GiffGaff unlimited mobile Internet and tethering

amorphix

This is a quick heads up to anyone thinking of switching to GiffGaff, or already using GiffGaff and wanting to tether their mobile Internet to a laptop or computer, perhaps as an attempt to save money...

I recently had to do this for an extended period due to Sky messing up my phone line and my being without broadband for a month!

GiffGaff, is probably the cheapest network offering unlimited mobile Internet (£12 a month) and although they DO allow tethering, it states in their T&C that this is not to be used as a regular broadband service on non-mobile devices.

I managed to get away with it for like 4-5 weeks of normal daily use, before they finally blocked my Internet access for 30 minutes with a "time to un-tether now" screen. They said I have breached the T&C and over-used the mobile Internet.

So, in short, unlimited mobile Internet is only unlimited while it's being used on your mobile device. Don't expect to tether indefinitely or for extended periods.

But in fairness they were pretty generous and allowed me 4-5 weeks daily use, so if you're in a jam and can't get broadband it might help you.

Note, GiffGaff do reset the IP and drop you the network often if you tether (every hour and sometimes more frequently) devices to stop you streaming videos and stuff. It seems that the more bandwidth and/or longer you continue being tethered, the more frequently they interrupt your connection! Eventually they start stopping it working completely, so you have to disconnect and reconnect your mobile Internet on your handset.

TadleyBaggie

I'm pretty sure when they changed the data allowances a few months ago, the £12 "unlimited" Goodybag did not allow tethering. Tethering was allowed however on the limited data Goodybags.

From their website:

Tethering is strictly forbidden on all goodybags that contain unlimited data allowance (£12 and upwards), but is authorised on the goodybags with a limited data allowance (Hokey Cokey, the £7.50 goodybag and the £10 goodybag).

ZhugeEX

You can't tether on a Giff Gaff unlimited plan.

Only Three provide truly unlimited tethering with their One Plan.

FelinePrincess

How easy would it be to tether from an iPhone to iPad? Only experience I've had us using personal hotspot which I understand doesn't work in gifgaf

Harald

If you have jailbroken iPhone or iPad just install TetherMe from Cydia and it will work without any problems.

d123

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

I'm pretty sure when they changed the data allowances a few months ago, the £12 "unlimited" Goodybag did not allow tethering. Tethering was allowed however on the limited data Goodybags.

From their website:

Tethering is strictly forbidden on all goodybags that contain unlimited data allowance (£12 and upwards), but is authorised on the goodybags with a limited data allowance (Hokey Cokey, the £7.50 goodybag and the £10 goodybag).

You are right and the OP is wrong, tethering is not allowed on any goody bag with unlimited data (£12 and above).

joshtbh

Hi all anyone know how to block giffgaff from being able to tell you are tethering?

ZhugeEX

joshtbh wrote: »

Hi all anyone know how to block giffgaff from being able to tell you are tethering?

Step 1: Read the terms and conditions
Step 2: Understand that Giff Gaff do not permit tethering
Step 3: Realise that there is nothing you can do because Giff Gaff make the rules.
Step 4: Go buy a SIM card from Three who do what you want.

Zebrdee

As posted in another thread, why does it matter about tethering, you pay for an amount of data, why should the network decide how it gets used. Do petrol stations tell you where you can drive when you buy fuel?

ZhugeEX

Zebrdee wrote: »

As posted in another thread, why does it matter about tethering, you pay for an amount of data, why should the network decide how it gets used. Do petrol stations tell you where you can drive when you buy fuel?

I disagree.

Tethering is different to handset use. And on an Unlimited data plan, tethering can really affect the quality of the network if everyone starts doing it. Hence why Three have introduced their traffic sense tool.

What i agree with though is that tethering should be allowed on all limited plans. EE are a great example where they provide 50GB allowance on their 4G tariffs and allow tethering. Networks should not be allowed to block tethering on limited plans as that defeats the point. Unlimited plans is different, Three can do it because they have the tools in place to manage tethering efficiently. Giff Gaff are a small MVNO and do not have the tools to intelligently traffic manage users who tether on unlimited plans. This can have a dire effect on the network if everyone was to start tethering, especially seeing as Giff Gaff don't actually own the network they run on which is already used by O2's 20m+ customers.

grumbler

Zebrdee wrote: »

As posted in another thread, why does it matter about tethering, you pay for an amount of data, why should the network decide how it gets used.

Because in practice unlimited is always some finite amount and with a PC or TV this finite amount is likely to be (or is on average) much bigger than for a mobile phone. As simple as that. Take it o leave it.