The launch of Apple's iPhone 4 also marks the end of unlimited smartphone data plans from major UK mobile phone companies.
O2, which was Apple's exclusive UK partner for the iPhone, has introduced a monthly cap of up to 1GB (gigabyte) for data on new contracts.
This mirrors a similar recent move by rival Vodafone, and Three has also today announced a 1GB monthly cap.
bill
7:27 am on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
This is a bad thing. Other companies and countries are going to use this and AT&T as examples. I couldn't afford my phone without an all-you-can-eat data plan.
topr8
9:34 am on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
yes, but surely no-one is suprised
it was obvious that unlimited bandwidth wouldn't last long, although as technology improves and network infrastructure improves then prices will drop again (just like with regular mobile phone tariffs and landline based internet connections have - in the UK at least)
engine
10:03 am on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
Yes, no surprise.
According to the phone operators, it's a relative few heavy usage users that have tipped the balance.
topr8
10:23 am on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
>>According to the phone operators, it's a relative few heavy usage users that have tipped the balance.
yes, it's a complicated issue ... from a selfish perspective, i'd rather not effectively pay for 'heavy users'
- on the other hand do we suspect it's just an excuse and infact the unlimited tariffs were only ever a marketing ploy to get users to sign up ... and if this is the case is it wrong or not to launch a product in this way?
g1smd
8:21 pm on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
I understood that O2 previously had an unspoken 200 MB "fair usage policy" on their "unlimited" tariffs.
O2 now have a documented 500 MB limit on lower tariffs, and 750 MB on higher tariffs.
Vodafone now have a 1 GB limit, and Orange seems to be 500 MB on most of their tariffs.
mack
8:27 pm on Jun 25, 2010 (gmt 0)
I think it means the same, just with different wording. My T-Mobile plan is unlimited, but the fair use policy states 1 gig.
