Database Users

Best Data Plan?

Hi,
I have just given a notice to end my contract with 3 UK. I am using an O2 XDA Exec as in my signature. I will really appreciate some help here!!
Since I have moved to my new place, I have not been able to get a broadband connection due to technical problems with the exchange upgrade. I tried 3 different companies with the same result - tech problem.
I cannot access the internet from home except the dialup which ofcourse is not uptospeed.
My question is What is the best data /voice plan out there which would allow me to access the internet through my Mobile at home (via bluetooth connection to my desktop/laptop)?
Any suggestions will be more than welcome.
Ciao
Tunndoc

T-Mobile FlexT with the Web & Walk Pro add-on would be your best option.
None of the other networks are currently very competitive at all.
And you would probably get something like a Vario II free which would be better to use as the modem since it supports HSDPA.

T- Mobile Web N Walk
Thanx for a speedy reply. This is what I found on the t-mobile website
"Web’n’walk fair use policy
Subject to coverage. Compatible handset required. Provides unlimited browsing on mobile handsets in the UK. Not applicable to connection via CSD. To ensure a high quality of service for all our customers a fair use policy applies. T-Mobile defines fair use as total UK data (both sent and received) of up to 1GB per month. T-Mobile may contact customers who exceed 1GB of data and ask them to reduce their usage. If data usage is not reduced, notice may be given, after which network protection controls may be applied. Not to be used for other activities (including but not limited to): modem access for computers, internet based video/audio streaming services, peer to peer file sharing, internet based video downloads, internet phone calls and instant messaging. If such use is detected, notice may be given after which network protection controls may be applied. The application of network protection controls will result in a reduced speed of transmission. "
As the use of the mobile as a modem is prohibited, this would mean that I still won't be able to get my Laptop/desktop hooked to the internet.
Any other ideas!!!!
Thanx in advance
Tunndoc
Edited: Sorry I found the laptop version, Thanx for ur help
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=pp_webnwalk_laptop

Hi
T-Mobile also do a WebNWalk PROFESSIONAL for a couple of pounds extra per month. This removes many of the restriction including the modem useage. The only remaining significant restrictions are no VOIP and no MSN type instant messaging - not unreasonable, I suppose, since these are direct competition to their phone and SMS services.
When I signed up, I was told that I had to sign up for the regular WebNWalk service and then upgrade it to the pro version by phoning customer services. This is what I did and it all worked as planned.
Hope this helps.
Mark

Vario 2 - GPRS faster than UTMS/HSDPA - WTF?

Not having had a PPC or phone that could handle full internet before, I was not sure how fast the speeds should be but I recently was in an area that did not have HSDPA and the phone automatically connected via GPRS.
To my shock, GPRS loads (or displays) web pages noticeably faster than 3 bars of service with UTMS.
I am on T-mob WnW (unlimited) and am currently disabling UTMS when I just want to browse. Downloading is still much faster (dsl speed test etc) but GPRS is way faster at browsing.
It also takes well over a minute to connect to UTMS (sometimes it just stays on "connecting" until I close that and start the connection again) and only about 30secs to connect to gprs.
1, What the hell is going on?
2, Are there settings out there that will stop this issue?
Help. Please. Someone. Soon. Please.

Can I ask how you're finding T-Mobile with WnW? I'm looking at one of their packages, but I'm still umming and arrring...

trapper said:
Can I ask how you're finding T-Mobile with WnW? I'm looking at one of their packages, but I'm still umming and arrring...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using their flext 35 plus WnW. I'm using it instead of a broadband connection and I love it. I must admit that you cannot use it as a modem (it must be WnW Plus), and for p2p and it works like a charm. In general I'm able to download files at around 100KB/s, browsing is extremely fast and the only thing I can sey is go for it

Does it only come with the pink plastic around the keyboard? Also have you stayed with T-Mobile's ROM? And if so what's it like?
What version of WnW did you go for? I'm looking at Flext 35 with WnW Plus. Can I also ask what applications if any you've added?
Many thanks,
-Dave

