As a Three UK customer, you're part of one of the UK's biggest mobile networks. But when it comes to calling family and friends abroad, the costs can be confusing and surprisingly expensive. Standard Three mobile plans don't include international calls, which often leads to bill shock.
This guide is here to break it all down. We'll explain exactly what Three charges for three uk international calls, clarify the common confusion between roaming and calling abroad, and show you smarter, cheaper ways to stay connected with loved ones in countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh without dreading your next bill.
What Three UK Includes for International Calls
Let's clear up the single biggest point of confusion for Three customers: your standard Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go tariff does not include calls to international numbers made from the UK.
Many people mix up "Go Roam" with "international calling," but they are two completely different things. This misunderstanding is often the source of an unexpectedly high phone bill.
- International Calling: This is when you are physically in the UK, sitting on your sofa in London, and you dial a number in another country, like India or the USA. These calls are always charged as an extra on top of your plan, on a per-minute basis.
- Go Roam: This is a feature for when you are travelling abroad in one of the 71 eligible destinations. It lets you use your UK allowances (minutes, texts, and data) as if you were at home, sometimes for a small daily fee.
So, while you can use your UK minutes to call a local Spanish number while on holiday in Spain (thanks to Go Roam), you cannot use those same minutes to call that Spanish number from your home in the UK.
Understanding this crucial difference is the first step to avoiding expensive charges.
Three UK International Calling Rates
When you make an international call from the UK on your Three mobile, the cost is charged per minute. Three divides countries into different rate bands, meaning a call to the USA can cost significantly less than a call to Pakistan.
Rates for popular destinations for many UK families, such as India or Bangladesh, can range from £1.40 to over £2.00 per minute.
To put that into perspective, here is a real-world cost example: A 15-minute call to India could cost over £22. That's a significant extra charge on top of your monthly bill for just one short conversation. These high rates apply whether you're on a Pay Monthly contract or using Pay As You Go credit.
For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it's always best to check Three’s official international charges page before you dial.
The high cost of traditional international calling is why revenues have been falling for years, as savvy consumers switch to more affordable internet-based alternatives. You can explore more data on how to make international calls.
Go Roam vs International Calling: The Crucial Difference
Many customers confuse Go Roam with international calling, and it's an expensive mistake to make. Let's make the distinction crystal clear, as it's the key to controlling your mobile phone bill.
Go Roam is for when YOU are abroad. It lets your UK allowances work while you are travelling outside the UK in one of the 71 destinations covered. If you're on holiday in France, you can use your UK minutes to call a French hotel or use your UK data to browse maps. It’s about using your phone in a foreign country.
International Calling is for when you are IN THE UK. It's what you do when you are dialling a foreign number from your sofa in the UK. Calling your aunt in Pakistan or a business in the USA from your home is an international call. These are completely different services with completely different costs and are never included in your standard plan.
Think of it this way: Go Roam is about your physical location (you are overseas), whereas International Calling is about the destination of the number you are dialling (it's an overseas number).
Cheaper Ways to Make International Calls
Thankfully, you don’t have to pay Three's high per-minute rates. The smart alternative is to use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps, which let you make calls over your Wi-Fi or mobile data for a fraction of the cost.
You've likely already used VoIP. Free services like WhatsApp and FaceTime are popular, but they have a major limitation: the person you are calling must also have the same app installed and an internet connection. Crucially, they cannot call landline numbers, which is essential for staying in touch with older relatives or businesses.
This is where dedicated VoIP apps like CallSky.io offer a better solution. They act as a bridge, allowing you to call any number in the world—whether it's a mobile or a traditional landline—directly from your smartphone.
The cost difference is huge. For example, while calling India for 15 minutes on Three costs around £22, the same call via a VoIP app like CallSky costs under £1. You can talk for longer without worrying about the cost, simply by using your existing internet connection. You can learn more about finding the cheapest international calling rates here.
Tips to Avoid Bill Shock
No one wants to open their phone bill and find an expensive surprise. Follow these simple tips to keep your costs for three uk international calls under control.
- Check Rates Before Calling: Always take 30 seconds to look up the per-minute rate on Three's official charges page before you dial an international number.
- Use VoIP Apps for Regular Calls: For frequent chats with family abroad, make a VoIP app your default choice. Services like CallSky.io let you call any landline or mobile for just a few pence per minute, saving you a fortune compared to network rates.
- Monitor Usage in the My3 App: Keep an eye on your spending directly in the My3 app. This helps you spot any out-of-plan charges early before they add up.
- Consider Pay-As-You-Go VoIP: For ultimate flexibility, choose a VoIP service like CallSky that works on a pay-as-you-go basis. You top up with credit and only pay for the minutes you use, with no monthly commitments or expensive bolt-ons.
FAQs
Here are the answers to the most common questions about making international calls with Three UK.
Does Three include international calls?
No. Standard Three Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go plans do not include international calls from the UK. These are always charged as an extra on a per-minute basis and are separate from your UK allowances.
How much does Three charge to call India?
Three's standard rate to call India from the UK can be over £1.50 per minute for both mobiles and landlines. A simple 15-minute call could cost you more than £22. Rates can change, so always check Three's official international call charges page first.
What's the cheapest way to call abroad on Three?
The cheapest way is to use your phone's internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) with a VoIP app like CallSky.io. Instead of paying pounds per minute to Three, you pay just pence per minute. This allows you to call any mobile or landline number worldwide without relying on Three's expensive international rates. You can learn more about VoIP for international calls.
Is Go Roam the same as international calling?
No, they are completely different. Go Roam is for when you are travelling abroad and lets you use your UK plan in 71 destinations. International calling is for when you are in the UK and dialling a foreign number. International calls are never included in Go Roam or your standard plan. For other options, check out our guide on making free international calls.
Ready to stop overpaying for international calls and start connecting for less? CallSky.io offers crystal-clear calls to over 180 countries from just a few pence per minute. Sign up today and get started with just £5 credit.