O2 Ireland iPhone tethering

philiporeilly

Apple announced last night that they will allow individual operators to decide if they wish to enable the new data tethering feature in 3.0

Do you think O2 Ireland will allow this feature?

In my opinion I believe that if you pay for 1Gb of data in your plan per month you should be allowed to use that in any legal means you see fit. It will be interesting to see how quickly and fairly O2 IRL react to this!

Tom Dunne

There was a thread around here somewhere already on this, but Daryll from O2 said that while he didn't have any official word, his personal view was that O2 allow it with other devices, so he didn't see why they wouldn't allow it with the iPhone.

Victor_M

Here are the tethering price plans from 02 UK so you can expect we'll be more expensive again, not really practical for anyone with more than one wireless device at home as you can't use a wireless router with it.

Really only for the business user.


iPhone 3G S – full O2 tariff details revealed
YESTERDAY
iPhone 3G S
iPhone 3G S – O2 pricing revealed

Its UK pricing and pre-order details have already been announced, but what's the real cost of getting your mitts on a new iPhone 3G S on O2 on 19 June?

Well, if you're a new customer, then O2 will be offering their existing tariffs, with the 3G S 16GB costing up to £184.98, 32GB up to £274.23 depending on which option you plump for. There are free options of course, but that will mean signing yourself up for a 24-month contract. Ouch.

The bad news is that the tethering service means buying a bolt-on that will set you back £14.68 per month for 3GB and a whopping £29.36 per month for 10GB of data. Ouch again.

Existing O2 customers will be able to upgrade early, but there will be a charge attached to that. O2's Twitter feed (@O2) has stated that "The early upgrade cost is likely to be monthly cost x months left on your contract, but specifics may vary slightly".

Fans of picture messaging should also note that 1x MMS will cost the same as sending 4x text messages, so bear this in mind when you're sending those amusing pub snaps.

See the tariffs in full at the official O2 site.

O2_Daryll

Hey guys sorry I was not on earlier. Our own forums are a bit mental right now.

To answer the question on tethering. We still have not official word on it yet so I am still not too sure about it. The reason we don't have the details around the same time as the UK is because they are launching before us.

Skyuser

O2 Irl won't bother their arse with tethering because they didn't bother with visual voicemail. They are just plain lazy and typical Irish throwing out a substandard product while charging more.

I'd like a no confidence vote for O2 with a view to Vodafone taking over the iPhone contract. Show O2 how a real network works.

philiporeilly

Skyuser wrote: »

O2 Irl won't bother their arse with tethering because they didn't bother with visual voicemail. They are just plain lazy and typical Irish throwing out a substandard product while charging more.

I'm no fan of O2 IRL but to be fair visual voicemail and tethering are completely different.

Visual Voicemail requires a substantial investment by O2 IRL into new hardware for their network to run. They would have to completely change their existing voicemail systems and given the small customer base, they do not see it as a priority. This sucks but it is understandable.

Tethering on the other hand does not require any additional hardware and O2 simply just have to update their operator settings. I believe that O2 should enable tethering free under the existing allowances and charge more if you need more.

Bluefoam

Its a shame O2 have the rights to the iPhone. Its the sole reason I won't get one... Looks like they will have exclusivity on the Palm Pre too...

Tom Dunne

Bluefoam wrote: »

Its a shame O2 have the rights to the iPhone. Its the sole reason I won't get one...

But sure if they didn't, somebody else would. Best of a bad bunch as far as I am concerned.

FatherTedRocks

Last week I almost signed up for an upgrade contract with O2 for an iPhone. When asked, assistant in O2 Dundrum said he didn't know of any imminent upgrades to the iPhone. I'm sure this was out of ignorance, not malice...but if had signed up last week, I'd be pretty ticked off now. Main thing that stopped me was the tethering issue, which I really enjoy/make use of with my current Nokia E51.

O2 have an exclusive deal with the current (and still as it's evolving) 'must have' device in this space. It's entirely logical that they charge a premium for this - Corporations charging (higher) prices, are operating on the same principal as dogs are, ref: "Why do dogs lick their goolies?" (Sorry...this is my first post - unsure if 'goolies' qualifies as an offensive word). "Because they can."

