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O2 goes flat on data

Unmetered access, capped at 200MB

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O2 is launching a flat-rate tariff on 1 October - sort of. Costing £7.50 a month, the bolt-on is being called unlimited, but in fact is capped at just 200MB.

The launch was widely predicted, but the low cap comes as something of a surprise when the competition (3 UK) is offering a 1GB cap for £5 a month, though it is better than Vodafone's limp 120MB cap on its £7.50 a month service.

If you really want more data (O2 reckons only a laptop user would do that), you can get O2's Web Max which caps out at 3GB, but will set you back £30 a month.

Quite how both Bolt Ons can be described as "unlimited" when the only difference between them is their limits and the price, pushes marketing speak to a new low. But O2 points out that the caps are fair-use, and exceeding that will just result in a stern warning from O2.

BlackBerry users get their own "unlimited! special tariff at £10 a month, which includes pushed email and 200MB of web browsing. ®

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Latest Comments

exorbitant Data Charges

With the exception of t-mobile who seem to be leading the way in reasonably priced wireless data plans (even on pay and go!) the mobile network operators it seems, are reluctant to compete too aggressively with each other in the UK in any area but presently , data presently.

Also, o2 have recently announced they're intention to enter the home broadband market (presumably through leased sub standard bt copper line).

Err.. maybe instead they should be rolling out HSDPA (which can provide broadband speeds..wirelessly ) and revising their data plans to encourage uptake, but instead they'd rather fritter away millions on the launch of yet another mediocre isp that can provide speeds up to *insert unachievable as seen in their future billboard campaign speed here* .

Can't wait for the which review!

Expect more of the same mediocrity and misleading promises of service from these extortionists.

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exorbitant Data Charges

With the exception of t-mobile who seem to be leading the way in reasonably priced wireless data plans (even on pay and go!) the mobile network operators it seems, are reluctant to compete too aggressively with each other in the UK in any area but presently , data particularly .

Also, o2 have recently announced their intention to enter the home broadband market (presumably through leased sub standard bt copper line).

Err.. maybe instead they should be rolling out HSDPA (which can provide broadband speeds..wirelessly and is more fitting to their current business model ) and revising their data plans to encourage uptake, but instead they'd rather fritter away millions on the launch of yet another mediocre isp that can provide speeds up to *insert unachievable as seen in their future billboard campaign speed here* .

Can't wait for the which review!

Expect more of the same mediocrity and misleading promises of service from these extortionists.

0
0
Anonymous Coward

Rip off pricing

In the UK I have a Vodafone 3G (UMTS) data card 3.6MB/S - 3Gb / Month - cost £25 + Vat (£29.95) / M

If I exceed the limit it is £4 /Mb

In Austria I have A1 (Vodafone) 3G (UMTS) data card 7.2MB/S - 3GB / Month - cost 22€ / M

If I Exceed the limit it is 0.1€ / Mb

So why is the UK over twice the price for the same service ???

Same goes for Tele calls

Mobile UK 5p/min

Mobile Austria 0.05€ / Min (10€ PayG typically lasts 3 months !!!)

And many other Telecoms comparisons

UK is typically twice the cost for the same operator ...... can someone explain.

UK Prices have a LOooooooonnnnggggg way to compete with EU prices.

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