Three reports that data usage on their network surged by 500 percent on New Year's Eve, with total data usage on the night measuring in at 80 terabytes, up from 14 terabytes in 2010.

New Year's Day also saw intense data usage, with 74 terabytes used.

Facebook was one of the most popular destinations for smartphone users, with a 20% jump in traffic between midnight and 1 am.

The number of SMS messages also went up to 46 million this New Year, up from 36 million in 2010. Calls went from 19 million to 21 million.

However, it is the phenomenal growth in data that is attracting all the attention - as more and more people come to understand the benefits and capabilities of smartphones, Three expect adoption of smartphones to reach almost 100% in the coming year.

Thomas Malleschitz, Marketing Director at Three, said: “It is a phenomenal amount of growth and shows just how much smartphones are changing the way our customers communicate. This kind of demand vindicates Three's focus on building a network designed for the internet. It also shows just how important data bundles are becoming – and of course the value of plans which offer genuinely All-You-Can-Eat handset data allowances.”

For the latest offers, and range of Smartphones available on Three, check out our Three deals page.

Three is still the most complained about network in the UK, according to the latest figures released by industry regulator OfCom.

The latest figures are for Quarter 3, 2011, and show that Three remain the most complained about network, with most issues surrounding disputed charges and customer service issues.

For the period of Q3, OfCom received 0.14 complaints per 1,000 customers of Three, stats that match the previous quarter.

In contrast to Three, the least complained about network remains O2, with just 0.02 complaints per thousand customers.

A spokesperson for Three said: “We have improved the way we handle complaints over the few months and saw a significant reduction in complaints in the early part of the summer, so it is disappointing to see these results. We will work with OfCom to better understand the nature of the complaints. Customer service remains a focus for the business.”

Complaints for Virgin Mobile, Vodafone and Orange were at 0.07 per 1,000 for Q3, whilst T-Mobile were slightly better at 0.06 per 1,000. Virgin Mobile's numbers were higher than previous months, which OfCom attributed to billing and customer service issues.

The number of complaints published is proportional to each network's customer base, which enables figures to be compared on an even basis across all the network operators.

A few weeks ago, Three brought news that 97% of data across their network was data. Now they have dug a little deeper into those stats, to see what the browsing habits of Three users are.

Three make a big thing about their network capability when it comes to handling data, often pointing out that the network was designed from the ground up with mobile internet usage in mind, as opposed to the other networks that have had to grow from a voice centric service to include data services.

Three are also have tariffs that offer truly unlimited data access, with the One Plan allowing users to access as much data as they want, how they want, without restriction.

In terms of browsing habits it is of little surprise that Facebook ranks at the top of mobile services used, with an amazing 1.24 billion Facebook pages viewed, every month.

Every day, approximately 137 Terabytes of data flows across the Three network, which is approximately 40% of the total data of all UK networks. 137 Terabytes of data is equivalent to around 35.8 million music tracks being downloaded from iTunes, every day.

During the month of October, within the M25 area, the amount of data transferred on Three was equivalent to 360 million music tracks, or 36 million albums. Laid side by side, those CD's would stretch for 3,000 miles.

Three claim that around 60% of their user base use smartphones, and at current rates of growth, that number could rise up to 90% over the coming year.

Three have a strong line up of smartphones to choose from in their range, from the new Nokia Lumia 800, to the Apple iPhone, BlackBerry devices and a number of Android handsets.

For the latest offers on Three, head on over to our Three Deals page.

Via

Three make a big thing of how their network is built for mobile data. In recent months the network has been investing heavily in upgrading the infrastructure to provide the best possible service to customers, to the point that now 97% of all traffic that passes across the Three network is data.

That's a staggering percentage, and shows just how the growth in popularity of smartphones, aligned with Three's tariff structure for data has had a significant impact on the activity of Three's customer base.

The One Plan has had a major impact on the popularity of Three for data, offering consumers on a compatible tariff truly unlimited data, with no usage caps. Between June last year and September this year, data traffic across Three has increased by an amazing 427%, with the One Plan contributing significantly to those figures since its launch back in December last year.