Anyway...having in the past used and marketed for all Irish mobile operators save Tesco, I think O2 currently provide the most reliable, full featured, and user focused service of the lot. I've found their customer care consistently good too. I hope the assertions of earlier postings that the 3GS tethering capability will be allowed by O2 Ireland are correct. To not do so (unless for some reason they'd need to install new network kit) would be inconsistent with the rest of O2 services and I can't see how it would gain them additional business/money.

Bluefoam

FatherTedRocks wrote: »

I hope the assertions of earlier postings that the 3GS tethering capability will be allowed by O2 Ireland are correct. To not do so (unless for some reason they'd need to install new network kit) would be inconsistent with the rest of O2 services and I can't see how it would gain them additional business/money.

Well, they still haven't implemented visual voicemail. They are charging a premium, but not offering a premium service....

I was with O2 in the past & my bills were extortionate, Vodafone were worse, but I refuse to pay a premium unless I am being given a truly premium service...

flurby

In fairness to 02 (and I've tried everyone else (bar Tesco) in the marketplace) they DO provide premium when it comes to customer service. Several outstanding experiences come to mind, alongside multiple dismal encounters with meteor, 3, vodafone.

On the other hand, if they're going to pin a levy on my existing tariff so I can pull down the same kind of data over the same kind of network to a different device they can p**s off. I'll continue stealing wifi.

:-)

mad4fish

Have a look at:
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/06/aussie-iphone-tethering-guide-–%C2%A0all-carriers/

mike_uchoose

Just a personal thought on "tethering".
How about this scenario: our 1GB included data in monthly subscription is virtually and no one uses more than 100mbs/month.
Now give - tethering - free to use the 1GB, imagine that from 0% using 1GB it will go to 90%.. how will O2 will handle this huge bandwidth raise.
so why not ask for extra and give 5Gb for customers that want to pay extra and keep the normal 1gb data included which you will use maybe 100mbs not 1gb.


cheers,
Mike

mobius42

mike_uchoose wrote: »

Now give - tethering - free to use the 1GB, imagine that from 0% using 1GB it will go to 90%.. how will O2 will handle this huge bandwidth raise.

If they can't handle people using 90% of their allowance, then they shouldn't offer a 1GB limit. Also, most people would only use tethering sparingly.

mike_uchoose

mobius42 wrote: »

Also, most people would only use tethering sparingly.

you can't compare usage on phone vs computer, using it 10-20h a month will do to go near the limit.
I just think the 1GB sounds nice/round, but they can't afford to let all customers use it..when the normal is 100mb's (had a look in last 2months I have 140mb's usage -> using it all day)

What I'm thinking in my initial post it's the only strong issue I see why would they care how we use the 1gb allowance.
do you see any other reason?

Mike

mobius42

mike_uchoose wrote: »

you can't compare usage on phone vs computer, using it 10-20h a month will do to go near the limit.
I just think the 1GB sounds nice/round, but they can't afford to let all customers use it..when the normal is 100mb's (had a look in last 2months I have 140mb's usage -> using it all day)

What I'm thinking in my initial post it's the only strong issue I see why would they care how we use the 1gb allowance.
do you see any other reason?

Mike

I wasn't comparing usage on phone vs computer. Obviously, phone usage will be considerable less than PC usage! I just think that most people would not use tethering as the main connection for their laptop, they would mainly use it when they are out somewhere where there is no wifi.

Shades799

So I presume you were all able to tether your 3.0 phones, but now it's blocked on 3.1. I still haven't updated to 3.1 because of this. Does anyone know of any fixes that are coming through to allow tethering on the 3.1?

Does anyone know why Apple\O2 blocked this after previously allowing it on 3.0??

mobius42

Shades799 wrote: »

So I presume you were all able to tether your 3.0 phones, but now it's blocked on 3.1. I still haven't updated to 3.1 because of this. Does anyone know of any fixes that are coming through to allow tethering on the 3.1?

Does anyone know why Apple\O2 blocked this after previously allowing it on 3.0??

O2 have never allowed tethering on the iPhone. Someone found a way to enable it on 3.0 by messing around with the carrier settings file. So far, O2 have said they're looking at providing tethering maybe sometime next year. They claim that there are network issues involved in enabling it; most people suspect that they're actually looking at how they can charge for it.

