O2 now blocking sites

Honda08 · 15-10-2009 3:41pm

PaintDoctor wrote: »

To be fair to Daryll, he's normally on the ball. Enough noise here, and it might be enough to force a u turn?

to be honest i reckon most people just want to be treated fair, ie yea let them change the contract if they so like, but give the customer the option to cancel without penalty ...

that would be the fair thing to do.

Captain Furball · 15-10-2009 3:56pm

Honda08 wrote: »

to be honest i reckon most people just want to be treated fair, ie yea let them change the contract if they so like, but give the customer the option to cancel without penalty ...

that would be the fair thing to do.

Haven't they broken their contract?If so,have they provided you an option of cancelling -without fear of such reprisals?

polyfusion · 15-10-2009 3:56pm

Hey, maybe the service will improve when all the filesharing downloaders decide to quit O2.

Honda08 · 15-10-2009 4:03pm

polyfusion wrote: »

Hey, maybe the service will improve when all the filesharing downloaders decide to quit O2.

i know of a few who were going to sign up to o2 to get mobile broadband...

i told them that i heard about the vodafone offer, of €14.99 for the same deal
and they went with that.. it actually seems to work quite ok

jor el · 15-10-2009 4:04pm

PaintDoctor wrote: »

I'm an o2 customer also, but I've been using the Dovado UMR router and Open DNS for a long while, so I haven't seen these issues - but I disagree on principle with what o2 are doing here. Has anyone pointed this thread out to talk2o2Daryll?

There are several threads discussing this topic on O2's own forum. The mods there are well aware of it, and are basically denying any wrong doing. The official company lines is that they're going to continue blocking sites at their own discretion (based on what the IWF say) and are not willing to discuss options or opinions with customers.

Captain Furball wrote: »

The contract is not legally binding any more.So they provided you an option of cancelling -without fear of reprisals.

They have not provided such an option. They deny the contract was changed, or that it has been broken. They have given 1 person a "good will" escape from contract, which is not the same thing.

polyfusion wrote: »

Hey, maybe the service will improve when all the filesharing downloaders decide to quit O2.

With a cap of between 5-10GB a month, downloaders aren't going to cause too much of a problem. They're not likely to loose too many customers over this, and if you are experiencing problems with connection speed, that's likely to continue. They have already unblocked most of the file sharing sites anyway.

Captain Furball · 15-10-2009 4:23pm

jor el wrote: »

They have not provided such an option. They deny the contract was changed, or that it has been broken. They have given 1 person a "good will" escape from contract, which is not the same thing.

But the very notion of them breaking the very terms and conditions they set out for their customers breaks that contract does it not?You said they don't concede to the fact, but by the very nature of them giving a customer a good will gesture should be enough to cement your already correct assumption -which is they broke the contract.

RangeR · 15-10-2009 4:35pm

Captain Furball wrote: »

But the very notion of them breaking the very terms and conditions they set out for their customers breaks that contract does it not?You said they don't concede to the fact, but by the very nature of them giving a customer a good will gesture should be enough to cement your already correct assumption -which is they broke the contract.

However, the only way to test that is to bring them to court. O2 will do whatever they can not let that happen [let you out of contract without admiting wrongdoing].

Our man in Havana · 15-10-2009 4:40pm

They will never allow their contracts to be tested that is for sure. As said they would rather release someone from a contract than allow a judge to give a ruling. A ruling would open the flood gates, something o2 would be keen to avoid.

Captain Furball · 15-10-2009 5:02pm

People who break their contract with 02 should have nothing to worry about so.As you rightly pointed out, that still lets them off the hook until someone challenges them in court that is.

MackDeToaster · 15-10-2009 5:09pm

They gave me the 'good will'. However it amounts to virtually nothing as I only had a month to run anyway. I have complained to Comreg who said they are escalating, but while they have said they are investigating, they cannot confirm what actions are to be taken.

So I suspect Comreg will intervene only on a case-by-case basis, and since I have been released from my contract they will be content to leave it at that and do nothing further, while what really needs to happen is that O2 is taken to book properly on behalf of all customers.

