O2 vows disconnection for freeloading iPhone tetherers

Don't do it, says the network

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.

Via: techradar.com

Full tags

Phones, iPhone apps, Apple, O2, Mobile broadband, iPhone