Using I phone/Balckberry abroad question

squirrelchops

Hi all,

I don't have an I phone or Blackberry but considering getting one.

If you want to use the internet abroad is it only accessible via the phone or can you put in an option to use it via Wi-Fi? Hope that makes sense as I understand it is very expensive to use phone internet access abroad.

Thank you.

custardy

squirrelchops wrote: »

Hi all,

I don't have an I phone or Blackberry but considering getting one.

If you want to use the internet abroad is it only accessible via the phone or can you put in an option to use it via Wi-Fi? Hope that makes sense as I understand it is very expensive to use phone internet access abroad.

Thank you.

you can use Wifi anywhere on the globe regardless of carrier
however access to wifi depends on whats around you
are you meaning wifi where you are staying or out and about?

squirrelchops

Hi. I mean using Wi-Fi where I will be staying. IE....they offer free Wi-Fi.

I am trying to work out if you are able to use the Wi-Fi with these phones that is free rather than connecting via the phone eg Orange or the like which is very costly. Hope this makes sense. you hear stories of people looking up a TV programme or whatever on their phone and gettign a huge bill.

custardy

i would expect the phone to default to wifi when available
i know my HTC does just that

TheMiddle

certain blackberry's (most of the new ones) and iphone both have wi-fi built in and it shouldn't be a problem logging on to your hotel / pub free wi-fi service whilst abroad without running up charges.

cheers,

TM

squirrelchops

fab thank you.

darich

TheMiddle wrote: »

certain blackberry's (most of the new ones) and iphone both have wi-fi built in and it shouldn't be a problem logging on to your hotel / pub free wi-fi service whilst abroad without running up charges.

cheers,

TM

Not entirely true unfortunately.

Using the any wifi connection, whether at home or abroad counts towards your data allowance for the month.
The exceptions are at home where you log into your own (hopefully) secure network or at a family member's home where you log into their network.
But using a wifi connection at mcdonalds, pub, library, internet cafe etc uses your data allowance for the month.

EDIT : I just checked Orange terms and conditions. Their unlimited data has a fair usage limit of 750mb but also states "Mobile internet browsing is for use within the UK only. Any use outside the UK will be charged at the relevant international rates"
So it looks like Orange at least will charge for using internet abroad. Without checking the others I imagine they'll be similar.
Best to check with the carrier you use before travelling.

TheMiddle

What are you basing that on!? Wifi is totally independant of your service provider.

custardy

darich wrote: »

Not entirely true unfortunately.

Using the any wifi connection, whether at home or abroad counts towards your data allowance for the month.
The exceptions are at home where you log into your own (hopefully) secure network or at a family member's home where you log into their network.
But using a wifi connection at mcdonalds, pub, library, internet cafe etc uses your data allowance for the month.

EDIT : I just checked Orange terms and conditions. Their unlimited data has a fair usage limit of 750mb but also states "Mobile internet browsing is for use within the UK only. Any use outside the UK will be charged at the relevant international rates"
So it looks like Orange at least will charge for using internet abroad. Without checking the others I imagine they'll be similar.
Best to check with the carrier you use before travelling.

you confusing wifi inclusive packages (like openzone) with simply joining a wifi network

darich

TheMiddle wrote: »

What are you basing that on!? Wifi is totally independant of your service provider.

From Orange Terms and Conditions
"Inclusive WiFi use of BT Openzone hotspots in the UK only. Fair Usage policy of 750MB applies . Usage above 750MB per month may result in suspension of Wifi services and/or suspension of your account"

You need an account to use free wifi - so they can then track and monitor your usage.

So the free wifi hotspots count towards your data usage, but using the iphone at home or at a friends on a private router doesn't. In that case it would count towards the data usage on either your or your friends internet usage.

darich

custardy wrote: »

you confusing wifi inclusive packages (like openzone) with simply joining a wifi network

I'm not - I stated that the free wifi at mcdonalds etc would count but using the wifi at home on your own router doesn't.

Either way, Orange clearly states that it only counts data in the UK as free with your contract. So anything abroad, as the OP asked would be chargeable, on an Orange account at least.