"unlimited" Wifi vs. mobile Internet access

jenniewb

Just have a question on internet access.

Am currently watching out for a decent contract to join, (wont be 'till the Iphone5 comes out, I don't want one but what I do want is a cheaper HTC of Samsung handset which I am hoping will be cheaper once the new Apple phone comes out).

I have seen 02 offer "unlimited wifi and 500mb data". The 500mb wouldn't be enough for me. I have done the maths, I know I could curb it at 1gb but wouldn't work with less (I had a 3-mob contract before and even monitored my own data, I sometimes would go over 1gb without too much effort: I am primarily a net user as oppose to a call/texter.)

But the wifi- I live in London, Wifi for 02 is around in most places I think, would this mean I really wouldn't need much of my 500mb data? Is this how it works or is wifi a different sort of access to normal internet on a mobile?

JJ_Egan

WiFi is normal internet transmitted via Wireless Signal as per your home WiFi router .
Out and about their are a number of free WiFi outlets MacDonald's Starbucks etc .

Dont know exactly what O2 are suffering though .

jje

jenniewb

JJ_Egan wrote: »

WiFi is normal internet transmitted via Wireless Signal as per your home WiFi router .
Out and about their are a number of free WiFi outlets MacDonald's Starbucks etc .

Dont know exactly what O2 are suffering though .

jje

I know, I have seen the wifi options (I have an ipod and it has wifi access but am not able to access any of it as its not a mobile and I don't have wifi access unless its paid for whenever I see it). As I see it so often (like everywhere in London!) would this mean I get unlimited internet everywhere without even touching the 500mb or is there some catch?

As it is it would seem to me I'd never have to use the 500mb being in London and using the internet on a mobile, but not sure if I'm seeing what they (O2) want me to see and not the reality.

Hammyman

It will be Wifi via the BT Fon network I suspect.

Wannie_2

Hammyman wrote: »

It will be Wifi via the BT Fon network I suspect.

No, with O2 it's The Cloud and BT Openzone.

Wannie_2

In addition..... O2 WiFi

DUTR

Wannie wrote: »

In addition..... O2 WiFi

Indeed, this is an old story but O2 are rolling out free wi fi for everybody

http://www.o2.co.uk/wifi

ruggedtoast

DUTR wrote: »

Indeed, this is an old story but O2 are rolling out free wi fi for everybody

http://www.o2.co.uk/wifi

Holy cow. It is as if o2 are the santy clause of mobile internet.

buglawton

02 has fairly woeful 3g coverage - I know cos missus has an iPhone on GiffGaff that piggybacks on 02.

I carry a 3g T-Mobile phone and noticed that where there is a T-mob phone signal (for phone calls alone, coverage not as good as 02 actually) there is usually reasonable 3g.

With 02, can get a phone signal everywhere but the 3g icon on 02 - much more rarely!

No such thing as the perfect pudding here.

jenniewb

Thanks for the replies, I was aware of the wifi offered- seems pretty vast to me as wherever I am with my ipod and try to see if there is anything free going (the ipod has free wifi) I constantly see the stuff O2 are offering (but its all locked, presume it wouldn't be locked on whatever handset I had if I was with 02).

So, if anyone can please answer my question: If 02 are offering this 'free unlimited wifi' and I'm seeing these wifi options everywhere I seem to go, does this mean if I were to get an 02 contract/sim/deal I wouldn't even need to use the 500mb of internet acess they offer?

Does anyone know or have experience of this?

DUTR

jenniewb wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I was aware of the wifi offered- seems pretty vast to me as wherever I am with my ipod and try to see if there is anything free going (the ipod has free wifi) I constantly see the stuff O2 are offering (but its all locked, presume it wouldn't be locked on whatever handset I had if I was with 02).

So, if anyone can please answer my question: If 02 are offering this 'free unlimited wifi' and I'm seeing these wifi options everywhere I seem to go, does this mean if I were to get an 02 contract/sim/deal I wouldn't even need to use the 500mb of internet acess they offer?

Does anyone know or have experience of this?

The article suggests one need not even be an O2 customer, that said I'm in the Midlands and have not seen any O2 wifi, for me I often see openzone or btfon and the app allows me access via my bt internet account.