Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
include European roaming.

Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
for me.

--
/Simon

On 07/07/2022 19:25, siwilson wrote:
> Smarty - anyone tried 'em?

Nope.
Apart from some random ones in forreign countries I have always been
Vodafone.
>
> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
> for me.
>

Erm, so not a thread you be interested in then?

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
> include European roaming.
>
> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
> for me.

My daughter used them and when she went to the US it was very expensive.

Cheap enough in the UK though, and I think cheap for roaming in the EU if
you limit the amount of data (to something like 12GB?).

On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
> include European roaming.
>
> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
> for me.

I have a new Smarty sim for the UK, retaining my Éire 3 contract. It seems fine, *may* be a slightly less premium service out on the Rim but mostly 4G data performance is unchanged.
A and Rob have also switched, now that it's proven.

£8-12gb, be rude not to (all I need) but there is currently a £12-100gb plan for data whores.

Would Sir like a referral code? :o)

On 07/07/2022 19:25, siwilson wrote:
> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
> include European roaming.
>
> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
> for me.

iD Mobile - owned by Currys[0], uses Three's[0] network, but seems to
Just Work™. All the parents are on it now as well.

Good customer service, free 5G (although I assume everybody does that
now), roaming, data rollover.

Referrals available, obviously.

[0] *spit*
--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
>> include European roaming.
>>
>> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
>> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
>> for me.
>
> I have a new Smarty sim for the UK, retaining my Éire 3 contract. It seems fine, *may* be a slightly less premium service out on the Rim but mostly 4G data performance is unchanged.
> A and Rob have also switched, now that it's proven.
>
> £8-12gb, be rude not to (all I need) but there is currently a £12-100gb plan for data whores.
>
> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)

Hmm, what is the coverage like?
As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in our
house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
news:ta8vi0$mj8t$1@dont-email.me:

> On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
>> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and,
>>> they include European roaming.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
>>> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the
>>> switch for me.
>>
>> I have a new Smarty sim for the UK, retaining my Éire 3 contract. It
>> seems fine, *may* be a slightly less premium service out on the Rim
>> but mostly 4G data performance is unchanged. A and Rob have also
>> switched, now that it's proven.
>>
>> £8-12gb, be rude not to (all I need) but there is currently a
>> £12-100gb plan for data whores.
>>
>> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)
>
> Hmm, what is the coverage like?
> As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in our
> house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)
>

Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone network
in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same as Smarty)

I pay under a fiver for the 3Gb a month plan, plus unlimited calls &
texts. Deal was discounted for 3 months by using a referral link from
Moneysavingexpert

[1] Dutch company, uses other networks in other countries but the
roaming worked fine in France & Germany last month

On 08/07/2022 15:25, wessie wrote:
> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
> news:ta8vi0$mj8t$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
>>> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and,
>>>> they include European roaming.
<snip>

>>>
>>> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)
>>
>> Hmm, what is the coverage like?
>> As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in our
>> house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)
>>
>
> Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone network
> in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same as Smarty)

How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper service?

>
> I pay under a fiver for the 3Gb a month plan, plus unlimited calls &
> texts. Deal was discounted for 3 months by using a referral link from
> Moneysavingexpert
>
> [1] Dutch company, uses other networks in other countries but the
> roaming worked fine in France & Germany last month

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
news:ta9uk4$pnt3$1@dont-email.me:

> On 08/07/2022 15:25, wessie wrote:
>> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
>> news:ta8vi0$mj8t$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
>>>> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>>>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and,
>>>>> they include European roaming.
> <snip>
>
>>>>
>>>> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)
>>>
>>> Hmm, what is the coverage like?
>>> As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in
>>> our house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)
>>>
>>
>> Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone
>> network in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same as
>> Smarty)
>
> How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper
> service?
>

same as Tesco, Asda and an other company operating as a mobile virtual
network - it's hardly a new business model

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

On Thu, 07 Jul 2022 19:25:01 +0100, siwilson wrote:

> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
> include European roaming.

