Yes, we know there is the jailbreak option, but as I said in the very first line of this thread, this is a discussion for those who do not want to jailbreak.

Surely t-mobile allows it already on the iphone?
At least from their small 500MB allowance.

Well that's Apple is doing for ages. Close you in a ghetto and make you pay for every peek out. You should be used to it by now.

What nonsense. It isn't Apple charging for the tethering options.

They made it like it is for a reason, give a network provider a possibility to turn it on or off. Either it's a free gift or they are in it together. Take other smartphones, they can act as a hotspot without the network having a say in this.

You're right, the facility to do it isn't restricted on other platforms, but you're still almost certainly in breach of your contract if you use your phone in this way.

The simple answer to make networks take notice is to simply change to a network which doesn't disable the feature. I am not saying that one or two people make the world of difference, but if hundreds decided to move and gave the same reason then maybe the networks would sit up and notice.

O2 to announce new tariffs that include tethering soon (via 02 Twitter)

Indeed, at least with a few of them.

O2: "Regardless of the amount of data you use, you must not use your sim: * in, or connected to, any device other than the one which it was supplied with or intended by us for use with (for example a mobile phone sim only tariff sim is intended for use in a mobile phone not a modem. This includes putting your sim into a modem, modem usage or internet tethering on your device unless stated)".

T-Mobile: "Remember that you can only use internet on your phone in the UK and you can’t use your phone as a modem or use internet on your phone for peer to peer file sharing, instant messaging or making internet phone calls."

Orange: "Mobile internet is not to be used for other activities (e.g. using your handset as a modem, non-Orange internet based streaming services, voice or video over the internet, instant messaging, peer to peer file sharing)."

Vodafone: I couldn't find specific mention in the T&Cs, however, I would have thought that it would be prohibited, given that Vodafone specifically sells a "Tethering Pack" to customers wishing to use their phone as a modem.

Three is the *only* network AFAIK that not only doesn't prohibit tethering without paying extra, but which actually also specifically says it's OK & lets you use as much as you want.... [Pity I'm with O2! ]

As I thought, with a few surprises. I'm not supposed to use instant messaging on Orange mobile internet???

That's because Orange have their own instant messenger service, Orange messenger. It costs £4 a month, £1 a day, or 5 p for each message sent and received!! http://web.orange.co.uk/p/web_messen...id2429026-tab3

Depends on whether you are thinking simply about data usage or not.

If I were to max out the capability of my local cell site by using a torrent program on a PC, I am causing congestion, which to alleviate requires lots of expensive equipment and planning. (perhaps not if it was just me, I guess, but if lots of people tethered)

If I instead opted to "spend" my 500MB by streaming a 128k radio station for hours on my phone , then I am not placing quite as much load as the above - there is plenty left for others.

There is a bit more to think about than simply usage.

Ha ha. Utterly ludicrous. I'll continue to use WhatsApp and Skype until they tell me otherwise.

It seems the way of Orange. When I first got my Desire off them it had Oranges paid version of maps instead of paid google maps, and Oranges own web browser along with Orange Messenger instead of google talk, demos for paid games which couldn't be removed along with links to even more Orange paid content. It seems to be Orange's current trend right now.

Yes i was using hotspot on my wifi only ipad earlier through my iphone 4 on vodafone 3g.

My Sony Ericsson C905 was full of Orange bloatware too. They'd even disabled some of the shortcut buttons which made it far more diffiult to use. To top it off, it crashed constantly. I ended up doing a factory reset and installing the vanilla OS.

Makes me glad Apple don't let the networks mess about with their OS very much.

As far as I'm aware Apple don't let the networks mess about with their OS at all.

Well, they allow the networks to lock down certain features, like the personal hotspot. That's really what I meant. But that's about it.

Yeah. The only other thing I can think of is that the carrier settings (?) for Three prevent you from disabling 3G (because if you're on Three but disabled 3G, you'd be using Three's 2G roaming partner).

But that's a hell of a lot better than allowing the networks to fill the phone with branding & bloatware.

Agreed. They do allow networks to place an optional bookmark at the bottom of the Settings>Phone section though AFAIK.

I believe certain network restrictions and also things like auto logon to bundled WiFi hotspot partners are handled by loading a profile - found in Settings>General>Profile. These tend to be loaded on a newly installed or updated iPhone via Carrier Settings synced and download via iTunes.

Sooooo, what happened to these new tariffs from o2?

I was told today in Carphone Warehouse they don't do 12 month contracts, even when upgrading. Of course I suppose I should take what they say with a pinch of salt.

I reckon they will be announced before the iPhone 5...

You're probably right, and pretty much what I was thinking myself.

I do wish companies wouldn't use the term "soon" when they mean in a few months. Soon is a week or two at the most, June is later in the year or in the summer!!!

Give them a week or two.