o2 tethering

Satellite_John

Do o2 include free tethering within the data allowance on new iPhone pay monthly contracts?

Many thanks.

macman

Yes, all recent contracts appear to allow tethering. It's not free, it's inclusive out of your data allowance.

Pound

Sorry for bumping an old thread.

Just trying to understand if I can tether or not. O2's own website seems to be contradictory or ambiguous. Sometimes it's simply not recommended then gives instructions for "one off" tethering. Sometimes it refers to 'fair use' and then links to a policy which says the only restriction is the allowance for your tariff.

As far as I can tell O2 don't like too much tethering but it's within the terms and conditions that you can use your data allowance in any way you like as long as it's not very excessive.

http://www.o2.co.uk/help/digital-services/personal-hotspot
"We don't recommend using your phone as a personal hotspot. Sims on standard mobile tariffs are designed for calls, texts and general use, like daily browsing. They're not made for being used as or in a mobile broadband device, as this eats up a lot of data."

"If you do need to use your smartphone as a personal hotspot on a one-off basis "

http://www.o2.co.uk/termsandconditions/mobile/o2-pay-monthly-consumer-fair-usage-policy
"Information about traffic shaping and throttling can be found in our KFI (Key Facts Indicator). If we reasonably suspect you're not behaving within this policy, we reserve the right to impose further charges or disconnect your SIM card or your tariff at any time, having attempted to contact you first.

http://static.o2.co.uk/www/docs/kana/traffic_management.pdf
"Mobile phone customers’ service will cease when their monthly tariff allowance is consumed and until they begin a new charging
month or additional allowance is purchased."
"Customers whose use is so excessive that other customers are detrimentally affected will be warned to adjust their usage or risk disconnection."

20aday

Yes you can tether absolutely fine on o2's network.

I think it's aimed more at those who don't have a fixed broadband service and/or have low data limits each month.

Obviously a FUP would apply to things like torrent websites, gaming etc. Basically anything that would use a lot of bandwidth and slow down speeds for other users.

That's one of the reasons Three U.K. stopped their Unlimited Tethering on their price plans because people were using it instead of a fixed broadband connection.