Used Smarty a couple of times for work. Monthly rolling contract, simple
to get and use, never any problem with the service, no spam emails... I'd
use them again. Personally I'm currently with Plusnet (EE network), paying
around £11 for 16GB data and unlimited calls. Also a rolling monthly
contract.

> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
> for me.

Most providers will allow you out early. All you need to do is pay the
remaining outstanding until end-of-term :-)

On 08/07/2022 20:39, wessie wrote:
> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
> news:ta9uk4$pnt3$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 08/07/2022 15:25, wessie wrote:
>>> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
>>> news:ta8vi0$mj8t$1@dont-email.me:
>>>
>>>> On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
>>>>> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>>>>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and,
>>>>>> they include European roaming.
>> <snip>
>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)
>>>>
>>>> Hmm, what is the coverage like?
>>>> As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in
>>>> our house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)
>>>>
>>>
>>> Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone
>>> network in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same as
>>> Smarty)
>>
>> How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper
>> service?
>>
>
> same as Tesco, Asda and an other company operating as a mobile virtual
> network - it's hardly a new business model
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

I know it has been around ahile, I just hadn't realised how much cheaper
they could be, while using the major operators network.

I am a but of "stick with it until it breaks" person (the bikes are an
example) so had not delved into it.

So, why do the larger networks allow subletters[sp?] sell the same
service for less?

I currently pay £16.44, for unlimited calls&texts +5Gb data. (4.6gb
remaining with 4 days to go, I've never managed to use it).

I stayed with them the last few years, and didn't change contract as I
suspected that I would lose roaming if I changed. Obviously that does
not seem to be the case.

Both Smarty and Lebrara would slaughter that for £10!

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
news:taa6s3$qga6$1@dont-email.me:

>
>
> On 08/07/2022 20:39, wessie wrote:
>> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
>> news:ta9uk4$pnt3$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> On 08/07/2022 15:25, wessie wrote:
>>>> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in
>>>> news:ta8vi0$mj8t$1@dont-email.me:
>>>>
>>>>> On 08/07/2022 00:54, Hog wrote:
>>>>>> On Thursday, 7 July 2022 at 19:25:04 UTC+1, siwilson wrote:
>>>>>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand,
>>>>>>> and, they include European roaming.
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Would Sir like a referral code? :o)
>>>>>
>>>>> Hmm, what is the coverage like?
>>>>> As in compared to Vodafone which is "variable" (actually shite in
>>>>> our house ...but hey, wifi calling :-)
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone
>>>> network in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same
>>>> as Smarty)
>>>
>>> How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper
>>> service?
>>>
>>
>> same as Tesco, Asda and an other company operating as a mobile
>> virtual network - it's hardly a new business model
>>
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator
>
> I know it has been around ahile, I just hadn't realised how much
> cheaper they could be, while using the major operators network.
>
> I am a but of "stick with it until it breaks" person (the bikes are an
> example) so had not delved into it.
>
> So, why do the larger networks allow subletters[sp?] sell the same
> service for less?
>

they have spare capacity so better to sell it to an MVNO than have no
revenue at all. Presumably, the MVNO has to cough up even if they don't
sell all of the capacity.

No different to any other surplus commodity being dumped onto the open
market.

> I currently pay £16.44, for unlimited calls&texts +5Gb data. (4.6gb
> remaining with 4 days to go, I've never managed to use it).
>
> I stayed with them the last few years, and didn't change contract as I
> suspected that I would lose roaming if I changed. Obviously that does
> not seem to be the case.
>
> Both Smarty and Lebrara would slaughter that for £10!
>

Inertia is a massive driver of profit for utility and insurance
companies.

On Friday, 8 July 2022 at 19:56:06 UTC+1, YTC#1 wrote:
> On 08/07/2022 15:25, wessie wrote:
<snip>
> > Lebara[1] have similar pricing plans and they use the Vodafone network
> > in the UK. Free EU roaming but a 15Gb limit a month (same as Smarty)
> How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper service?

They buy wholesale (as do others) and run at a lower gross margin, potentially
having better credit control (so less bad debts), a lower frills service (so less
cost to deliver) and probably cheaper/fewer staff...

