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iPhone Wi-fi hotspot - can we shame the networks?


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Old 11-03-2011, 12:49
denzil28
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Surely when the 4.3 jailbreak eventually makes its way onto the internet we'll be able to tether without any additional cost like on Android devices?
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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 13:22
alanwarwic
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Surely t-mobile allows it already on the iphone?
At least from their small 500MB allowance.
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Old 11-03-2011, 14:02
IvanIV
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 14:34
IslandNiles
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 14:42
IvanIV
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 15:02
IslandNiles
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 15:17
carguy143
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 19:14
Microkorg
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O2 to announce new tariffs that include tethering soon (via 02 Twitter)
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Old 11-03-2011, 19:15
Matt D
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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.
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! ]
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Old 11-03-2011, 19:18
IslandNiles
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As I thought, with a few surprises. I'm not supposed to use instant messaging on Orange mobile internet???
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Old 11-03-2011, 19:25
carguy143
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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
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Old 11-03-2011, 19:35
moox
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Yes but my point is that whether you download apps on your phone or MP3s on your PC, data is data and is downloading at the same speed. For those on capped data plans, or "unlimited" with fair usage, it shouldn't matter how you use your data allowance. 500mb over a phone is the same as 500mb over a PC. Whether they do this in 30 mins or 30 days is up to the user either way.
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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 20:14
IslandNiles
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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
Ha ha. Utterly ludicrous. I'll continue to use WhatsApp and Skype until they tell me otherwise.
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Old 11-03-2011, 20:57
carguy143
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 21:09
thedons1903
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I've just updated my 3GS on Vodafone and Personal Hotspot is there in settings.

I went in to enable it and was surprised to see it allowed me to enable it and connect to the tinterweb on my netbook with it.

I didn't think the 3GS was getting it and didn't think Vodafone would allow it.

Anyone else got it on a 3GS? Anyone else got it working on Vodafone?
Yes i was using hotspot on my wifi only ipad earlier through my iphone 4 on vodafone 3g.
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Old 11-03-2011, 21:09
IslandNiles
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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.
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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 21:12
Gormond
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 21:23
IslandNiles
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 21:27
Matt D
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 22:11
psionic
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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.
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Old 17-03-2011, 17:13
denzil28
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Sooooo, what happened to these new tariffs from o2?
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Old 17-03-2011, 19:24
Red Arrow
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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.
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Old 17-03-2011, 20:44
psionic
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Sooooo, what happened to these new tariffs from o2?
I reckon they will be announced before the iPhone 5...
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Old 18-03-2011, 12:44
denzil28
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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!!!
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Old 18-03-2011, 13:27
goomba
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Soon is a week or two at the most
Give them a week or two.
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