3 mobile internet problems

[filthiestfis]

I am very upset. After much research I went for 3 mobile broadband and received my usb dongle yesterday. This is the first time that I am experiencing mobile internet and I am very dissapointed. I dont know if it is 3 or just mobile internet but the service is rubbish as it cuts off every few minutes, and so far I have been unable to get a signal most of the time.
I am mostly upset because I have signed a 24 month contract with 3 and I know that if I call to cancel it, they are going to try to impose some penalties on me, even though I am not receiving a satisfactory standard of service.
On this basis, I feel that I should be entitled to cancle my "contract" with them, as I did not foresee the poor service, otherwise I wouldnt have committed to it.
Do you think that under the Distance Selling Regulations, I am allowed to cancel my agreement? I ask because I have obviously opened the box and began using the service, so are my rights invalidated?
Very upset. Wish I had paid more now and gotten a fixed phone line at home and standard broadband cos this seems to be worse than the dial up of a decade ago.
If this is the technology of tomorrow then God help me.

[ChuckFickens]

Did your "much research" include checking your area using the 3 coverage checker to make sure you get 3g coverage?

http://www.three.co.uk/_popup/Coverage_checker

[filthiestfis]

chuckfickens-good morning-yes-I live in greater london area and coverage checked indicating good level.

[Ethel]

Mobile internet is never going to be as good as landline broadband and is intended to be used when there is no other way of connecting to the internet whilst you are out and about.

If you get a very strong signal the speed should be better than dial up but not as good as fast broadband. If there is no signal you get no service.

Did you buy it over the internet or phone? If so, you can cancel and return.
"As the 3 service was PAYG, we did not cancel it. For other providers, we cancelled in line with their returns policy that allowed a full equipment and service refund. For Orange and T-Mobile, this was the minimum seven days required by the Distance Selling Regulations. Other providers offered a longer cancellation period.

Mobile broadband cancellation was straightforward with Orange � it sent a jiffy bag to return the mobile broadband dongle and didn�t take any monthly payments. We had to spend the best part of two hours on the phone to O2 over seven days, and spoke to six different people before being able to cancel and get details of how to return the mobile broadband dongle. O2 refunded the price fairly promptly once the dongle was returned."

http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/mobile-broadban d/page/mobile-broadband-put-to-the-test/

[filthiestfis]

Good morning Ethel. Your answer provides much more encouragement than chuckficken's so thank you for spending the time to help me out.
I will have to ring them up as it was bought on their website, so yes, should be able to cancel it, as only just got it yesterday.

[legend.isgod]

quote the Trade Descriptions Act of 1978 as well as the Provision of Goods And Services Act 1982 as amended - stating that service provided is not fit for the purpose for which it was sold, and give them 14 days to to sort something out, and threaten to sue on 15th day if nothing sorted. also report them to OFCOM.


saw that advice on a 3usb modem complaint site


google and when you see how many complaints there are you will wonder why you bought it in the first place

[legend.isgod]

http://www.mobile-phones-uk.org.uk/3-mobile-br oadband.htm