I am on WnW Flext 25 thorugh T-mob business sales. I got the phone for £59, the package the Flext 25 for £25 per month and WNW for an extra £7.50.
Because I went direct with T-mob I get £5 off per month for life and for the first three months I get WNW for free, so package costs £20 for the first 3 months then goes to £27.50 per month.
Generally I am pleased with flext apart from:
1, 0870 + 0845 (etc) numbers do not come out of your flext allowance and will be charged on top of your bill. For these national rate numbers that you might call often (bank etc) it's worth finding out their standard number (they all have one - say you need to have it as you might be calling them from abroad)
2, The international calls + SMS are v. expensive. Don't use this abroad or for calling someone overseas unless you have a calling card etc. Data is actually not that bad unless you use it a lot.
3, I have really patchy connection problems but think it is the phone not T-mob. They are actually OK at sorting out problems fairly swiftly but this could be due to the fact I am a business customer.
4, I found the way they bill you really confusing and illogically listed, especially the month I ported my number from another network.
I have stuck with the original T-mob ROM as I am having all sorts of connection problems (data and voice) and knew I had to send it back to them. I do however think there are more reliable ROMs out there.
Go for T-mob, the package is the best on the market, Orange is really expensive for data and Voda's packages are not as well thought out.
By the way mean-machine what P2P's are you using?

T-Mobile Web n Walk Tarif Question

I have spoken to T-Mobile and looked at the site but it just says web browsing is covered by Web n Walk what I want to know is using Windows Live on my Vario 2 is the Windows Live Hotmail sync covered in the Web n Walk £.7.50 a month tarif or is this charged as extra.
I just want to avoid adding things to my Vario that are going to end up costing me a fortune on my next bill.
I dont suppose Windows Live Messenger is covered is it ???
Can anyone using this tarrif with T-mobile UK let me know there experience ??? and whats usable and whats not.
Regards
Kevin

Hi Kev, as far as I know everything is covered on web 'n' walk, I have it and they've never charged me extra for anything. The only thing you I think you have to watch out for is using P2P - if you're always downloading movies they will get you under their fair use policy (some sort of discretionary cap).
You should also check before using your phone as a modem for your laptop, else you might end up with a 5-figure phone bill, like that Canadian chap...

Officially pretty much anything apart from Web browsing and email is excluded from the standard WnW. Try the 7.50 Wnw and if you can access Messenger then do so as you won't be charge any extra. Don't be surprised if one day you find the port blocked though.

This link tells you exactly what you can and cannot, officially, use web'n'walk for:
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/uk/fairuse/
summary:
wnw standard:
1GB monthly limit
modem - NO
P2P - NO
VOIP - NO
IM - NO
wnw plus:
3GB monthly limit
modem - YES
P2P - YES (it doesn't specifically say not whereas standard does say NOT)
VOIP - NO
IM - YES
wnw max:
10GB monthly limit
modem - YES
P2P - YES (as above)
VOIP - YES
IM - YES

nahguam said:
This link tells you exactly what you can and cannot, officially, use web'n'walk for:
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/uk/fairuse/
summary:
wnw standard:
1GB monthly limit
modem - NO
P2P - NO
VOIP - NO
IM - NO
wnw plus:
3GB monthly limit
modem - YES
P2P - YES (it doesn't specifically say not whereas standard does say NOT)
VOIP - NO
IM - YES
wnw max:
10GB monthly limit
modem - YES
P2P - YES (as above)
VOIP - YES
IM - YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep thats the jist of it....ive seen people who signed up to standard wnw very early on be able to use it for a modem (as i believe the tncs didnt say not to when they signed up) but i had to upgrade to wnw+ to use ICS over my HSDPA connection......works great!

Yea, I started my T-mobile contract in Nov '06 and at first didn't even question the wnw usage as a modem, I just assumed I could... Just before ordering while doing a bit more research I found that fair usage link so went for the wnw+ instead, only 2.50 more pm (at the time).
In fact, I'm sat in a Hotel room in East Kilbride using internet sharing on my Hermes, right now, as I type this on my laptop I didn't have to ask T-Mobile to enable HSDPA either, it was enabled by default. I consistently get ~60KB/s download speed, almost broadband-like
To specifically answer the original question, officially I would say you CAN use wnw standard to enable Windows Live to sync your hotmail but you cannot use Windows Live Messenger. Unofficually, I doubt T-Mobile would do anything if you did... If I were you go for the WnW standard if you don't think you'll want to use the internet sharing and if T-Mobile send you a warning about using Messenger then just upgrade to plus... no bother.

I'm on WnW basic.
The only thing that's blocked is FTP, which is easily worked around by just using my own (private) proxy server to route through. Everything else has always worked, including email and WLM.

O2 X1 as modem - Breaching contract??

