Apple iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.)

[James82]

I had this conversation on email chat with a customer service rep and was surprised by the reply, I wanted to check before I buy a sim free phone that I would still be able to keep my tariff and unlimited data, seems not, and not even if I do nothing and just stick with my 3G:

info: Welcome to O2 live chat. Someone will start chatting with you soon.
info: You're through to Ian.
Ian: Hi I'm Ian from O2 Online Chat. How can I help you today?
James: If I uy an iPhone 4 sim free from another company will o2 send me the micro sim and keep me on the same tariff?
Ian: I'll help you with your query, can I ask you some questions regarding your account, first?
James: why?
Ian: We need to check your tariff details. This is the reason we want to ask you some security questions. Is this fine with you?
James: I'm on the iphone 20 simplicity tariff.
Ian: Yes, then be assured about it. You can collect a micro SIM from our store and use it with an SIM free iPhone 4. Is there anything else I can help you with?
James: And I'll keep the same number, same tariff and unlimited data?
Ian: The number and the tariff will remain the same. But you'll get unlimited internet to use till 30th September and then on 1st October we'll replace it with data allowance as per your tariff compatibility.
James: If I stay with my current iPhone presumably my unlimited data will continue?
Ian: Yes, till 30th September only.
James: why? That's a significant change to my contract.
Ian: We're changing the data allowance on all our Smartphones and iPhone contracts.
James: Every article I have read says only new and upgrading customers will have data limits, those on existing contracts will stay on their current contract.
Ian: Yes, I agree with you. But with our new iPhone 4 deals we're offering data allowance. But the existing iPhone contract customers will get the free unlimited internet service till 30th September then they'll be given data allowance.
James: Well your own press statement says that existing contracts will continue with unlimited data, no mention of a 30 September deadline: http://mediacentre.o2.co.uk/Press-Relea ... l-2a3.aspx
Ian: We can't comment on that. But if you'll scroll down on our iPhone deals page then you'll find this information over there. (Unlimited data on all smartphone tariffs is a promotion until 1 October 2010. Excessive usage policy and terms apply.)
James: But that is for new and upgrading customers, I will be continuing on my current tariff.
Ian: I agree with you. It's applicable for all our Smartphones and iPhone customers.
James: I don't understand what you agree with me on. So are you saying I will have unlimited data as long as I keep my contract?
Ian: As I've mentioned previously you'll get unlimited internet to use till 30th September then from 1st October we'll replace it with data allowance. It's applicable to all our It's applicable for all our new and existing Smartphones and iPhone customers.
James: So you don't agree with me, I'm confused. Anyway your own press release quite clearly states: "Existing customers will continue under their present terms, unlimited data usage with an Excessive Use Policy."
Ian: I'm sorry about that but we'll change the internet allowance on all our iPhone and Smartphone tariffs. Is there anything else I can help you with?
James: No, but I'll be looking into this further as the information provided is clearly contradictory to that provided on the website and the change in terms is clearly substantial and therefore construes a breach of contract in my opinion.
info: We'll email a copy of your chat transcript to .
Ian: I'm sorry about that. Thanks for chatting with me. Bye.


Does anybody know what the actual position is? Will existing customers keeping their contracts keep their unlimited data?

[adamtemp64 Level 50: Versatile]

the original iphone tariffs said unlimited web/wifi was a promotion.

I will dig the clause out later and post.

But my interpretation is we all will go to 500mb on old tariffs.

so applies to feb2010 tariffs untill the june tariffs. The 2009 tariffs I cannot track down the t&c at present (but from memory they had the same clause).

Included Unlimited Wi-Fi and Web Bolt Ons for iPhone Customers only
The Unlimited Wi-Fi and Web Bolt On is included at no extra cost for customers connecting or upgrading to any iPhone tariff until further notice. O2 reserves the right to withdraw or amend this offer at any time on reasonable notice. Participating customers will receive 30 days notice via text message if changes are made to their disadvantage. Excessive usage policy applies see Data Bolt Ons terms below.
Selected devices may be available from O2 with an inclusive Data and Wi-Fi Bolt On. Please note that not all devices can facilitate use by you of the Wi-Fi element of this Bolt On (for reasons including device incompatibility or restrictions upon O2), which may prevent the Wi-Fi service from being available to you.

