O2 has responded to reports that users have been bypassing the forthcoming iPhone tethering charges by stating it will disconnect or charge offenders.
The internet is rife with reports of a site hosting a file for your iPhone that configures the device to act as a modem, using the free data allowance included in the monthly contract.
However, O2 has smartly responded to the news, telling TechRadar that it will come down hard on such users:
"Internet rumours suggest that some customers have modified their iPhone to enable Internet Tethering without the purchase of the Internet Tethering Bolt On. Any use of this particular feature without the purchase of the Bolt on is specifically prohibited under our terms of service.
Disconnection and option
"Under those terms we reserve the right to charge customers making modem use of their iPhone or disconnect them. If customers wish to use the Internet Tethering feature on their iPhone 3G or iPhone 3G S, we recommend taking the Bolt On which is available from Friday 19 June."
We're still waiting to find out exactly how O2 will know the difference between data on the mobile and on a laptop, although simple usage graphs would show a sharp increase in data consumption.
However, whether this is enough for the network to prove tethering wrongdoing is also unclear, so we're still waiting for clarification on the subject.
Your comments (16) Click to add a new comment
bigjd
August 10th
16. I currently have a windows bassed phone on O2 with unlimited web bolt on. I can use my phone as a modem with out any extra charge. I have been looking at the iphones for a while and was waiting for tethering to be an option. But why would i want to buy a new phone when i am going to have to pay for tethering. Think O2 need to sort themselves out.
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jonsims
August 3rd
15. If I purchase a magnifying glass to actualy be able to view the data I have already paid to access, wirhout going blind, would they try to charges me a monthly fee for that as well? As a consumer this is what I feel would be fair and resonable.
A one time activation fee $20 or less.
If you go over 5 gig per month you pay extra for the extra.
I am already paying for Internet access for my phone. Why should I have to pay even more just because I actully want to read it? I will only use this service about 2 hours a month if that. This is why I purchaced the Iphone in the first place. Dial up, DSL and anything else was to expencive for me to even want it. Limited options in my rural area have kept me in the stone age for years. If the phone company will not come up with an acceptable solution for people like me then it's their loss because I have lived just fine all my life witout it. I am trying to thrust myself into the current century but corperate greed has already left a bad taste in my mouth. Don't try to justify trying to charge me more for a service I am already paying for or I will drop the he thing like a dead skunk.
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mum4d
July 22nd
14. I was using the Tethering hack and as of 20/07/09 my 3G service stopped working. I removed the Tethering profile and 3G is working again!!! So, O2 DO have a way to detect and stop you using the hack
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danlud
June 28th
13. I was wondering if anyone has found out if this truly is free? Or, if O2 have found a way to charge for it with this workaround?
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toekneecee
June 19th
12. Corporate Irony--I wonder if there's an app for that?
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toekneecee
June 19th
11. So, 'tethering' is built-in and not charged separately on other phones according to some of you below. Then on a separate issue, some bright chap from O2 quotes "We feel strongly that there shouldn't be one set of rules for one set of customers, and another set for the others. It's only fair that we have good policies and treat all our customers fairly," said Steve Alder, General Manager of Devices for O2 UK. Absolutely pathetic, but based on my experience of their customer service, at least they're consistent. O2, you're right up there with former paragons of service, NTL.
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