I have recently discovered how to use my phone as a modem on my laptop, and use the dataplan. I have unlimited data usage. the question i'm asking is: would they do anything when they find out there's a lot of data being used on my behalf. Also i've looked through O2's t&c's and all it says is fair usage, no actual figure of how much data per month you are allowed. could someone just give me some insightful info.
Thanks,
Joel
Also would using a bluetooth connection maybe make me less inconspicuous as there is a maximum data transfer rate of 56 kilo BYTES using bluetooth, where as O2 has a maximum HSDPA speed of 1.8 mega BITS (around 180 kilo BYTES per second). So maybe staying away from a cable would be slightly beneficial?

from their side it should just show that it's your phone which request and recieve all the data your laptop request thats the nature of using it as a router/modem

what do you mean?

Whoa!!
I used my phone with the Internet Sharing for a couple of days just to check my email and do a little browsing (While I was away in Cornwall).
And I got charged even though i've got unlimited data plan.
According to the O2 they can charge me if I use the phone as a tethered modem. As to how they know the difference between the phones browser and a laptop using it's connection I don't know

blink182_joel said:
what do you mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He means they won't know a thing!
Basically, using laptop to access is the same as using the phone but plus convenient.

THJahar said:
Whoa!!
I used my phone with the Internet Sharing for a couple of days just to check my email and do a little browsing (While I was away in Cornwall).
And I got charged even though i've got unlimited data plan.
According to the O2 they can charge me if I use the phone as a tethered modem. As to how they know the difference between the phones browser and a laptop using it's connection I don't know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be you could try changing UserAgent on you browser to match opera and see if that works.

I've recieved a warning.. kind of
It reads
O2: Due to your daily data usage being extremely high following our previous warning
Thats it!
I've had no other warnings to my knowledge.
I called to enquire what the meaning of the above message. The call centre op said it was to do with my data usage and Asked me if i was using my phone as a modem
I've been with o2 for many years, and have used my phone as a modem for the entire time
I don't fully believe they can tell what you're doing with your phone, surely if they knew the call centre op would have pointed this out.
But I do believe i have put myself above the radar by DLing the latest episode of Heroes on Tuesday night!! (I was stopping in a hotel and I was bored!)

ha ha brilliant. so... has anyone measured their download speed if so what's the highest you've achieved? i'm intrigued...

I was told the "unlimited" plan was subject to a fair usage policy which was around 300mb a month or so, up to 400 would not be unreasonable the chap said... but I have not even got near that yet... yet...

The only way they can tell your phone is being used as a modem is as a result of the high usage. There is nothing to say that you cannt use your phone as a modem and the only restriction is the unlimited data plan bolt-on's fair usage policy. The policy isn't a set figure from what I have been told, it's a determined level of data allowance based upon your tariff, minutes and texts and your usage on the contract. What I'm not sure of id whether the fair usage figure goes up as you use more minutes and texts. However, I think it is raised by how much your tariff and average monthly spend is.
All I can suggest is not using a phone as a modem other than in an emergency, such as in a power cut....which there are barely any of in the UK.

I work for o2...The official line is your not supposed to do it.
Fair usage policy is 230 MB. It has been set at an amount that a phone alone would never use in a month.
Problem with laptops and PC's is they consume much larger quantities of data, when browsing. The biggest culprit is Auto Windows Update, you can be unaware that this can run in the background downlaoding updates for programs.
If Microsoft releases a service pack for windows or office, that can easily be more than your whole monthly allowance in a matter of minutes.
Theoretically they can charge you £3 for every MB you go over...thus a windows service pack could cost you up £200 to £300.
In the UK they dont often do this, they send polite text messages instead. However do this abroad and they will charge you every time.
Dont worry I wont tell

berrrtie said:
But I do believe i have put myself above the radar by DLing the latest episode of Heroes on Tuesday night!! (I was stopping in a hotel and I was bored!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YOU MUPPET!
Seriously, torrents are huge hogs of bandwidth so it's no wonder that O2 latched onto you. 350MB seeded back to 1:1 is 700MB total. Even if you got it from newsgroups it would still kill your bandwidth allocation. I know it's not what you want to hear but READ your terms and conditions in future! It's made quite plain that you're not to use the phone tethered to a laptop.
I've been using my mobile internet quite heavily and my account panel says I'm hardly using anything (maybe 5MB per day if I'm lucky). 230MB/month sounds like a reasonable level and thank you for confirming it Mark. Everyone knew it was *around* 200MB but no-one seemed to know exactly how much.

