iPhone 4G?

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Why is it a bad deal? Mobile data networks are expensive to build thus mobile data is expensive to provide. If you want it someone needs to pay for it, the networks aren't doing charity deals!

Am I missing something?

What you'd be missing is a small fortune if you were fool enough to pay these ridiculous additional charges.  Explain to me why, if you are paying $40 a month or whatever it is they are charging for a data plan for their phone, then an additional $20 to activate the ability in the phone to have it operate as a hotspot, that they would set an artificial limit of 2G data on other devices connecting to the hotspot you are already paying extra for?  The only possible reason for that limit, that I can think of anyway, is so they can hit people with even MORE charges when they go over their 2G data cap with their shiny new iPhone hotspot. 

Nickel and diming new customers this way is NOT a good strategy when they need to build brand loyalty and make people want to commit to a multi year contract.  I believe Verizon is way overestimating the ability of iPhone to draw new customers away from other carriers.  They've taken basically the only feature that makes their plan better or different from AT&T (the hotspot) and crippled it.

Actually, you explained it better than I did, thank you.  :)

King

[X]

Why is it a bad deal? Mobile data networks are expensive to build thus mobile data is expensive to provide. If you want it someone needs to pay for it, the networks aren't doing charity deals!

Am I missing something?

I'm with you. People want everything free or cheap then will complain when the network can't support it. If you want to use a lap top or something with unlimited data, then buy the laptop connection. I think the tethering thing is more for a quick way to jump on the web with your other devices, but giving everyone in the range of your iphone free unlimited internet is no going to happen.

I fully agree with this, what I don't agree with is charging for SMS messages. I mean at the end of the day texts are very small data packets. If you have a data plan it should just subtract from that total. Charging for SMS is a holdover from analog days. God, I remember when you could only send texts to people who were on the same provider as you.

X, I'm not under some delusion this will be free.  But you get 2 GB to be spread out to 5 computers for $20 additional cost per month.  Unless your doing very basic web browsing, that 2 GB will not last the month.  Last month I did a heavy amount of 3G usage on my DL trip.  I hit 1.125 GB by the end of the month and that was 2 weeks on one phone with very little (if any) video streaming.  I don't see how 5 computers are supposed to stay under 2 GBs over the month period, thus making this feature really costly.  At the very least I would like to see 5-10 GBs per month or a reduction in cost, $5-10.  Unfortunately I don't see it happening because ppl will still pay it.  Sadly.  

No, I'm not saying we need to be able to stream youtube over 5 computers either.  But it would be nice if there was a bigger amount of data.  2GBs would require a lot of vigilance, ad-blocking and so on.  

King

That's the point, they don't want you trying to run 5 computers off of every iphone. If you want to have a better connection to the internet, then you have to buy one of the data devices. It makes no logical sense to give out free internet. it's suposed to be a quick way to get on the web, not an alternate service provider for you and you five closest friends.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

If that's the point, that is a very expensive "quick way" to get on the web.  Guess I'll be seeing a lot more Starbucks and such in the near future ;)

King

[Jobydrone]

I'm with you. People want everything free or cheap then will complain when the network can't support it. If you want to use a lap top or something with unlimited data, then buy the laptop connection. I think the tethering thing is more for a quick way to jump on the web with your other devices, but giving everyone in the range of your iphone free unlimited internet is no going to happen.

Ridiculous.  Nobody is asking for anything for free or even cheap.  Far from it.  These plan cost a small fortune already.  As I'm sure you are well aware, Chris, there are many companies that offer wireless mobile hotspots that allow multiple devices to connect to them with data plans comparable to home internet service providers.  The tethering feature of the iPhone could potentially be competition for those services but the data cap makes it worthless for anything other than an occasional web surf or email check.  Stream something like three or four movies a month and you are over the cap.

What I am pointing out is the absurdity of paying a monthly fee for a voice plan, additional money for a data plan, additional money for tethering, and then being subject to FEES if your tethering goes over 2GB when one of the features of your $30 data plan is unlimited data!  

Even more absurd is that a very large percentage of people that will be paying these costs and fees are already paying separately for home internet access as well.

[Meds]

Over here in the UK I am with O2 and to be fair I am very happy with them, i pay £35 a month and have unlimited internet, 500 texts and free calls. O2 has just announced free, yes FREE wifi hotspots around the country even if you are not on their network.

Here is the report.

O2 has unveiled its plans to launch O2 Wifi, a system of Wi-Fi hotspots in retailers and public spaces around the UK that will be free for anyone to use.

You won't even need to be an O2 customer to make use of the free Wi-Fi, with O2 aiming to make its money from venue partners instead of Joe Public.

In a similar style to BT Openzone and The Cloud, users will be able to connect to available Wi-Fi – but it won't cost them any money, just a few minutes of their time to sign up.

No one likes a stagnant Wi-Fi market

Gavin Franks, MD of O2 Wifi, told us, "We're going to transform the stagnant Wi-Fi market with O2 Wifi.

"Demands on public Wi-Fi have changed drastically over the last three years; it's no longer about getting your laptop out in a coffee shop for half an hour. Now people want to use it for five minutes in a shop to update their Facebook status instead.

"Our main aim was to make it better than what's already available; with consistent data speeds and a focus on usability. I genuinely believe it will transform the market and force The Cloud and BT Openzone to reassess their services."

Network strain

When asked if the move to open Wi-Fi was intended to relieve strain on O2's data networks, Tim Sefton, O2's New Business Development Director, emphatically denied that this was the case:

"Our network is in a really good position. We have no concerns about its capability to deliver the data capacity required by our customers," he said.

"Reducing strain on the network is a secondary benefit to the Wi-Fi network, and not a primary driver."