Data usage is calculated by users accessing services such as Email, Instant Messaging, Google Maps, Twitter, Facebook, Downloading apps, streaming video and music, as well as using their mobile phones as portable WiFi devices, allowing other WiFi enabled products to connect to the phone and access the web, known as tethering.

Commenting on the Three Blog, Phil Sheppard wrote: “Back in 2003, when we began our journey as a 3G network, it felt at times like the technology we had at our fingertips was a bit 'Tomorrow's World'. It was ahead of its time, and few knew how 3G and mobile data could really be relevant in People's lives, particularly with a lack of decent handsets. Fast forward to today, in a market flooded with tablets and smartphones, and there can be no denying the importance of a reliable, powerful network like ours.”

The offering of unlimited data seems to have been a big appeal to users, making Three the fastest growing network in the UK. Along with the One Plan contract offering, Three introduced an unlimited data package for PAYG customers in March this year, making Three the network of choice for the mobile internet.

To check out all the latest offers on the Three network, head on over to our Three Deals page.

HTC has announced another addition to its budget range of Android devices, with the HTC Explorer stepping into the limelight.

HTC claim that the HTC Explorer will be the most affordable budget device to date, and is set to go on sale in the fourth quarter with Three already confirming they will be stocking the device.

The Explorer has a curved, compact look, weighing in at only 108g. The display is a 3.2 inch HVGA screen, with an onboard 3.2 Megapixel camera, and runs Android 2.3 with the HTC Sense 3.5 user interface.

With the latest version of Sense comes the active lockscreen that allows you to set shortcuts to your favourite applications, which can be launched straight from the lockscreen. The applications are customisable, allowing you to choose those applications which you use most often.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Powered by a 600 MHz processor, the Explorer has a full media player, with stereo FM radio, plus GPS, WiFi, HSDPA and Bluetooth.

The HTC Explorer will be available in a variety of colour options, including Active Black, Active Navy, Mettalic Black and Metallic Navy.

Three is expanding their All-You-Can-Eat data offering, making it available on all their tariffs from October 7th.

It was towards the end of last year that Three firmly placed their backing behind freedom for data users, with the launch of The One Plan. The One Plan tariff offered users 2,000 an network minutes, 5,000 Three to Three minutes, 5,000 text and all-you-can-eat data.

The popularity of The One Plan sees over 80% of connections to Three doing so on that tariff, with the data package being one of the main attractions.

Now from the 7th October the truly unlimited data package will be available to all Three customers, with existing customer able to add data for just £3 per month. For all new connecting customers, unlimited data tariffs start from just £18.

The new Talk and Text plans, with a smartphone, are Talk 300, Talk 500 and Talk 900. Each tariff offers 300, 500 or 900 minutes or texts, with all-you-can-eat data.

Text 100, Text 300, Text 500 or Text 900 give 100, 300, 500 or 900 minutes, 5,000 texts, and all-you-can-eat data.

Three CEO David Dyson, said: “The One Plan tariff has been incredibly successful. The reason it is such a success is not that people want to use a huge amount of data, but because it provides them with a level of surety and confidence that they won't run up a big bill.”

Figures from Three show that 98% of sales on Three are for smartphones. Independent statistics suggest that 44% of all data across UK networks is carried on Three, with the remainder split between the other three operators.

For the latest smartphone offers on Three, see our Three Deals page.

Mobile network operator Three leads the way with customer complaints within the UK, topping a recent survey by network regulator OfCom.

Following Three come T-Mobile and Orange, although T-Mobile's level of complaints have improved significantly from Q1 to Q2 2011, whereas Three have been getting progressively worse from Q4 2010. The largest proportion of complaints received about Three related to disputed charges, and customer service issues.

Vodafone came next in the list, only just beaten by Virgin Mobile, who have a large enough percentage of the mobile market to be considered for the survey.

Leading the pack was O2, who have consistently had the lowest number of complaints registered from its customers from Q4 2010 to Q2 2011.

A Three spokesman said: “We are not happy with the figures but we know what is behind them and we are working hard to make improvements.”

