Tethering a mobile phone

oakleyfamily_2

I have a bit of a gripe. My wife recently got a mobile with 500mb internet/data allowance. We used this to tether to a netbook while we were on holiday when the netbook 'dongle' didn't have a signal.
While I was browsing for a new sim deal I noticed that many of the mobile operators want more money for tethering.
Just to get my fact straight I went into The Carphone Warehouse to check if we had broken any rules (she is on Talk Mobile network), I was told that we had and there may be extra charges.

I challenged it in store and the sales person said that its because it's different data if you connect a laptop. I couldn't resist correcting him stating that digital data is a series of '0' and '1' and nothing else.

So, to my point. My wife has a data allowance of 500mb. This should be usable in any manner she sees fit short of planning terrorist activities or something similar.

I smell a rat. They sell us some data, then sell it again! Clever but very dishonest.

If fact, it is stupid because if I do tether I am more likely to use up my allowance and start paying extra when the allowance is used up.

Come on Martin, confront the mobile operators!

Buzby

No - it has nothing to do with the 'type' of data. You are seeking to use an additional feature, and commerce rules state that if there is a demand, then there should be a way to charge for it.

It is common practice to differentiate dongle/laptop traffic from that used by mobile handsets - and when 4G gets going, you'll see this more. Will you be happy if there is no bandwidth available to your handset, because it was being soaked up elsewhere?

It is priced at a higher level to provide a differential in price and to a lesser extent - manage usage to prevent the core network being overloaded. Dongle users can be managed in a different way that works well for data, but not for phone users - so they will keep the differential in place.

Bingolingo

It doesn't make a lot of sense really that networks should restrict how we use our data. I'm on a tariff which allows it but my previous tariff with T-mobile, which had a 3gb allowance, didn't.

I tethered anyway and was never charged extra or challenged about my use and it was with my laptop and tablet.

I'd say you'll probably only get charged when you go over your allowance. You'll probably use 500mb quicker if you're tethering but that's your choice.

diamonds

Binary code is binary code, any court would see that even if tethering usage is higher its is still the same binary code/data. The argument its different would not stand.

People should not be restricted, for all the disapointment of EE new data allowances in plans, capped usage tethering or not is the right way forward.

Im_just_careful

Your moral position is right, data is data and only when the offer is "unlimited" (based on an assumption of what a mobile phone user can consume) is it reasonable to charge extra for the use of a laptop.

The current UK contracts offered are generally different.

"Tethering" is often a chargable extra. Whether you will be charged depends on how you do it

1) iPhone - using the "Tether" facility will usually be charged as it is easy to spot

2) Other phone using a WiFi hotspot feature - Less likely that modest use will be charged as the way this is done makes it less obvious.

almillar

'Data' does have a cost - running the phone masts and data centres etc, and if enough people in the area use enough data, they need to buy more equipment, fair enough.
But data is data. I pay for my 1GB per month to o2 (along with those other things, you know the 'text' and 'calls' thingies) and I can use it whatever way I like, including tethering.
Market forces. If you don't like paying for tethering (and you shouldn't) move to a network/tariff that doesn't charge for it. And tell the network why you're leaving too. That'll get their attention!

MillicentBystander

The least stressful way to tether is just go with the network that allows you to do so without extra charge (unless you go over your allowance of course).

pawlala

Haven't Vodafone allowed free tethering on their price plans taken out since June 2011?

Neil49

pawlala wrote: »

Haven't Vodafone allowed free tethering on their price plans taken out since June 2011?

Vodaphone may, but TalkMobile have their own terms and conditions and tethering is not permitted.

~Chameleon~

Change provider! Simples!

O2 don't charge extra for tethering. I do it all the time between my iphone and netbook.

MillicentBystander

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Change provider! Simples!

O2 don't charge extra for tethering. I do it all the time between my iphone and netbook.

I think *officially* they do. They may just be turning a blind eye to yours at the moment.