[James82]

My original contract was taken out in September 2008 and I switched to the iPhone Simplicity 20 tariff in February 2010 when my 18 months was up. My plan was to buy a sim free iPhone 4 once the signal problems have been sorted out and carry on with my simplicity tariff and unlimited data.

I was really only contacting o2 to check that I could get a micro sim and move my number and tariff over to the new sim, the unlimited data was just something I was double checking in case there was some way by getting a new sim card they could force me onto the new tariff.

The press release (http://mediacentre.o2.co.uk/Press-Releases/O2-introduces-new-mobile-data-pricing-model-2a3.aspx) made it quite clear that existing customers would keep their unlimited data, so when I was told that all existing customers would lose this at the end of September I was quite surprised.

If it's true it seems like buying the phone and keeping the tariff isn't going to be worth it if I can't keep the unlimited data, in which case I might as well shop around with other providers. I realise they're all limiting data, but at least other companies aren't saying one thing in a press release and then doing the complete opposite. It looks like o2 will be throwing all their exisiting contract customers into the arms of their competitors if they suddenly cut off their unlimited data after they clearly stated they wouldn't.

[adamtemp64 Level 50: Versatile]

so you have a simplicity tariff from feb 2010 which says they will notify you of a change 30 days before removal. Your sep 2008 contract is no longer relevant.

The press release says "continue under current terms" your terms allow for removal of the unlimited promotional allowance.

I would say if the 2009 tariffs did not word it that way then they will be unlimited but those tariff terms have been removed as far as I can tell.

[jack_downing]

so you have a simplicity tariff from feb 2010 which says they will notify you of a change 30 days before removal. Your sep 2008 contract is no longer relevant.

Simply:

If you take out a contract before 24 June 2010, you will still receive unlimited data.

If you take out a contract on or after 24 June, you will receive unlimited data until October. After this, your data usage will be capped.

If your contract ends in, let's say January 2011, and you started your contract in January 2010, you will receive your unlimited data right up to January 2011. If you wish to renew your contract, there is no way to receive unlimited data. The data will be capped.

[Embraer]

If your contract ends in, let's say January 2011, and you started your contract in January 2010, you will receive your unlimited data right up to January 2011. If you wish to renew your contract, there is no way to receive unlimited data. The data will be capped.

Still makes little sense. So what you are saying is you'll get unlimited data for the duration of the contract and after that date it'll be capped? Surely that effects the terms of your contract irrespective of the initial length of it.

O2 customer services are still equally confused. Spoke to 2 people and got completely opposing statements about what happens to existing tariff holders after September with regards unlimited data, one saying you'll migrate to capped data and the other that as you're a legacy tariff you can continue under its terms until you decide to change your tariff. On both occasions I mentioned iPhone4, so I rang a third time and without mentioning changing my phone/tariff I asked what would happen to my existing tariff towards the end of the year. They stated that I'll continue on my existing tariff with the unlimited data until I changed my tariff. I then mentioned the possibility of my getting an unlocked 4 at a later date and they stated that it wouldn't change my terms

[jonb]

I'm on an unlimited data plan currently on a contract taken out at end of Sept 2009 so it doesnt effect me for a while yet but i checked and bar one month, which coincided with a free month of Sky Mobile TV, i've never got close to 500Gb a month and i'm not a light user by any means. Use streaming radio a lot, TV Catchup, JustinTV and plenty of browsing, Facebook app etc.

[Embraer]

Still don't understand why you say it doesn't effect you YET. O2 can't change your existing contract

EDIT - noted that you were mid contract, not end-contract, so yes it will effect you but only if you upgrade, not if you get an unlocked phone direct

[rf69]

as posted millions of times before

only new customers or customers who have upgraded to the iphone will have data cap,

if you change your price plan after 24th June your data will be capped.

If you stay on your old price plan your data will not be capped, (at this stage)

i am really not sure how this is hard to understand !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Embraer]

It's isn't. I'd always assumed that what you say was the case. People just seem to want to cloud the issue (including O2 CS, which is bizarre). Now to sit on the waiting list and wait for my nice 32gb, one week down, two (?) to go, and a nice free bumper from St Steve as well, cheers