iPhone Internet Charges

AnneElizabeth

I'm planning on buying an iPhone. I'm on Prepay on Meteor but am willing to go to another network.

Wondering if anyone can answer these questions for me (I've been looking at O2's plan). O2 allows 500mb of Internet usage per month on Bill Pay and charges if you go over this:
1. Does this include Wifi Internet usage or is it just for 3G internet?
2. Does this apply to Prepay? Do you still only have 500mb and then it takes money from your credit balance for any additional internet?
3. If I unlock the iPhone and switch to say, Meteor, will I still have to pay for internet? Is there a limit to how much Internet I can get per month and after that it will take money from my credit balance?
4. If I switch to meteor will I have to sign up for EDGE/3G or will I get it automatically?
5. Is there any way to avoid paying any charges at all for internet (including 3G/EDGE)? if not, do you know what the best deal would be?
6. I will probably wait until the iPhone 4G/5 comes out, do you think these will still apply?

(Sorry I'm sure the answers are here somewhere, I just can't find them!)
I already asked in O2 and Carphone Warehouse but they were very vague.
Thanks in advance.

guil

1. no only data used on the phone will be charged
2. o2 dont have any prepay deals for data, they charge 99c upto 50mb daily but charge heavily after 50mb
3.yes ya can unlock it in certain circumstances, whichever provider ya go for it will prob end up better value on billpay for data
4.afaik only o2 have an EDGE network but ya will get 3G with all providers as long as ya have sufficient signal
5.not really, the cost of the data is factored into the bill pay plans and they would generally be better value than the prepay alternatives
6.maybe they will, maybe they wont

AnneElizabeth

Thanks for the reply, Guil! Could you just clarify what you meant by Number 1? So is it for both forms of internet?
Also, for #3, so even if the phone is unlocked I have to pay for internet?

guil

using wifi isnt counted towards the allowance and yes whichever provider ya go with, ya will have to pay for data

guil

just so you're sure aswell, turning off 3G doest stop the iphone using the mobile data allowance, it just turns off the 3G receiver

AnneElizabeth

Oh so I will have unlimited WiFi and 500mb of 3G per month? That's not too bad.

guil wrote: »

just so you're sure aswell, turning off 3G doest stop the iphone using the mobile data allowance, it just turns off the 3G receiver

So even if I have 3G turned off, will it turn it back on and then take money from me? Or will it use Edge or some other form?

I'll research this myself, but just if you already know: Do all Prepays involve paying a set fee per day for internet or are there any other plans?

guil

yes turning off 3G doesnt disable data altogether and iphones always use a small amount of data, ya would have to go into the settings and turn off cellular data, otherwise it will use EDGE or GPRS

i'm not sure but i think 3 have a prepay data addon, something like 500mb for €5
not sure of the rest

AnneElizabeth

guil wrote: »

yes turning off 3G doesnt disable data altogether and iphones always use a small amount of data, ya would have to go into the settings and turn off cellular data, otherwise it will use EDGE or GPRS

i'm not sure but i think 3 have a prepay data addon, something like 500mb for €5
not sure of the rest

So if I turn off Cellular Data can I still use WiFi and only turn it on when I'm away from WiFi? Will that eat into my 500mb per month?

Couldn't find that 3 data add-on.

guil

yeah ya can use wifi even if cellular data is off, i'm not sure if the 3 addon is billpay only but one of the mods mentioned it here before

BBMcQ

Just to clear up something on the whole wifi issue.

Wifi is data transmitted over a broadband wireless signal, it's completely independent from your network. When a network says "free wifi" it means they give you access to mobile hotspots such as bitbuzz in coffee shops/pubs. You open up your web browser and it asks for your phone number, letting you use their wireless network.

When a network talks about data. They are talking about the "cellular" data. That is, data which they provide via their phone network. If you turn off cellular data, you can still use wifi. Your iPhone will essentially be a iPod touch that can make and take calls/texts.

If you have cellular data turned on, your iPhone will prefer wifi over 3G/Edge/GPRS whenever wifi is available. You'd have to be doing some serious downloading (watching youtube videos, downloading music etc) on the iPhone to go over 500mb. General web-browsing for 30mins or so on your commute every day is fine.

When a network says you get 500mb, they are talking about bill pay. Only 3 (AFAIK) let you purchase a add on on prepay for 500mb data. You would have to purchase additional credit for texts and calls.