Is there any way to raise a class-action in this country ? btw I've also mailed Viviene Reading's office on the issue but have received no response to date.

Peter · 15-10-2009 11:30pm

Using a list I found on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photo_sharing_websites I went thru the list and found that they are also blocking http://imgsrc.ru

Owen · 19-10-2009 9:06am

Just having a thought over coffee this morning - surely iPhone customers could also claim breach of contract?

Our man in Havana · 19-10-2009 12:00pm

Yes indeed they could.

Now that would cause them some problems.

Honda08 · 19-10-2009 4:59pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

Yes indeed they could. Now that would cause them some problems.

has anyone else cancelled without penalty say in the middle of a contract?

it would be interesting to know how many people have cancelled.. .... i dont think there has been any yet?

Purple Gorilla · 19-10-2009 5:41pm

Got a reply from the European Commission. They said that O2 is violating some Universal Directive (Don't have it at hand..I'll get the exact name later) which was transposed into Irish Law so what they are doing is illegal. The EC can't do anything directly, but they told me to contact the European Commission for Communication Regulation (Comreg :P) as they'll be obliged to act on it.

Honda08 · 19-10-2009 6:39pm

Purple Gorilla wrote: »

Got a reply from the European Commission. They said that O2 is violating some Universal Directive (Don't have it at hand..I'll get the exact name later) which was transposed into Irish Law so what they are doing is illegal. The EC can't do anything directly, but they told me to contact the European Commission for Communication Regulation (Comreg :P) as they'll be obliged to act on it.

i just thought of this

is a customer of o2 entitled to ask for a copy of the exact blocking list that is being used? under the Data Protection Act / etc

jor el · 19-10-2009 9:33pm

Purple Gorilla wrote: »

Got a reply from the European Commission. They said that O2 is violating some Universal Directive (Don't have it at hand..I'll get the exact name later) which was transposed into Irish Law so what they are doing is illegal. The EC can't do anything directly, but they told me to contact the European Commission for Communication Regulation (Comreg :P) as they'll be obliged to act on it.

That is very interesting, and a great result.

Some people on the O2 forum have put forward arguments that the T&Cs are not being broken, as the bit that says O2 doesn't control content isn't actually been broken. I'd maintain that they have at least added a new term, if they haven't changed one, which is also a breach of contract.

My account is still active, and they've billed me for next month, but they can go and swing for it.

Our man in Havana · 19-10-2009 10:14pm

They will bill you twice more before killing your account and turning it over to Intrum Justitia. That will be the last you will ever hear of it.

Honda08 · 20-10-2009 12:06pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

They will bill you twice more before killing your account and turning it over to Intrum Justitia. That will be the last you will ever hear of it.

then its better to this rather than taking legal action?

much cheaper lol

Our man in Havana · 20-10-2009 12:14pm

But you will never get a contract from o2 again.

Honda08 · 20-10-2009 12:27pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

But you will never get a contract from o2 again.

we have seen the way they operate.. tbh no great loss .. if thats the way they do business..

Honda08 · 28-10-2009 6:58pm

Purple Gorilla wrote: »

Got a reply from the European Commission. They said that O2 is violating some Universal Directive (Don't have it at hand..I'll get the exact name later) which was transposed into Irish Law so what they are doing is illegal. The EC can't do anything directly, but they told me to contact the European Commission for Communication Regulation (Comreg :P) as they'll be obliged to act on it.

hi purple
any update on this, what part is illegal

missyfirefly · 31-10-2009 3:43am

Really interesting reading on this thread. Has me intrigued to find out what happened at the end of it all.

It appears that those of you who went to Comreg didn't get anywhere... Is it a case that O2 were not in breach of contract as they were stating all along?

Please let us know how you got on.

Our man in Havana · 31-10-2009 1:41pm

It appears that those of you who went to Comreg didn't get anywhere.

You are making awful assumptions there.

Comreg are not exactly the fastest to reply or to conduct investigations. And you expect an answer in 2 weeks?

Is it a case that O2 were not in breach of contract as they were stating all along?