O2 also revealed that it is increasing its investment in the mobile network by 25 per cent in 2011, building on the £1m spent per day in 2010.

The O2 Wifi service will launch in O2 retail stores in March, with commercial partners, including shops and fast food chains, set to join the scheme in Q2.

Read more: http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/o2-to-launch-free-wi-fi-hotspots-for-all-923780#ixzz1CAuzyGrQ

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Hmm, heard a similar bill from a guy in Sweden.  The EU has a better Cellular business than the US by far, you pretty much confirmed that.  

Or I should say, a more user-friendly business. 

As Joby said, I feel like this deal is getting worse all the time.  It would be nice if one of the big guys threw us a a bone. 

King

[X]

I'm with you. People want everything free or cheap then will complain when the network can't support it. If you want to use a lap top or something with unlimited data, then buy the laptop connection. I think the tethering thing is more for a quick way to jump on the web with your other devices, but giving everyone in the range of your iphone free unlimited internet is no going to happen.

Ridiculous.  Nobody is asking for anything for free or even cheap.  Far from it.  These plan cost a small fortune already.  As I'm sure you are well aware, Chris, there are many companies that offer wireless mobile hotspots that allow multiple devices to connect to them with data plans comparable to home internet service providers.  The tethering feature of the iPhone could potentially be competition for those services but the data cap makes it worthless for anything other than an occasional web surf or email check.  Stream something like three or four movies a month and you are over the cap.

What I am pointing out is the absurdity of paying a monthly fee for a voice plan, additional money for a data plan, additional money for tethering, and then being subject to FEES if your tethering goes over 2GB when one of the features of your $30 data plan is unlimited data!  

Even more absurd is that a very large percentage of people that will be paying these costs and fees are already paying separately for home internet access as well.

I don't see a problem. As you have pointed out the limits of the plan, I'm sure that other people can decide if it's right for them. I also think that they can decide if they want to go over the limits and pay extra. I'm sure that there will be tons of people that want to show off their hotspot and will take the overages. Maybe they feel that if you're going to pay for an over priced phone, you'll also pay for an over priced data plan?

Meds, we have a ton of free hotspots here. In big cities, you can't go too far without getting a free hotspot.

[Jobydrone]

Comcast offers free WiFi hotspots in various locations around Philly but only for its customers.  I haven't been able to find one yet, but I think that's a pretty cool trend.  

[X]

Hmm, heard a similar bill from a guy in Sweden.  The EU has a better Cellular business than the US by far, you pretty much confirmed that.  

Or I should say, a more user-friendly business.  

As Joby said, I feel like this deal is getting worse all the time.  It would be nice if one of the big guys threw us a a bone.  

King

Again the US has tons of free hotspots and many cities are building their own free wifi networks.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Hmm, heard a similar bill from a guy in Sweden.  The EU has a better Cellular business than the US by far, you pretty much confirmed that. 

Or I should say, a more user-friendly business. 

As Joby said, I feel like this deal is getting worse all the time.  It would be nice if one of the big guys threw us a a bone. 

King

Again the US has tons of free hotspots and many cities are building their own free wifi networks.

Its not the Wifi I'm referring to Chris, its how much they charge their Droid and iPhone users.  They have a much more user-friendly plan than we do.  Or at least that's how I see it. 

King

[Meds]

Chris, its a important thing for the UK, i'm not comparing it to the land of the centre of the universe. ;) lol

For a phone company to say to customers of other networks hey you can use us for free is brilliant and also a great friendly company advert.

[Jobydrone]

I don't see a problem. As you have pointed out the limits of the plan, I'm sure that other people can decide if it's right for them. I also think that they can decide if they want to go over the limits and pay extra. I'm sure that there will be tons of people that want to show off their hotspot and will take the overages. Maybe they feel that if you're going to pay for an over priced phone, you'll also pay for an over priced data plan?

I guess the problem is that based on your comments you seem to agree with what Tim and I are saying, and yet feel the need to be contrary and argumentative?  I just don't understand.

[X]

Hmm, heard a similar bill from a guy in Sweden.  The EU has a better Cellular business than the US by far, you pretty much confirmed that.  

Or I should say, a more user-friendly business.  

As Joby said, I feel like this deal is getting worse all the time.  It would be nice if one of the big guys threw us a a bone.  

King

Again the US has tons of free hotspots and many cities are building their own free wifi networks.

Its not the Wifi I'm referring to Chris, its how much they charge their Droid and iPhone users.  They have a much more user-friendly plan than we do.  Or at least that's how I see it.  

King

I think that you aren't looking at the whole picture. We have millions more people trying to get time on the networks that we have here. It's a simple case of supply and demand. Our networks could support everyone there with little issue. However, we are here and we have people that pretty much live on the internet. Due to us having a higher demand and add a dash of network limits, they can charge more and bundle these things as premiums because people are willing to pay premium prices for them.

There are a good deal of inclusive cell phone plans around the country that are around the UK in price and features, but they aren't the big providers and they don't support the iPHone.

[X]

I guess the problem is that based on your comments you seem to agree with what Tim and I are saying, and yet feel the need to be contrary and argumentative?  I just don't understand.

What I'm saying is easier than that. I see why they are placing limits on the plans. I also think that it's over priced to me, but there will be thousands if not more of people that will see it as a fair price and pay the premium. I personally don't see a need to ever want to turn my phone into a hotspot, but I'm sure there are going to be people that disagree with that. In the end, it's a premium service that really isn't needed. If you can check your emails on your phone, why do you need a hotspot?

Maybe I'm missing something. What does it offer that you can't do on your phone already?

[Meds]

Well its quicker isnt it. I mean, the world today its all wnat want want, I want it now, i want it fast etc.