The figures are calculated with the number of complaints in proportion to the customer base of each network provider, enabling a fair assessment to be made across all networks.

Good news for customers of the Three network who are travelling to New Zealand to watch the Rugby World Cup, as the network has slashed data roaming charges of up to 80% allowing users of smartphones, tablets and dongles to manage costs during the tournament.

The Rugby World Cup event runs from the 9th September to the 31st October, and the deal is available to all Three customers at no additional cost. The cost reduces the standard charge of £6 per MB usually charged for data roaming in New Zealand down to just £1.28 per MB, which matches the standard data charge for Three customers roaming in Europe.

With the lower charge in place, customers will now be able to make use of standard mobile internet services such as email, web browsing and accessing social networks without worrying about the bill on return. The charge is currently the lowest available to UK customers roaming in New Zealand for the tournament.

“Smartphones have revolutionised how we all keep in touch with our friends and family, the latest news, aports results and much, much more,” said Three Marketing Director, Thomas Malleschitz. “But the cost of roaming abroad can be ferociously high, and that leaves people with the fear of bill shock. So despite being on the other side of the world, by getting the data price for roaming in New Zealand down to the same rate as roaming in Europe, Three's customers can continue to stay connected and share their experience of rugby's biggest tournament.”

If you are heading out to the Rugby World Cup and are not using the Three network, head on over to our Three Deals page for the latest handsets and offers.

Customers of Everything Everywhere and Three are set for a boost to their mobile data speeds, following a £100 million plus agreement with Virgin Media Business.

The involves Mobile Broadband Network Limited, (MBNL), a 50/50 joint venture set up in 2007, between T-Mobile and Three to manage and deliver the combined 3G networks of each company. The tie-up between Orange and T-Mobile now involves each of those networks under the umbrella of Everything Everywhere.

The deal agreed with Virgin Media Business makes the MBNL the first company to roll out Virgin's IEEE Synchronous Ethernet solution, enabling MBNL to support consumer demand for mobile internet services, as networks set their sights on implementing 4G network services.

The deal is set for 8 years initially, and will see Virgin Media Business building 14 regional networks across the UK to enhance MBNL network capacity. For consumers this will provide an improved data experience, allowing more capacity to provide 3G enabled functions, including video calls, video streaming and downloads, and mobile music and TV services.

The service is set to be the UK's only synchronous Ethernet mobile backhaul service, and the first phase will see MBNL benefit from a one Gigabit per second Ethernet service.

Neil Berkett, CEO at Virgin Media, said: “People no longer epxect to simply make calls from their mobile phone. Being connected all the time to social networks, the internet and their favourite apps is very much a basic expectation which operators need to delver on. Investing now mans they will be able to deal with the escalating data demands of today and tomorrow.”

“Mobile data and the increase in smartphone usage is a big growth opportunity for us,” said Graham Payne, Managing Director of MBNL. “Connecting our end users to the online world, from any location and from any device is at the heart of what we do. Working together with Virgin Media Business, the first company in the market to offer this synchronous Gigabit Ethernet service, we will be able to scale for future demand.”

UK network Three has relaunched their online games store, in partnership with content provider Livewire Mobile, aiming to attract users from across the spectrum, from casual downloaders to hardcore gamers.

The updated browser based portal now offers an extended range of Android games and apps, with a category for HD games as well as including social media integration, which will allow users to interact and compete with each other.

The relaunched store will be offering a range of content compatible with various operating systems, whilst Three will also be launching a dedicated Android app with integrated billing support, that will be ready for download before the busy Christmas period.

Three have a long term working relationship with Livewire, having partnered with them to launch the successful Music Store which is accessible via the network's mobile portal.

Head of Media Sales and Content at Three, Neil Andrews, said: “Livewire Mobile was selected to run the new Games Store because of its proven track record of user experience design and the successful retailing of mobile entertainment products for Three and other operators around the world. This is an area that continues to grow in popularity and with the biggest 3G network in the UK – and one designed for the high-speed mobile internet – we believe our customers now have access to the very best mobile Games Store in the UK wherever they are.”