Shades799

mobius42 wrote: »

O2 have never allowed tethering on the iPhone. Someone found a way to enable it on 3.0 by messing around with the carrier settings file. So far, O2 have said they're looking at providing tethering maybe sometime next year. They claim that there are network issues involved in enabling it; most people suspect that they're actually looking at how they can charge for it.

Everyday I grow to hate the world a little more...

vinnycoyne

The network issues are complete BS.

O2 had said that Apple requires them to have Voice, Data, & Messaging all working simultaneously and that this isn't currently possible without network upgrades.

Myself and a few others have tested all three and found them to be working 100%. They've been called out on this, but still refuse to give a direct response on the matter (see: http://forums.o2online.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=4205&page=10)

Hence the claims that they're cooking up a way to charge us again for using our 1GB data allowance.

Red Alert

And the network routing involved is nothing that commercial off-the-shelf equipment can't do.

miralize

Been on 3.1 for a few weeks now, any way to revert back to 3.0?

philiporeilly

miralize wrote: »

Been on 3.1 for a few weeks now, any way to revert back to 3.0?

Yes it possible but not a simple procedure. There are a few guides online if you google them or look at youtube

philiporeilly

Paddy wrote:

As we've said before, Apple have specific requirements that need to be met before we can launch the service. We will continue to work on delivering this to you.

(post from O2 forums)

O2 have now changed their explanation to say the lack of tethering is due to Apple specific requirements.

O2 have also refused to give any details on these requirements to requests from several dubious customers who are qualified in Electronic Engineering.

They should be honest and stop feeding their customers BULL!

meathenterpr

If you want to have tethering on 3.1.2 do the following
You must have a jb fone to do this.
download a demo on MiWi and generate a 10 day licence.
Set up the app.
After that if you go to General -> Network -> You will see internet Tethering turned on.
You can no uninstall MyWi as you no longer need it

by the way the quickest way to install the deb or any other deb for that matter is after you j/b the fone go to /var/root/Media/ create the following folders if they do not exist, Cydia open the Cydia folder and create AutoInstall use ifunbox for this.
You can drop any deb file into the AutoInstall folder.
Then Reboot and Respring in that order.

acidburn51737

Hmm... Doesnt seem to work for me...

20goto10

Hi guys,

I've been reading through the form on O2 website but my head started to hurt after the 8th page. Can anyone clarify are O2 charging for thethering?

I have thethering enabled on my jailbroken iphone, is it safe to use so long as I keep within the data limit? I have used it a couple of times and was not charged but maybe its something they can do retrospectively?

And how do they know you're thethering anyway?

Red Alert

I'd imagine if you stay within your data allowance you'll be fine. I used tethering quite a bit after 3.0 and was never pulled up on it.

I'm so fed up of all this that if Vodafone have tethering enabled then I'm packing my bags.

iKeith

me too lol

rebel.ranter

I think O2 will introduce iPhone tethering quite soon, it makes no difference to what data is transferred really. It is probably just another piece of work that they have to do & were putting off in lieu of other more important things.

BoardsMember

From what I hear, VF will have tethering enabled when they start selling officially so I would be surprised if O2 dont follow suit, which will put to bed their excuses for not currently allowing it, all of which are nonsense.

Owen

Tethering will eventually be released by o2, they'll have to do it, but I'd love to see some long awaited visual voicemail too. After a few years of exclusivity with the iPhone, they should really have this one in the bag by now.

Kingkong

Got this from an O2 source, Tethering appears to be an add on now.

Red Alert

Any idea if the add-on will be available to the lowest priced iPhone plan (even for a fee)? When is this due to go live?

