O2 vows disconnection for freeloading iPhone tetherers

Don't do it, says the network

O2 vows disconnection for freeloading iPhone tetherers

18 June 2009 12:38 GMT / By Duncan Geere

O2 has declared that it will disconnect or charge a fee to those who attempt to modify their iPhones to enable tethering without paying for the bolt-on.

A file has been whizzing around the internet that claims to be able to enable the service for free, using the internet allowance that comes as part of your O2 contract.

However O2 has issued the following statement:

"Internet rumours suggest that some customers have modified their iPhone to enable Internet Tethering without the purchase of the Internet Tethering Bolt On. Any use of this particular feature without the purchase of the Bolt on is specifically prohibited under our terms of service".

"Under those terms we reserve the right to charge customers making modem use of their iPhone or disconnect them. If customers wish to use the Internet Tethering feature on their iPhone 3G or iPhone 3G S, we recommend taking the Bolt On which is available from Friday 19 June".

It's not clear exactly how O2 will identify users engaging in free tethering antics, but it'll likely keep the strategy close to its chest to make it harder for users to get around it.

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Comments

  • I don't condone it, but perhaps if O2 weren't so insistent on charging users TWICE for internet access (tethered and on the iPhone) then people wouldn't be doing this anyway Posted by Bluem000n, UK
  • So O2 are unhappy that users are doing it, and suggest that they should do it the O2 approved way, but O2 don't actually have an approved way yet...

    FOR GOD'S SAKE! NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE DOING IT AN "UNAPPROVED" WAY!

    Perhaps if O2 were concerned with giving it's customers what they want / need, their customers WOULD be using their products.     Posted by BristolBachelor, England / Spain
  • 15 quid a month. I don't think so o2. Its hard times in this recession and paying for bills twice would be even harder. People will keep doing this. I want to say congratulations to the GOD that programmed the hack for making this one of the best days my iphone has seen yet.

    Until the bill arrives!!!!     Posted by iggyjiggy, uk

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