UK's O2 to impose 3G data limits for iPhone 4 users
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 10th 2010 9:59AM
posted June 10th 2010 9:59AM
It seems like the entire United Kingdom (at least those who aren't out partying it up with Patsy Kensit at the Met Bar) has emailed us in the last two minutes to clue us in on the fact that O2 has posted its new iPhone 4 pricing. It looks like your beloved "unlimited 3G" plans of are a thing of the past -- instead, you'll be paying for up to 1GB of data of month. As you approach the limit, a text message will notify you and let you purchase an 500MB for £5 or 1GB for £10. How very AT&T of them, eh? But don't worry, kids! Texting is still unlimited.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in... and we mean everyone.]
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in... and we mean everyone.]
and so it begins
@tehslax
demand for apple products are so inelastic that sellers can screw the consumers; but still demand for the product will not diminish.
@Dr Lisbon
unfortunately this is true. Most iphone demographic are not heavy users though. Still If I have a limit to the amount of data I can use, I feel constrained and will not enjoy my device as much
I just checked my last couple of bills....1.5GB data a month used. Highest contract is £65/month with just 1GB??? And charging for MMS is a joke.
Praying for a good deal from Voda/Orange/3. Come on guys!
@Seprothia
I meant to also say "Goodbye O2"
@tehslax with the iPhone 4 data caps will be shredded in the first day! just imagine running netflix for an hour will take 80% of your 1GB cap! Unfortunately these companies are going to have heavy profits just because people don't understand that with this new phone data has such an emphasis on data usage...
@IceTheGreat meant to say the 200MB plan not 1GB (which is really 2GB) :p
@tehslax
Got my Streak at the weekend - unlimited texts, data and 600 minutes :)!
N.B. Yes, unlimited.
Poor iPhone 4 users :(.
@Seprothia Just so you know, this has been the case on all the carriers for the past few years. The "fair use" policy means they limit it, usually to 1GB or even 500mb on some networks *coughvodaphonecough*. On my "unlimited" data plan I've gotten several messages saying I've reached the limit of the fair use policy.
If you look at the small print of the contracts, they all say this. At least O2 is being more up-front about the limits now
@maty
And its free on the same price plans as the iphone. if I was on o2 its what I'd go for
@Fragmented
True, but it would be nice if the plans were, you know fairly cheaper to compensate. From what I can see, they aren't.
@fpad77
I don't understand how Steve Jobs in his presentation of FaceTime claimed that apple is first with video-call with hand held devices. Here in Europ we have had video calling over 3g network since 2004-2005, and with no restriction like "iPhone to iPhone". You pick any 3g phone and you can video-call any other 3g phone on other networks regardless of brand or provider. I just saw another presentation on iPhone 4 on apple's site, where one of the developer says "iPhone has brought video calling to the world".
@tehslax
All those Facebook updates are just going to have to be cut back! Haha.
O2 are a bit unfair with this (for ALL smartphone users) but are going to make a lot of money. Business users who use the phones for a lot of email and need more data should be allowed more for their money, but who seriously uses that much data with a personal contract.
All iPhone users should be warned about downloading apps direct over 3G (or HSDPA) and just do it through their computer or Wi-Fi to reduce data usage...
@tehslax I don′t see the big deal. I have always had 512 MB. Unlimited never was the option in my country. Hopefully, it will get better in future and once they figure out better solutions for distributing fast internet access everywhere, it will be cheaper and unlimited. In a few years, we′ll have more accessible internet access everywhere we go..just wait and see.
@tehslax Does iAds get updated over 3G? If so that will be using up the limited data.
@IceTheGreat the UK doesn't get netflix, i believe :)
@tehslax
I'm more annoyed that they are charging MMS when at the moment it's charged at 4 SMS which I have as part of my package.
It curious how a trend can go just the opposite direction in different countries. Here in Spain, up until may 3 or 6 months ago, there was no unlimited data plan. Movistar with the iphone was the first to introduce "Unlimited" with speed cap after 1 GB. Now orange has the same for the premium data plan (12€), compared to the still limited 8€ data plan with 300MB cap.
@Seprothia that makes two of us! Bye O2!
I only use 140mb/month and I thought I was a heavy user! I only use 250 inclusive mins each month too, so the new limits will not affect me. However, assuming the outright purchase price is around £500, there would be a saving of over £150 to be made over 18months by opting for the 12 month £15 simplicity tariff. Plus, in 12 months when the next iPhone comes out, I’m not tied into another 6 months…. I think I know what I’ll be doing. (oh, at my home, the only network I can pick up is O2– so I can’t jump ship!!!)