showtime

I dont think they will offer it at all


got this info from the data fair use page

O2 Advance Fair Use Policy

"Data Fair Use: O2 has developed the fair use policy to ensure that all customers have a good mobile internet experience. It is important that customer use of unlimited data for mobile internet browsing is fair and reasonable and O2 reserves the rights set out below where your usage exceeds 3GB in a monthly billing cycle. O2 has developed this threshold by reference to average high data usage for browsing on the mobile handset. In addition all usage must be for private, personal and non-commercial purposes. You may only use the feature for Internet Browsing on your Smartphone device. The service is restricted for use on the ‘Internet’ APN and you will be charged if you use a different APN. You may not use the unlimited data for mobile internet browsing if you are using your device as a modem or with your SIM card in or connected to any other device including modems. You may not use your unlimited data feature to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, to enable Peer to Peer or file sharing, or in any way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers.
If O2 reasonably suspects you are not acting in accordance with the fair usage requirements, and having attempted to contact you first, O2 reserves the right to switch you to an alternate inclusive data option with standard browsing charges, to impose network protection controls which may reduce your speed of transmission, to remove the Unlimited Data feature from your account or to terminate your price plan or your account. O2 reserves the right to withdraw or amend this offer at any time on reasonable notice."


from: http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/About+O2/Terms+and+Conditions/O2+Advance/Tariff+terms

philiporeilly

They will have tethering and soon I'm guessing. Getting people to sign that new contract was part of their plan. Now they can charge people for it as an addon as you have agreed not to use it within existing allowance.

Dannyboi3k

philiporeilly wrote: »

They will have tethering and soon I'm guessing. Getting people to sign that new contract was part of their plan. Now they can charge people for it as an addon as you have agreed not to use it within existing allowance.

Just download PDAnet tether away

JB iPhones only

philiporeilly

Dannyboi3k wrote: »

Just download PDAnet tether away

JB iPhones only

PDA Net was great but found battery life suffered while jailbroken.

Under the new contracts though, if O2 notice you are tethering unofficially they could charge you.

Dannyboi3k

now that u mention it my bill was an extra 20euro compared to normal monthly bills first time tethering too

center15

I don't think O2 can actually detect or prove you were tethering.

philiporeilly

center15 wrote: »

I don't think O2 can actually detect or prove you were tethering.

It is possible but highly unlikely that they would monitor each users traffic. Throws up too many privacy and legal issues.

Also if they can't manage to quickly release technical features such as tethering, visual voicemail, call catcher etc... I very much doubt they have the staff or resources to do this.

philiporeilly

Anyway there is an update in the other thread that O2 will allow people on old contracts with 1Gb to tether for free within that but the will charge a minimum €12.50 EXTRA PER MONTH for customers they convinced to switch recently.

copacetic

reminder of the price plans posted earlier. tethering will be a free add on for people paying 60 or more

culabula

Madness.

Gambler

Apparently tethering is coming tonight... I don't have an update option for it yet though..

Once the latest version of the software (OS 3.1.3 Carrier Bundle 5.1) is released on iTunes, you will be able to download it and avail of tethering. This update will be released some time between 5pm on the 10th February and 3am on the 11th February. It will provide you with all the necessary settings on the device.
2) You must be using an iPhone 3G or 3GS on a post pay O2 Account.

http://forums.o2online.ie/forums/showthread.php?8439-Tethering-with-your-iPhone&p=97135&viewfull=1#post97135

Fingleberries

Sheer Lunacy these prices ... It's ridiculous what they'll try and get away with charging. You should already have unlimited data, but please pay extra or choose 3GB for tethering (double-paying for the same bandwidth)...
No thank you, Mr. O2.

philiporeilly

Fingleberries wrote: »

Sheer Lunacy these prices ... It's ridiculous what they'll try and get away with charging. You should already have unlimited data, but please pay extra or choose 3GB for tethering (double-paying for the same bandwidth)...
No thank you, Mr. O2.

Thats only on the new plans. With the old plans you can tether using your existing 1Gb allowance for free.

RnR

Can you please talk me through the process?
How do I tether ?
I'm on an old plan. Not jailbroken.

philiporeilly

RnR wrote: »

Can you please talk me through the process?
How do I tether ?
I'm on an old plan. Not jailbroken.

1. connect iPhone to computer and check for software update using iTunes
2. install new carrier file when prompted (restart iPhone if necessary)
3. iPhone SETTINGS > GENERAL > NETWORK > INTERNET TETHERING (switch on)
4. Connect tethered laptop via Bluetooth / USB

RnR

Lovely, thanks.
So if I tether occasionally, I'm not gonna have to sell the car to pay 02?!

philiporeilly

Tether away on old plans up to 1Gb free, then start selling your car for anything over that!