB but you can buy a "rocket pack" such as this one for £10 which lasts 30 days:

10GB, 5,000 minutes and 5,000 texts

EE are much the same, although you can buy 120GB data sims which last 12 months on EE for about £50. They're not eSims though so probably not much help.

Edited by eltawater on Friday 2nd June 23:33

[Donbot]

If you can find an O2 123 classic sim on the web it is 1p M/b 2p txt 3p p/m for calls.

[Mr-B]

If things are really that bad with Three go to formal complaint and you may be able to leave, you have nothing to lose by trying it. Just left Talktalk (albeit broadband related) going through this route, only half way into 18 month contract.

[RVB]

Mr-B said:

If things are really that bad with Three go to formal complaint and you may be able to leave......

I'm tempted to try a formal complaint procedure but I expect it would be a complex, time-consuming process involving hours on hold to call centres, numerous letters etc.

I've already spent many hours trying to resolve my Three account issues and connection issues but I get two replies: 'Computer says all is fine' or 'It must have been a temporary glitch'.
I have better things to be doing with my time than spending several hours per week every week for several months trying to resolve the issues or leave.

I think it will be easier if I just have a backup SIM for if/when I have problems with my Three account or connections, and leave Three when my contract ends.

Spending a few pounds per month for a second SIM (eSIM) from one of the piggyback carriers feels like it would be a lot less hassle than trying to leave Three.

[Mr-B]

A formal complaint to the complaints department will be handled differently to speaking to customer services to try and resolve it, CS are trained to fob you off and stall you with BS, complaints have to take it more seriously and not use "computer says no" approach. They have 8 weeks to resolve it before you can take it to outside arbitration.