topic iPhone tethering: Greedy O2... in Discussions & Feedback

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:58:53 GMT

So you think it's a good idea to charge your customers extra to tether an iPhone to their laptop?

I think any customer with sense would rather just jailbreak their phone than pay an extra £15/month for a service they are already paying for...

Any reason for this outragous charging scheme, or is it just for the hell of it?? Worth a try??

Have you been living in a cave recently and not noticed that the general public aren't that happy with greed (see recent MP expenses scandals)?

Re: iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:18:40 GMT

So you think it's a good idea to charge your customers extra to tether an iPhone to their laptop?

o2 have been doing that for years, so yes, it's an established practice. o2 market (admittedly not very visibly) the Web Max bolt-on to allow tethering. This is charged at £30 a month. So the same service for £15 on the iPhone is a bargain. How can that be greedy - half price tethering?

Anyone using the phone as a modem on the standard unlimited web bolt-on is acting against the T&C's.

SV

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:29:15 GMT

Actually I'm not happy with the "greed" of the iphone users posting on the forums since the release last night. At the moment, the iphone gives you unlimited data and free wifi plus loads of minutes as standard compared to other contracts. Yet iphone owners want more by expecting tethering to be free! Check the T&C's for the use of unlimited data on mobile phones. It's effectively turning the iphone into a usb dongle which is chargeable. That could be useful for people who don't want to carry an additional dongle along when one device could be used. That price is inline with mobile broadband dongles.

finally someone who doesnt want somethig for free
i am sick of people who wants EVERYTHINg for nothing maybe if people werent so greedy then businesses wouldnt be struggling and this country wouldnt be so deep in recession
i have always paid for recieving a service and would never expect to get things for free
and tethering is and additional service to the iphone browsing so you should pay for it

Re: iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:39:15 GMT

Any reason for this outragous charging scheme, or is it just for the hell of it?? Worth a try??
Have you been living in a cave recently and not noticed that the general public aren't that happy with greed (see recent MP expenses scandals)?

There is no way any network in the world could offer free unlimited tethering data in the same way as fixed line broadband. The technology doesn't exist for that to happen (yet). Any network that offered it today would crash very quickly. So it has to priced at a point that takeup won't be huge.

The O2 pricing is actually fair and reasonable when you understand the limitations of the technology being used.

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:54:34 GMT

When the tethering was announced I was quite excited until I saw t he charges they impose. I don't think o2 understand what unlimited actually means. For those who don't know, it means as much internet as you want using your iPhone. So why o2 want to charge extra for using THE PHONES internet just on a laptop is unclear to me - apart from they are greedy which we all know is true judging from todays episode.

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:45:11 GMT

I don't agree that tethering should be distinct from mobile internet usage on the phone. Internet traffic is Internet traffic regardless of source or destination. If, say, the standard data plan offered a few hundred MB per month and the tethering extra extended that allowance to allow bigger downloading up to 3-5GB per month, that would be perfectly fine. It's the restricting of which device I use to access the Internet that I find an issue.

However, if I tether my iPhone for a few minutes to download a few emails here and there, there's not going to be any difference in the traffic I generate between that and using my iPhone to read my email!

(Note: I have a first-generation EDGE iPhone which would make it very difficult for me to generate large traffic on O2 unless I tried very, very hard to)

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:24:45 GMT

I don't agree that tethering should be distinct from mobile internet usage on the phone. Internet traffic is Internet traffic regardless of source or destination. If, say, the standard data plan offered a few hundred MB per month and the tethering extra extended that allowance to allow bigger downloading up to 3-5GB per month, that would be perfectly fine. It's the restricting of which device I use to access the Internet that I find an issue.
However, if I tether my iPhone for a few minutes to download a few emails here and there, there's not going to be any difference in the traffic I generate between that and using my iPhone to read my email!
(Note: I have a first-generation EDGE iPhone which would make it very difficult for me to generate large traffic on O2 unless I tried very, very hard to)

If I may say so, that's the most balanced argument I've seen on here.

Glad to see some people can think the matter through objectively without knee-jerk reactions.

For what it's worth I fully agree. You should be able to tether within a set limit, then maybe pay extra for a higher limit. And infrequent use should not be a problem and something I doubt o2 would ever bother looking at.

However, the fact remains, for whatever reason, o2 do not allow tethering without paying for the Web Max bolt-on or the new iPhone tethering charge. So people who do that do so at the risk of paying a heavy bill if they get "found out". If folk are willing to take that risk, that's their own business IMHO.