On Saturday, 9 July 2022 at 00:33:57 UTC+1, wessie wrote:
<snip>
> they have spare capacity so better to sell it to an MVNO than have no
> revenue at all. Presumably, the MVNO has to cough up even if they don't
> sell all of the capacity.

Generally the MVNO is just marking up (or at least that was my understanding)
I'm sure there's a minimum revenue guarantee but I wasn't ever that close.

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't business, if Vodafone don't deal
with the MVNO then maybe 3, EE or O2 will and while Vodafone would clearly
prefer to sell direct, they'd rather sell via an MVNO than not at all since the
MVNO will undoubtedly work with one of the other MNOs.

There is a lot of head scratching and 'strategising' about this on a regular
basis, or at least there used to be when I was peripherally involved and I
assume it still continues.

On 09/07/2022 02:33, Stephen Packer wrote:
> On Saturday, 9 July 2022 at 00:33:57 UTC+1, wessie wrote:
> <snip>
>> they have spare capacity so better to sell it to an MVNO than have no
>> revenue at all. Presumably, the MVNO has to cough up even if they don't
>> sell all of the capacity.
>
> Generally the MVNO is just marking up (or at least that was my understanding)
> I'm sure there's a minimum revenue guarantee but I wasn't ever that close.
>
> It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't business, if Vodafone don't deal
> with the MVNO then maybe 3, EE or O2 will and while Vodafone would clearly
> prefer to sell direct, they'd rather sell via an MVNO than not at all since the
> MVNO will undoubtedly work with one of the other MNOs.
>
> There is a lot of head scratching and 'strategising' about this on a regular
> basis, or at least there used to be when I was peripherally involved and I
> assume it still continues.

Right, I'm off to South Wales for a week, I'll think about it all when back

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

Stephen Packer <stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote in
news:e74fbfb0-1a7b-40ec-a4e4-8447603cca48n@googlegroups.com:

> On Saturday, 9 July 2022 at 00:33:57 UTC+1, wessie wrote:
> <snip>
>> they have spare capacity so better to sell it to an MVNO than have no
>> revenue at all. Presumably, the MVNO has to cough up even if they
>> don't sell all of the capacity.
>
> Generally the MVNO is just marking up (or at least that was my
> understanding) I'm sure there's a minimum revenue guarantee but I
> wasn't ever that close.
>
> It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't business, if Vodafone
> don't deal with the MVNO then maybe 3, EE or O2 will and while
> Vodafone would clearly prefer to sell direct, they'd rather sell via
> an MVNO than not at all since the MVNO will undoubtedly work with one
> of the other MNOs.

Lebara has deals with 8 different MNOs across the world, so I doubt they
have any long term loyalty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebara#Operations [1]

>
> There is a lot of head scratching and 'strategising' about this on a
> regular basis, or at least there used to be when I was peripherally
> involved and I assume it still continues.

an ancient dilemma for any company that does not have a monopoly. Even the
ones who claim they do not make stuff for others will have subsidiaries
that make private label stuff for Tesco, B&Q, Aldi etc.

[1] looks like 7 from the list but Vodafone in Oz is a separate company it
seems

On Friday, July 8, 2022 at 7:56:06 PM UTC+1, YTC#1 wrote:
>
> How is it they can use the Vodafone network, and supply a cheaper service?

Classic channel selling.

On 08/07/2022 09:22, Eddie wrote:
> On 07/07/2022 19:25, siwilson wrote:
>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
>> include European roaming.
>>
>> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
>> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
>> for me.
>
> iD Mobile - owned by Currys[0], uses Three's[0] network, but seems to
> Just Work™. All the parents are on it now as well.
I've curently got a Smarty sim, for testing.

It often has no network, when the Vodafone [1] has a 4G.
I'm holding back on getting a PAC and transferring.

Maybe I should get a Lebara and test that as well.

