Roaming charges at sea

[Add_15261]

I just received a bill from three for €44 roaming data charges. This was when I was travelling on a ferry from Ireland to Uk for 2 hours. Three never advised me that these charges apply/rates higher. I had no idea that the rates were higher or that I was connected to a different network. Has this happened to anyone else? Is there anything I can do? Thanks 

[Add_16126]

The response is pretty unhelpful.  I more interested in the fact that montagnard got the charges waived where as I still on the hook for e200 plus VAT.  Pointing to the T&Cs and saying the charges are valid as well as telling me that I need to take personal responsibility is not helping me. I literally can't afford to pay 200 plus VAT for roaming on a satellite off Cork harbour.  It is nuts that one is connected to a satellite automatically when the charges are so aggregious.

[Add_16126]

+1 on this

[Add_16126]

this to me just shows that it is designed to catch the customer.  I was interested to see that you have said you had your charges waived.   I think this is a really unfair way to treat customers.  The charges are extortionate.  Did you raise you concerns with Comreg?  

[Add_16126]

Absolutely crazy.  Happened to my family with 4 devices so 200 plus VAT.  3's response is to take personal responsibility and that the charges ( which are outrageous) are valid.  Move on!  I'm so annoyed with their approach here.  I've raised with Comreg.

[Ronan_44186]

Yup got a bill of €65. For 12mb! I had walked onto 3 shop a few weeks before and asked what was the story with data roaming when I took boat to Scotland as I wasn't sure now with UK out of EU. Told fine under 35gb. Don't have to do anything etc. Got bill. Rang three, sorry can't do anything for you, ring the store. Rang store and let on I was going on hols, boat to Scotland etc. Told again no bother work away no charge. But I'm taking ferry to UK. Grand 35gb. But are you.sure i wont be charged on boat. THEN oh yeah you mite be. Can't do anything, ring three. Rang back three. Nope ring back store. THE MINUTE I'M OUTTA CONTRACT IM GONE. they want €240 to opt out now. Not happy with the charge or the complete run around.

[Three_Stacey]

Hi @Ronan_44186 welcome to 3Community. I'm sorry to hear about your experience! I can understand your frustration about not being fully informed of the roaming charges especially those attached to using your phone while on a ferry. 

I'd love the opportunity to help turn this experience around for you however I will need to check the account to see if there is anything I can do to help. Pop through to me here on PM along with your full name, mobile number, address and date of birth and I can look into this further for you.

[Steven_68355]

Hi there - I realise it's been over a year since you posted this, but wondering if you did get that credit? I find myself in a similar situation and was offered a 20% waiver on a €50 charge from a ferry trip last month. I didn't accept it as I had read this thread before I contacted Three. Not sure why I should accept 20% if others are getting a full waiver/credit. If you could let me know that would be great. Thanks.

[Stephen_69676]

2026 and this is still happening. Passengers who are less tech savvy are, to put it mildly, fish in a barrel. As there is no opt-in, you have to make sure you switch your phone off / Airplane mode before you are AUTOMATICALLY taken hostage by Ferry's service. This is opportunistic, underhand, mean and disgraceful. We're told as customers to be aware of the terms and conditions but in this case it means researching how you could be taken advantage of. (yup, the unhelpful, unhealthy mindset these companies are putting us all in now) Ships and ferries are a grey area and obviously the operators are sharks, taking advantage of people who are unaware of the consequences. What's wrong with THREE? How much profit do you need? Relentless ugly capitalism. Zero humanity. 

[Three_Niall]

Hey @Stephen_69676 thanks for posting here, these are charged at the maritime rate as you'd be connected to a satellite network.  Unfortunately you can't decide specific roaming areas to opt in an out in however you would have the option to leave data roaming continuously off until you are in your destination or you can also request for data roaming to be disabled on the account in general and you would only be charged for the data used while connected to these networks.

[Stephen_69676]

Thanks for your reply Niall. But  I don't accept any part of this. If you are abroad, your Data roaming is on. Without awareness, you will leave that on while you board a ferry as it's not common knowledge (as displayed on this forum and Reddit) unless you travel frequently that way that you automatically are switched to a satellite service.  Three has the capacity to send a text saying you are moving to a Satellite facility and roaming rates are XYZ. You do it on land. Nobody in their right mind would select this if they were aware unless they had money to burn. In my case - NO MESSAGE. Sharp practice this is called. I got a shabby discount but will leave Three in January when my 5 numbers are out of contract. Yes the other telcos are same but I'm not going to continue being a customer to a company that hides and defends taking advantage of people who might have their hands full boarding a ferry with kids and/or disabled passengers or the elderly and not looking for signs saying beware of staggeringly high roaming rates; It's a choice Three make, and one that could be avoided, but instead, grubby profit is more important, at all costs. It's disgusting.