O2 now putting data cap on ALL existing customers

Colinb_3

Following on from my previous post about my delightful email from O2, I have replied to them stating my grievances. Basically that I signed up to an 'unlimited' mobile data plan, and 500mb is hardly unlimited etc etc etc.
I will post any replies if and when I get them.

Rycall

Any update on this?

Ive emailed both Ofcom and O2 Complaints and have yet to recieve a response to either but im not hopeful

gjchester

Rycall wrote: »

Any update on this?

Ive emailed both Ofcom and O2 Complaints and have yet to recieve a response to either but im not hopeful

OFCOM are unlikly to be interested, this is a business decision by o2 and they do not regulate business decisions. Unlimited data has always had the rider of "subject to fair use", this announcment just defines what is considered fair use.

However as I said all mobile companies are doing this and to be honest it's probably down to the EU forcing roaming price cuts and also the people who have been downloading all day and all night that has lead to this change happening. The selfish actions of the few affect the minority.

Colinb_3

My latest contact from O2 is below. I must admit that I'm pretty confused, as the email seems contradictory to me. It seems to say that data capping is applicable to everyone, but to not to me unless I change my contract???? I have a two year contract which started in October 2009. I emailed again asking for clarification.


Thanks for replying to xxxxxxxx's email.

Please be informed that the Capping internet data usage policy is
applicable for all our customers.

I'd like to inform you that if you don't change your tariff or upgrade
your contract you'll receive Unlimited data till your contract end date.

Colin, now managing your account online is just a click away. You can
access your online account now from your iPhone 24 hours a day.

Simply send a text to 21202 with the word BUNDLE, you'll then receive a
text with allowance information and a WAP link to view your account.
This service is free of charge when accessed in the UK.

ruggedtoast

I have been finding that most network employees are so conditioned into calling 500mb unlimited they just cant stop themselves saying it.

bigturnip

Wouldn't it just be easier for Ofcom to make a ruling that phone companies can't use the word 'unlimited' unless they actually mean no limit. If there is a cap or a fair use policy then they shouldn't be allowed to use the word 'unlimited'.

robt_2

bigturnip wrote: »

Wouldn't it just be easier for Ofcom to make a ruling that phone companies can't use the word 'unlimited' unless they actually mean no limit. If there is a cap or a fair use policy then they shouldn't be allowed to use the word 'unlimited'.

The ASA say they can.

Colinb_3

I can see how unlimited might work in the context of a fair usage policy which is somewhat flexible and not so finite. Really it shouldn't be used at all but as mentioned it has been deemed ok by the ASA.
However if data is definitively capped at 500mb, 750mb or whatever, then surely the use of unlimited is a contradiction????

gjchester

Colinb wrote: »

I can see how unlimited might work in the context of a fair usage policy which is somewhat flexible and not so finite. Really it shouldn't be used at all but as mentioned it has been deemed ok by the ASA.
However if data is definitively capped at 500mb, 750mb or whatever, then surely the use of unlimited is a contradiction????

The ASA say (and I'm paraphrasing) and yes I know this is not really common sense...

As long as the majority of users do not hit any fair use limit, then for them the service (be it text/ calls / internet) can be considered unlimited (and advertised as such) as they do not hit any artificial limit.

Now to me unlimited until you hit a limit means limited but the ASA have repeatedly ruled thats not the case and unlimited is an acceptable term in this context.

Just the same as broadband is sold as "upto" xx mb, the UPTO means it can be anything but they can still offer the headline rate. My Mums is 1MB but it's advertised as "upto 8MB". I'm on cable which is slightly different..

Colinb_3

I received another email from O2. It would seem that customers with pre-existing contracts (I assume before June 24th) will retain unlimited data.....whatever that means. Any comments/interpretations??


New or upgrading customer on 18 or 24 month tariff don't include
unlimited data access. However, all these tariffs will include minimum
500 Mb. From October 2010, in case, you want to have additional data
usage (more than the data allowance), you'll have to pay £5 to get 500
MB data service and £10 for 1GB.

I can see that you're on £35 24 month tariff and your contract end with
us on 01 October 2011 in which you get's unlimited web & wi-fi. So you
can stay with your same tariff without any change till 01 October 2011.

If you want any detailed description about these tariffs, I request you
to visit the link given below:

.....shop.o2.co.uk/new-iphone/tariffs.html#paymonth