SV

Tethering

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:59:24 GMT

I think charging for tethering is a really bad idea. I was using a certain other make of phone as an unlimited 3G modem before the iphone was even released and i have been missing this and picture messaging ever since. I agree that there could be a cap on excessive data usage but 'reasonable usage' i.e the kinds of levels of data we are already paying for on a monthly contract should surely be free. I hardly use my laptop anymore outside work but occasionally I would like to do so. I'm hardly going to pay another £15 a month for this privilege. Disappointed O2 😞

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:19:37 GMT

Excuse me - something for nothing? Are you serious. I currently pay O2 £90 a year for unlimited data on my iphone on top of the £300 I pay for call's and texts. I use my computer and phone for business and all I want to use tethering for is to send and receive a my emails onto my computer when I can and for the times when I need to send or be sent a file while I'm on the road. I am not into downloading hours of video nor will I ever be. BTW this is something I could do with ease on my N95 on Orange with no problems.

So please tell me how 02 can justify charging me an extra £10 a month just so I can send a few emails.

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:30:03 GMT

The answer is simple - Don't use it if it is going to charge you a fortune. If the demand drops, I believe that O2 might just scrap the idea of charging customers at all, don't you think so?

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:49:58 GMT

This is typical greedy and monopolistic behaviour by O2.

O2 and other mobile network providers are in for a rude awakening, as this is precisely the kind of dubious practice currently being investigated by the European Information Society and Media Commissioner, Viviane Reding.

She won on reducing international roaming charges and is now concentrating on data charge profiteering.

I suggest O2 customers write to her directly with their experiences and grievances - the more customer feedback she gets, the more evidence she can compile against the operators.

Viviane Reding's email is viviane.reding@ec.europa.eu

BTW, I am not impressed by the number of O2 employees planted in this forum to try to contradict genuine customer grievances.

Re: iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:22:00 GMT

So you think it's a good idea to charge your customers extra to tether an iPhone to their laptop?

o2 have been doing that for years, so yes, it's an established practice. o2 market (admittedly not very visibly) the Web Max bolt-on to allow tethering. This is charged at £30 a month. So the same service for £15 on the iPhone is a bargain. How can that be greedy - half price tethering?
Anyone using the phone as a modem on the standard unlimited web bolt-on is acting against the T&C's.
SV

Completely agree with this guy.

iPhone users (hey I have two so shut it) are under the illusion that their swiss-army-knife device should come with everything for free.

Here's some news: All carriers are businesses and the airwaves are not run on willpower alone. Even if they were a charity, they'd charge, because you're not the one starving to death. Seriously, what a bunch of self-indulgent cry babies.

Grow up everyone.

BTW I'm definitely NOT an O2 employee. I have heaps of issues with O2 (and all carriers), but I've got my head screwed on the right way up.

Iphone tethering

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:43:07 GMT

I agree 100% with the last post.

I own an Iphone and think its the best thing since sliced bread.

It really, really annoys me that a lot of Iphone users feel they are 'better' then other mobile users and feel they have a God given right to get every thing either for free or for next to nothing!!

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR - exactly the same as everyone else!!

:robotmad:

Re: Iphone tethering

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:59:20 GMT

I agree 100% with the last post.

I own an Iphone and think its the best thing since sliced bread.

It really, really annoys me that a lot of Iphone users feel they are 'better' then other mobile users and feel they have a God given right to get every thing either for free or for next to nothing!!

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR - exactly the same as everyone else!!

:evil:

I for one don't think I have the right to something for nothing. FWIW I am freelance and know the value of my most important assets: time and knowledge.

That said, I have a problem with the fact I pay O2 quite a decent whack of money already for access to the network. All I want is the ability to send a few emails from my laptop as opposed to typing them on my phone. The total amount of data I will send and receive will not change if I have tethering.

So why should I be charged more?

Re: Iphone tethering

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:27:06 GMT

I agree 100% with the last post.
I own an Iphone and think its the best thing since sliced bread.
It really, really annoys me that a lot of Iphone users feel they are 'better' then other mobile users and feel they have a God given right to get every thing either for free or for next to nothing!!
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR - exactly the same as everyone else!!
:robotmad:

I for one don't think I have the right to something for nothing. FWIW I am freelance and know the value of my most important assets: time and knowledge.

That said, I have a problem with the fact I pay O2 quite a decent whack of money already for access to the network. All I want is the ability to send a few emails from my laptop as opposed to typing them on my phone. The total amount of data I will send and receive will not change if I have tethering.
So why should I be charged more?

You would have noticed I said 'a lot of iPhone users', I was not tarring everyone with the same brush!

Ok, I have no wish to get involved in a long running exchange over this, as like you, my time is valuable.

You pay 02 a 'decent whack' of money for the iPhone and the services that come with the package, for which you pay and agreed to a set amount each month, ergo, you were prepared to pay 'x' amount per month for the service you received.

A new software release now allows a new application.