They are clearly in breach but they won't want a court deciding that.

missyfirefly · 31-10-2009 6:28pm

007, i'm not making assumptions just an observation and posing a question.

And yes i would expect at least an update from Comreg within at least a month

. From the history of this Thread that's when the complaints were submitted...

Our man in Havana · 31-10-2009 6:35pm

Comreg reply within a month? Ha! Ha!

6 months to a year to year would be more their style.

Are you affiliated with o2 in any way?

Honda08 · 01-11-2009 5:58pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

Comreg reply within a month? Ha! Ha!

6 months to a year to year would be more their style.

Are you affiliated with o2 in any way?

yes this post has gone very quiet indeed.. i wonder how many left o2 and cancelled for breach of contract.

o2 have lost 99% of my business so far.... and i generally recommend against them now ...

over on the o2 forums they openly state that blocking is still in place.

MackDeToaster · 02-11-2009 10:57am

It is indeed very sad to see that nobody else appears to have left them or forced their hand, so by simply brazening it out O2 would seem to have have gotten away with it

My complaints to Comreg were met with the reply that they were escalating the matter on my behalf but, as I said previously, I believe that they might only take individual cases and not take issue with O2 as a whole as they should be - the usual symptomatic and sickening attitude and apathy of this country.

Our man in Havana · 02-11-2009 12:27pm

As I said before I would leave them like a shot, but I has no alternative for internet access.
If I could I would.

jor el · 03-11-2009 1:28am

MackDeToaster wrote: »

My complaints to Comreg were met with the reply that they were escalating the matter on my behalf but, as I said previously, I believe that they might only take individual cases and not take issue with O2 as a whole as they should be - the usual symptomatic and sickening attitude and apathy of this country.

Same here. I don't expect I'll ever get a response.

Honda08 · 04-11-2009 12:38am

Bond-007 wrote: »

As I said before I would leave them like a shot, but I has no alternative for internet access.
If I could I would.

are you still in contract? if say you were 6mths into an 18mth contract
how would you leave? would you use the blocking issue?

Honda08 · 04-11-2009 12:40am

MackDeToaster wrote: »

It is indeed very sad to see that nobody else appears to have left them or forced their hand, so by simply brazening it out O2 would seem to have have gotten away with it

My complaints to Comreg were met with the reply that they were escalating the matter on my behalf but, as I said previously, I believe that they might only take individual cases and not take issue with O2 as a whole as they should be - the usual symptomatic and sickening attitude and apathy of this country.

well for a start they have lost all my business
ported out.. they lost out bigtime

pay on the last day the bill is due, dont pay by direct debit, and make sure you use your full 10gb! feck them

Ronan Raver77 · 04-11-2009 2:25am

I rang COMREG and o2 over a month ago and havent heard back yet.....O2 originally denied they were blocking sites but agreed they were.Surprising how little publicity this got..

missyfirefly · 07-11-2009 12:58am

Bond-007 wrote: »

Are you affiliated with o2 in any way?

Other than availing of a number of their products i have no vested interests in O2. like you i'm in an area which restricts me to using their products only, i'm fortunate however that i'm am getting a pretty decent service from their mobile broadband service and as it is the only service available in my area i have three student broadband accounts with them (to cater for download needs).

But i think that's a bit off the point.

like i said in earlier posts i'm just intrigued at how all this has happened and i'm interested to see how this will all turn out.

Has anyone thought of going to anyone else other than those mentioned earlier. Has anyone considered going to the likes of Conor Pope? He can be pretty outspoken when Mobile operators aren't playing fair....

Make enough noise and someone is bound to pay attention.

Our man in Havana · 07-11-2009 1:08am

It don't really bother me as I has changed my settings to circumvent their censorship.

sonic.trip · 16-11-2009 2:37am

very interesting read,, are o2 still blocking these sites on their mobile broadband? and have they changed their T&C?

any respones from comreg etc....?

jor el · 16-11-2009 12:27pm

They are still blocking, and will continue to do so. They haven't changed their T&Cs, and Comreg don't seem to be doing anything about it.

sonic.trip · 16-11-2009 1:38pm

jor el wrote: »

They are still blocking, and will continue to do so. They haven't changed their T&Cs, and Comreg don't seem to be doing anything about it.