[1] I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in news:tbmu9u$1ehdb$1@dont-email.me:

> On 08/07/2022 09:22, Eddie wrote:
>> On 07/07/2022 19:25, siwilson wrote:
>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
>>> include European roaming.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
>>> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
>>> for me.
>>
>> iD Mobile - owned by Currys[0], uses Three's[0] network, but seems to
>> Just Work™. All the parents are on it now as well.
> I've curently got a Smarty sim, for testing.
>
>
> It often has no network, when the Vodafone [1] has a 4G.
> I'm holding back on getting a PAC and transferring.
>
> Maybe I should get a Lebara and test that as well.
>
> [1] I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones
>

is that more to do with the characteristics of the phones? Perhaps one has
a better range than the other? Have you swapped the SIMs between phones?

On 25/07/2022 21:26, YTC#1 wrote:
> I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones

I have not carried two phones but I was given a phone that takes two
sims and as data allowance is poor on my main number put a Smarty sim in
as well, it works well for me and increases my overall coverage.

What I don't know is if an outgoing call on my normal sim will take
advantage of signal on my secondary sim to make a voip call when that is
in coverage and the normal network isn't available.

On 25/07/2022 22:23, wessie wrote:
> YTC#1 <bdp@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote in news:tbmu9u$1ehdb$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 08/07/2022 09:22, Eddie wrote:
>>> On 07/07/2022 19:25, siwilson wrote:
>>>> Smarty - anyone tried 'em? Seems to be Three's budget brand, and, they
>>>> include European roaming.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately I have currently signed up for a lengthy contract with
>>>> Three which is a pita, so not sure at the moment it's worth the switch
>>>> for me.
>>>
>>> iD Mobile - owned by Currys[0], uses Three's[0] network, but seems to
>>> Just Work™. All the parents are on it now as well.
>> I've curently got a Smarty sim, for testing.
>>
>>
>> It often has no network, when the Vodafone [1] has a 4G.
>> I'm holding back on getting a PAC and transferring.
>>
>> Maybe I should get a Lebara and test that as well.
>>
>> [1] I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones
>>
>
> is that more to do with the characteristics of the phones? Perhaps one has
> a better range than the other? Have you swapped the SIMs between phones?

Yes, that was to test WiFi calling worked.
Good idea, will double check signal with it later.

This is typical me, very hesitant to change and make the leap from
something that has worked as required for so long.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 25/07/2022 22:47, ajh wrote:
> On 25/07/2022 21:26, YTC#1 wrote:
>> I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones
>
>
> I have not carried two phones but I was given a phone that takes two
> sims and as data allowance is poor on my main number put a Smarty sim in

How do you all manage to use data? I struggle to use 2 or 3 Gb/month.
Never hit my 5Gbcurrent allowance.

Even on the road I have struggled to use more than 8Gb.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 26/07/2022 08:44, YTC#1 wrote:
>
> How do you all manage to use data? I struggle to use 2 or 3 Gb/month.
> Never hit my 5Gbcurrent  allowance.

Nor me but the marginal cost of unlimited calls and sms is such that I
don't worry about the extra few pounds a month for the additional coverage.

On 26/07/2022 08:44, YTC#1 wrote:
>
>
> On 25/07/2022 22:47, ajh wrote:
>> On 25/07/2022 21:26, YTC#1 wrote:
>>> I used to laugh at people walking around with 2 phones
>>
>>
>> I have not carried two phones but I was given a phone that takes two
>> sims and as data allowance is poor on my main number put a Smarty sim in
>
> How do you all manage to use data? I struggle to use 2 or 3 Gb/month.
> Never hit my 5Gbcurrent  allowance.
>
> Even on the road  I have struggled to use more than 8Gb.
>
I think the large data allowances are perhaps to facilitate those
watching large amounts of pr0n* on Utube? - Though why you would choose
to watch it on one's phone is beyond me.

Chris
*and cat videos obvs
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 3:44:38 AM UTC-4, YTC#1 wrote:
> On 25/07/2022 22:47, ajh wrote:
> >
> > I have not carried two phones but I was given a phone that takes two
> > sims and as data allowance is poor on my main number put a Smarty sim in
> How do you all manage to use data? I struggle to use 2 or 3 Gb/month.
> Never hit my 5Gbcurrent allowance.
>
> Even on the road I have struggled to use more than 8Gb.

Video calls.