The good news of multicarrier support for the iPhone in the UK is beginning to dwindle.
Orange announced it would be selling the device in the UK from November 10th but with a limited 750mb “unlimited” data download. Naturally, Orange’s potential iPhone customers have been left frustrated and considerably unhappy.
Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC’s technology correspondent, browsed through Orange’s Terms and Conditions and discovered the following:
“Not to be used for other activities (eg using your handset as a modem, non-Orange internet based streaming services, voice or video over the internet, instant messaging, peer to peer file sharing, non-Orange internet based video). Should such use be detected notice may be given and Network protection controls applied to all services which Orange does not believe constitutes mobile browsing.”
Yep, no non-Orange based streaming services!? That doesn’t just constitute restrictions on data limits but also restrictions on the types of applications users can run. Nuts.
O2 have a similar “fair use” policy, albeit no restriction to the types of applications available to its customers. Its fair use policy states that “reserves the right… to contact customers about their usage if we believe it adversely affects the service of our other customers”. CNet UK attempted to dig out an actual figure for O2′s limit with no luck.
After Cellan-Jones article on the matter, an Orange spokesman said the limit would “reviewed” to make sure that it was at the right level. That said, with or without a limit, will Orange allow non-orange based streaming services?
O2 is beginnig to feel like a decent place to be.
it’s not like anyone’s gonna bother using it, eh zee?
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
it’s ridiculous. How do they expect to compete?
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
Precisely Zee. O2 must be ever so pleased.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
well they won’t, obviously. it’s just newbies getting into the net neutrality debate. they’re going to get lynched
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
anyhow, it’s all good- this has to mean that getting unlocked phones will be easier… so then running it on t-mobile uk will be much simpler, especially given that it is such a better network
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
But Zee, consider. Do newbies even know that non-orange streaming services exist (apart from youtube)??
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
The strain on the O2 network, at least in London, is palpable. Most people chalk it up to increased data usage driven primarily by iPhone. The hope was that with Vodafone and Orange in the game that things would settle as the usage flattened across the services. Looks like that’s less likely to happen, now that Orange is providing a sub-optimal user experience. This kind of “protectionism” feels a lot like the music industry, before it got burned.
@iboy
+1 James. @Roberto honestly, I’d say YouTube and Spotify are enough to be pissed off about
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
Agreed Zee. I dislike restrictions in all its forms. I’d steer well clear of Orange on principle alone.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
The strain on the O2 network, at least in London, is palpable. Most people chalk it up to increased data usage driven primarily by iPhone. The hope was that with Vodafone and Orange in the game that things would settle as the usage flattened across the services. Looks like that’s less likely to happen, now that Orange is providing a sub-optimal user experience. This kind of “protectionism” feels a lot like the music industry, before it got burned.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
when i switched to tmo about 5 years ago, i was told during the sales pitch that tmo were investing a million pounds a month on their data infrastructure, to build for the future they knew was coming. i believed them- and still do; in areas they’ve got 3g, the data rate has been pretty decent and continues to be. It also makes sense: when money was cheap, they upgraded their network. now money is expensive, it’s impossible to invest. So don’t expect anything to change for a while!
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
"Not to be used for other activities (eg using your handset as a modem, non-Orange internet based streaming services, voice or video over the internet, instant messaging, peer to peer file sharing, non-Orange internet based video)." Why does it remind me of this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoNBkyMzDs8
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
Looks like Orange have really shot themselves in the foot here. There was a real buzz about when they announced they had the iPhone, but it’s all gone a bit flat with this and other restrictions like poor tariffs.
Although I agree with what’s being said, I think this is just the old T’s & C’s for Orange Internet services pre the iPhone. They will change them or not enforce them. That being said, Orange is actually the worst uk network in my view and the 750mb limit just goes to show they really do not understand this marketplace. Personally I think that Vodafone will be the network of choice for the uk come Feb when they start selling it. And I for one will be porting over as soon as I can.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
@James, I’ve tried an iPhone on tmob uk and it’s not as good a service as O2 tbh. All the networks upgraded in recent times to build proper 3g services. In my experience, Vodafone is by far the best for any Internet service.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
I wonder if twisting o2’s arm may get me a slight reduction.
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
it’s always worth ringing o2 and asking what could be done with your plan to get a small reduction – they do it. I keep meaning to leave them but then i check the other tarifs and deals at other providers and realise I am on a pretty good deal… sim only :)
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed