Hi there,

I received a text from O2 today saying that I had reached my data allowance and I should either buy a bolt on or cut down my usage.

On speaking to customer services they advised me it was last month (I used 1,044mb).

Has anybody else had this or even more than once?

I did not even really use that much last month (only maybe 5 hours streaming TV so not like I was doing all the time and abusing it).

They never got the chance and never will.

I switched to giffgaff.

5 hours of steaming TV is a lot of data in mobile terms. You don't say what streaming service you use but you could easily use up 200mb for 60 minutes of viewing.

That is abuse as the terms of your contract expressly forbid the use of streaming video.

A week after my billing date and I'm on 2.4GB already, and no warning...

I got one of these yesterday (vodafone), never had one before as my contract was 'unlimited' (with fair usage policy of1GB). According to the message from 1st October i will be charged if i go over 500MB....looking at previous bills i normally use 700-800.....

Guess ill be changing contracts and providers when my contract ends!

It's in the terms:

That term applies to all of O2's data packages until the 1st of October.

From that point, any customer that joined or upgraded after June 24th (any customer with one of the new tariffs with a fixed data limit - 500MB, 750MB or 1GB) will NOT be subject to that restriction.

It's either unlimited with restrictions on what you can do or limited with few restrictions on how you can use that limit.

If you keep an unlimited plan (because you signed up before June 24th) you'll still be subject to the above rules concerning streaming.

I did not realise it was? Did not notice it in the T's and C's when I signed up a year ago.

Might have to look into my contract properly.

I've heard some people watching 2 hours a day (to/from work) + also streaming radio as well during the day with no probs.

I admit they should have fair usage, but maybe up it to 4/5gb.

Cheers.

Madness if they enforce the streaming rule as a lot of people want to watch Youtube, internet radio on their mobiles.

I had exactly the same text and exactly the same conversation with O2 Customer Services.

Must be a glitch in their system!! I was just told to ignore it

Its a good idea to check what you are signing up to, before you sign.

Yep - should have done really, but you expect to be able to stream media on a mobile designed for it + I guess other networks have anything better in their T's and C's + only Vodafone & O2 have decent reception where I go.

Assumption - the mother of all f***-ups!

Does seem a little daft as not long ago O2 were pushing sky mobile TV on the iPhone

When O2 had network troubles last year they decided they would tackle it with a 3 pronged approach.

More cells

Software modification on the network i.e more caching and scaling down images

and finally working with handset manufacturers and service providers to restrict high bandwith services.

For example if you go to the BBC iplayer on your web browser and try and play anything you will get a nice message from the BBC saying that they only allow you to stream the iplayer to customers on the 3 network and Vodafone customers (although it's Vodafone contract customers only).

So much for net neutrality and the ISP just being the service provider.

Still, it saves them investing heavily in the network. They recently ditched the unlimited data tariffs and now they have slashed the limited ones claiming it was a promotional period, although there was no mention of it being promotional at the time.

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/09/1...tional_period/

Video is high bandwidth though and O2 have decided to ban continuous streaming, so if you are on O2 you have to chance it or not do it. Other network providers give you your 1GB or whatever and let you choose what you use it on.

all the networks are getting rubbish now for data usage most phones now are are made for the Internet streaming tv surfing using sat nav.and much more. there is only 2 networks good for this that's giffgaff and 3.

Knowledge gained by a quick google search or skimming forums is a dangerous thing.
As an example, you talk about the terms and conditions when O2 offered unlimited internet as if they are the same now that they offer fixed allowances. You also neglect the £1m a day investment in the network.

2.4Gb in a WEEK over 3G?? How is that even possible. seriously?!

Streaming internet radio and Sky TV - watched quite a few footie games this week.

And there'll be more this week

You've changed your tune, it was £1m 'at it's peak' the other day. I can assure you that my knowledge is not gained from google searches or skimming forums as you put it. It's gained from working in IT for an ISP, understanding the technologies, try and testing networks in different locations, real practical experience, research and reading the tech press.

O2 covers 84% of the population for 3G coverage, that's the lowest of all 5 networks. That speaks for itself.

I have also 3 times directed you to the speedtest data on speedtest.net which shows you the average speeds on speedtests conducted in the UK, they are the largest speed test site (most used) in the UK and it shows the average data speeds are 1/2 what other networks offer.

So on both speed and coverage they are seriously lagging behind.

==Just for Prking==
As requested I'll add the caveat that according to you O2 which has spent £1m per day at it's peak on network improvement, they operate a 2G and 3G network. (3 and T-mobile by the way spent £400m on just 3G upgrades in the last 12-18 months and already had 10% more 3G coverage than o2 before the £400m).

You can invest all you want, but it's the outcome that matters.

Since you seem to have such a deep affinity to o2, can you explain why their mapping site shows maps from almost a year ago?

Does it mean they haven't bothered to invest in their coverage? Or have they forgotten to update their maps over the past year?

I signed up for an iPhone on a 24 month contract in May 2010, I was told by the man in the O2 shop that I would get unlimited data for the life of the contract. I was also told that I could use BT openzone hotspots for free as well.

1: I have only ever found one yes one hotspot that I could connect to! which was at the O2 arena suprise suprise. All other BT openzone spots deny me access, when I questioned O2 about it they said "oh we didn't mean all hotspots only selected ones! Although I still haven't a clue how I'm supposed to find these selected hotspots!

2: 3G coverage is useless! nine times out of ten when I really need it it drops out! Again there is only one place I can get constant 3G in a park which I have to drive to.

3: I have now recieved a text message 4 months into my 24 month contract telling me that my "unlimited data for the life of the contract" well thats what the salesman said is now being limited to 500mb per month.

O2 are liars and crooks avoid at all cost!

The only time I can really say my iPhone performs well is when it is connected to my Sky broadband wireless signal at home, which defeats the object of having an iPhone really dosen't it?

I thought the new capped contracts didn't start until near the end of June when then iPhone 4 was released? But had unlimited data as a promotion until end of september. Older contracts like yours should still be unlimited

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...-unlimited-end

We have 2 contracts. One with a 3GS which is still unlimited data, and one new iPhone 4 contract which received a text as expected warning about the data cap coming into effect this month.

i just dont get why all 02 customers just dont switch to giffgaff? It uses 02, can be used in 02 phones and is a cheaper more for your money network without any streaming restrictions if u buy a goodybag - its a no brainer

It would be if I hadn't signed a 24 month contract with O2.

As for the after 24th June date, they say because I signed after the 24th April then I am covered by the new contract terms!
Dont worry I'm not giving up on it, I want to see that in writting!