Thanks for that jor el, I read the o2 thread and pete was giving them a right old time and rightly so, but no definitive answer except they put back a couple of file sharing sites.

If I got myself into that contract and they were blocking sites and breaking the t+c I would kick up as much fuss as possible. phone everyday, letters and emails, threaten with a solicitor.

Kintarō Hattori · 16-11-2009 2:05pm

Hmnn I had been meaning to cancel my connection with them. I must MUST do this tomorrow and not let it drag on any longer.

CantGetNoSleep · 22-11-2009 4:51pm

I'm going to cancel mine in the morning, what should I do?

Email them and contact bank to cancel direct debit? Any idea what I should say in the email?

Our man in Havana · 22-11-2009 4:58pm

Reading the thread from the start will provide the answers you need.

jor el · 23-11-2009 2:22am

Just be aware that they will not give up. They've continued to bill me, although I have now gotten a "final" bill, which has me owing them for a month and a half, and I got a nice letter telling me that I've somehow missed my direct debit payment. Geez, I wonder how that might have happened. After many emails, none of which they even answered, I now get this bill. They can go fuk off so they can.

Any idea what I should say in the email?

How about;

Dear Lying Bastards,

Shove it your hole.

Regards,

Former customer.

Should do it.

Our man in Havana · 23-11-2009 2:27am

Next they will pass it to a debt collector. However they will not dare go to court.

There is no way they will allow any cancellations on the basis of breach of contract/changed conditions.

jor el · 23-11-2009 12:30pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

There is no way they will allow any cancellations on the basis of breach of contract/changed conditions.

That's for sure, and I don't know what else we can do about it. I suspect there's nothing we can do. Comreg's investigation went as far as them asking O2 to investigate my complaint :rolleyes: What's the point in getting the company that's being complained about, to investigate the complaint? Useless, useless, idiots. The result being that I get the exact same spiel about kiddy porn and how it's not a new condition in a written letter, as opposed to the 5 emails I already got, which say the exact same thing.

Bring on the debt collectors. It won't be the first time, and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.

Honda08 · 23-11-2009 12:35pm

jor el wrote: »

That's for sure, and I don't know what else we can do about it. I suspect there's nothing we can do. Comreg's investigation went as far as them asking O2 to investigate my complaint :rolleyes: What's the point in getting the company that's being complained about, to investigate the complaint? Useless, useless, idiots. The result being that I get the exact same spiel about kiddy porn and how it's not a new condition in a written letter, as opposed to the 5 emails I already got, which say the exact same thing.

Bring on the debt collectors. It won't be the first time, and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.

sure they have no powers , if they write to you, write back and tell them to **** off and never come near your property and or call you again.

job done.

Honda08 · 23-11-2009 12:36pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I'm going to cancel mine in the morning, what should I do?

Email them and contact bank to cancel direct debit? Any idea what I should say in the email?

how far into your contract are you?

Honda08 · 23-11-2009 12:58pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

Next they will pass it to a debt collector. However they will not dare go to court.

.

not even for 200 euro? ie if you had 10mths left in contract or so?

Our man in Havana · 23-11-2009 1:06pm

Honda08 wrote: »

not even for 200 euro? ie if you had 10mths left in contract or so?

Not a chance. The lowest they would go for would be around €750 or so. But as this is a contentious issue I seriously doubt they would chance it.

The only way this can be resolved is if they take you to court. They won't want a ruling against their Terms and Conditions. An adverse ruling would open the floodgates for people to cancel without paying them, so it would be advantageous for them to allow a few trouble makers to escape without paying rather than loose a shed load of money if the general populous knew of the situation.

CantGetNoSleep · 23-11-2009 11:00pm

Honda08 wrote: »

how far into your contract are you?

Paid for 2 months so far, started it in September?

CantGetNoSleep · 23-11-2009 11:01pm

Off topic, but how cushy would it be to have a job with those overpaid boneheads in Comreg? Can you imagine how little work they do all day

O2 now blocking sites

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