02 is a Business, it would be reckless of it not to charge for this new service, (iPhone now = mobile dongle), therefore it may lose sales on its mobile dongles as people just buy Iphones instead. This is basic business common sense.

It is not forced on anyone, if you want to use it this way, why should you not pay for it?

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:25:00 GMT

the inclusive internet is for phone use only, once you start to use tethering you are turning the phone into a mobile broadband dongle which they charge for. YTOU ARE STILL GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

If you want more pay more.

iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:05:06 GMT

I see it from a different point of view.

For years we have been able to use a 3G mobile as a modem - at least three years. When I was on Orange with a Nokia handset they made no distinction between handset or laptop use.

Now, at the start of the year I switched over to 02 and the iphone with the knowledge that legit tethering was round the corner. Data's data right? There is no difference in the amount of data or kind of signal I am using to go between my laptop or phone so, if I am paying to send data over the network already where does it matter where its coming from or going to?

So why charge more?

The only conclusion is that 02 must be convinced that users are overnight going to start downloading films on there laptops for free, which is fine and understandable. Except that: There's this fair use policy we've all been talking about, so presumably anyone downloading films will surely break this so at that point you start charging or restricting those users.

As to the logic and justification of 02 charging:

I don't want a dongle, I don't use one enough to justify it otherwise I'd have one. I cannot be alone in wanting the occasional use of data on my laptop. And anyway, with a dongle you are paying for the hardware and access to a service and facility you don't already have. I would point out I have the hardware and to a point already pay for the service. So why should I pay again?

Lastly, Can someone please tell me what difference it makes to 02 in terms of use of energy and resources if I download the same amount of data to my laptop as opposed to my phone?

Re: iPhone tethering: Greedy O2...

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:30:55 GMT

So you think it's a good idea to charge your customers extra to tether an iPhone to their laptop?

o2 have been doing that for years, so yes, it's an established practice. o2 market (admittedly not very visibly) the Web Max bolt-on to allow tethering. This is charged at £30 a month. So the same service for £15 on the iPhone is a bargain. How can that be greedy - half price tethering?
Anyone using the phone as a modem on the standard unlimited web bolt-on is acting against the T&C's.
SV

Completely agree with this guy.
iPhone users (hey I have two so shut it) are under the illusion that their swiss-army-knife device should come with everything for free.
Here's some news: All carriers are businesses and the airwaves are not run on willpower alone. Even if they were a charity, they'd charge, because you're not the one starving to death. Seriously, what a bunch of self-indulgent cry babies.
Grow up everyone.
BTW I'm definitely NOT an O2 employee. I have heaps of issues with O2 (and all carriers), but I've got my head screwed on the right way up.

if they are gonna charge for it, they should consider what they are charging. £15 a month! most ppl on a £35 contract are going to end up paying a minimum of £50 a month! If they aare gonna charge for it, they need alot more options for bolt ons, first - they should reduce the price as a few ppl said, they already charge £15 for mobile broadband and at 3GB, its alot more expensive than most carriers. for users like me, i may use it once or twice a month, when using the train or something, and o2 need to consider that market, and have a cheaper - even if it has a much lower data allowance, but the feature should be available at a much lower price, or free... but anyawy, whats the difference between using 'free unlimited' itnernet on the iphone, and then charging for tethering to access the internet on a laptop! or maybe certain amount of data for tethering included in your contract... there are many options, and o2 have chosen the harshest one!

Re: Iphone tethering

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:12:24 GMT

All I want is the ability to send a few emails from my laptop as opposed to typing them on my phone. The total amount of data I will send and receive will not change if I have tethering.
So why should I be charged more?

I realise that the official O2 stance is 'no tethering allowed', but as it's been said many times before on these forums, O2 won't penalise you or immediately and automatically start charging you if you tether occasionally and for light use only. If like you say you will only be sending a few emails from your laptop as opposed from your phone, then you will be fine to use tethering from time to time for this purpose.

If you do start overdoing it, O2's T&Cs state that they will try to contact you first before surcharging you, so you will not be charged automatically without warning - if you are, it will be against O2's own T&Cs

Re: Iphone tethering

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:06:48 GMT

O2 won't penalise you or immediately and automatically start charging you if you tether occasionally and for light use only. If like you say you will only be sending a few emails from your laptop as opposed from your phone, then you will be fine to use tethering from time to time for this purpose.
If you do start overdoing it, O2's T&Cs state that they will try to contact you first before surcharging you, so you will not be charged automatically without warning - if you are, it will be against O2's own T&Cs

I really hope that that is the case as I would probably only very occasionally want to use tethering which is probably why the idea of charging extra for it annoys me so much. I did see a screenshot of the 3.0 software that showed a message saying you would have to contact O2 to set up tethering on the phone but it would really suit me if O2 let the odd bit of data "slip through". Oh well, only another hour or so until we find out