@MbZbuGSy
it's apple's way of taking credit. i'm surprised that they didnt claim the invention of multi-tasking for smartphones in general....
@MbZbuGSy
Try watching the keynote. He doesn't claim that. Most of the "firsts" that Apple claim are actually claimed by morons who read a liveblog feed, add made-up shit on their own, then post it as fact.
@qakgob
Actually, one of the major selling points for O2 over other carriers on iPhone has been the truly (and I mean TRULY) unlimited data. I have used >7gb in a month before (when Sky Mobile Player introduced streaming over 3G) and didn't hear a word about it. Indeed, on average my use is between 2-3gb, and O2 don't care. Also, other carriers don't tend to charge you for going over your limit, but if you frequently do so they'll warn you first. Imposing hard limits in today's data-centric world is BS.
@petebob796 You made an awesome point! Will iAds eat into the bandwidth, more significant if you are on the 200MB plan.
@tehslax 3 could really pull it out of the bag here. They haven't got the strongest network, but they've always pioneered 3G, so they've got strong data coverage. Hopefully they'll leapfrog all the other networks and announce a reasonably priced unlimited data contract. We can dream!
@maty Ja Ja!? It will not be only against iPhone users...
@IceTheGreat Whilst I agree with you that the new caps are terrible (currently O2 offers 3GB), you'd be silly to run Netflix over HSDPA - the slow download speed would make it an extremely poor experience.
@Seprothia Say no to O2!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124052370966174
@MbZbuGSy
Lol that's magical and revolutionary for you. Of course Apple is the first to "innovate" these amazing features.
@tehslax
YES! I'm on 3.
:D
*Waits to be shutdown by a post of 3's even tighter restrictions...*
@MbZbuGSy I dont think it was Steve claiming that they are the originators of it. To be fair though, its not at all common here in the states, this is pretty much the first phone that will popularize it it seems.
@MbZbuGSy
I agree it was a bit misleading but if you listen to the keynote you'll hear them say they weren't the first, like they weren't the first for multi tasking or copy and paste, just the first to get it right, I had a Nokia N73 years ago with video calling and even with full 3G coverage it was shocking.
@tehslax
UNLIMITED MY ASS.
@petebob796 yes that had crossed my mind as well!
@Seprothia
It would be extremely easy to undercut o2 on this by allowing unlimited internet access and they could steal some valued customers.
@Seprothia
Ditto. Adios O2. I will burn through that 500meg within 2 weeks. I use the sky mobile player alot on my journey home and to work.
I would go back to Orange but there data plans suck worse than the new O2 one!
So it's either t-mobile or 3. And I shiver at the thought of using 3. They make AT&T coverage look positively amazing.
@MbZbuGSy not only that but video calls used to come out of your inclusive calls allowance just like mms used to come out of your sms allowance... bit by bit we're getting shafted. give it a couple of years and we'll have crappy phone subsidies just like in the US.
@maty What is your opinion of the Streak? I am getting one next month wondered if you could review it briefly. Thanks.
Well that is me looking to jump ship to another network. from "Unlimited" to 500Mb/1Gb. That is just wrong.
@dazzla76 When they get Facetime on 3G rather than only WiFi, there will be nonstop complaints.
@dcoaster "FaceTime for 3G" already exists - it's called 3G video calling and has existed for about a decade since the introduction of 3G services.
@dcoaster
Just because you give it a new, stupid name, it doesn't make it new tech.
@Alex Wright Did anyone say it was new tech? They just said when it is introduced.
We all know that video calling has been around for years.
@dcoaster
If you heard jobs in the presentation he mentioned that facetime wasn't on 3G yet because data plans hadn't been sorted.
Expect facetime calls to be an entirely separate cost much like old school video calls.
:( sad.
I feel bad for my British kin.....:(
@BrookLynnsFinest They were just here talking to the U.S. consumers yesterday on how good it is to have real competition in their market. For all those who believed it a few days ago, it's time for their carriers to put up or shut up.
By the way, my opinion, this would be a harder thing to do without that big T-mo/Orange merger a few months back. I was a little disappointed that they let it go through...less competition=more pain come bill time.
@BrookLynnsFinest
Aw, its nice you care, but its not all bad. Streak is amazing :). I feel bad for my American kin who don't have it :(.
There has always been an unwritten 'fair use policy' for O2. Its just odd seeing an actual figure being written down.
@stringent The 'fair use' policy on my O2 "unlimited data" contract is 3GB/mo - I hope that doesn't change any time soon!