Mark A Cilenti said:
I work for o2...The official line is your not supposed to do it.
Fair usage policy is 230 MB. It has been set at an amount that a phone alone would never use in a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think that with todays phones (especially like the x1) they would up this... eg if I use Edge or HSDPA and I would like to download some of the RSS feeds i have and some of them have podcasts (Chinese for language learning) then I can use that allowance in a very very short time... all with just my phone... is the allowance a hang over from the wap type of phones...??

BBC had to stop iplayer going out over GPRS because of download quanitities.
o2 have another data bolt on called Web Max, and its £30 and I think the domestic UK limit on it is around 3GB, it was the for-runner to USB Mobile Broadband.

Data Bolt On Terms
* A maximum of one Data Bolt On can be added at any one time.
* The Web Bolt On allows you unlimited use of Telefónica O2 UK Limited's Edge/GPRS/ 3G networks (as applicable to your handset), for personal internet use via your mobile phone. All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes. You may not use your SIM Card:
o in, or connected to, any other device including modems;
o to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, enable Voice over Internet (Voip), P2P or file sharing; or
o in such a way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers.
Source : o2.co.uk

I am on the web bolt-on and I have used VoIP and streaming of video and music over the HSDPA network of O2 and I have not seen them charging me in my monthly bill.
I guess they have a way to detect if the device is being used as a modem but the question is how?! Perhaps the only curlprit here is the excessive usage that flagged it up on the system but the same usage could be done using the X1i with a torrent client on the actual device, no?

No such thing has unlimited...

altho o2 still states unlimited, 200mb has also been mentioned on the website..
I guess it just depends how lucky your are..

mkouk said:
I am on the web bolt-on and I have used VoIP and streaming of video and music over the HSDPA network of O2 and I have not seen them charging me in my monthly bill.
I guess they have a way to detect if the device is being used as a modem but the question is how?! Perhaps the only curlprit here is the excessive usage that flagged it up on the system but the same usage could be done using the X1i with a torrent client on the actual device, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whilst the easiest way will be useage, they can also spot which ports you are using, so stuff like BitTorrent should be detectable.

on o2 uk it says you must not connect it to a laptop

data sent received volumes

hi
as you can usually see sms volumes in and out or call durations called and received on standard mobile, can you view the current or total data volumes sent/received in the hd2...im sure my reasonable usage contract is going to be challenged this month having just got ny hd2 and cant stop playing with it...thanks

Try this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4980517&postcount=2
Edit:
The developer's website http://www.efficasoft.com/

thanks. ill give that a try

I had a reasonable usage data plan from o2 for 3 or 4 years now.
No problems there and I used all my HTC devices as internet dongle.
Boy do I abuse it however for me it is fair usage I use it fairly for my entertainment.

cool...i'll keep hammering my data usage then...resonably of course

do you keep your data connections open all the time...as im currently turning them off when im done via comms mgr? all my time/weather updates are set to manual

PTK100 said:
do you keep your data connections open all the time...as im currently turning them off when im done via comms mgr? all my time/weather updates are set to manual
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He no, can not be bothered. Auto logon to facebook, youtube, auto download for weather and internet time sync. QuickGPS is also set to download when needed.
All, except quickGPS, have one exception and that is if roaming do not do anything.
Their main problem is skype phone calls (not chat) and if you start downloading torrents or other big files.
As my previous job was mainly away from home for a week and back on weekend at those times I did even get some torrents going but only at night.

O2 are the best for "fair use" though. Most (NB not all!) of the others offer between 512MB and 1GB per month. O2 offer 3GB.
I do about 1-2GB a month, so that's perfect for me. Might start downloading Lost on my phone when it comes back on next month lol

johncmolyneux said:
O2 are the best for "fair use" though. Most (NB not all!) of the others offer between 512MB and 1GB per month. O2 offer 3GB.
I do about 1-2GB a month, so that's perfect for me. Might start downloading Lost on my phone when it comes back on next month lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no limit on o2?!
I have unlimited web bolt-on. Key word unlimited. However in small text there is a fare usage policy but I always ignore those as fair for one is not so far for other so you can argue that.

ruscik said:
There is no limit on o2?!
I have unlimited web bolt-on. Key word unlimited. However in small text there is a fare usage policy but I always ignore those as fair for one is not so far for other so you can argue that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's not unlimited. The fair usage policy is what stands. They basically say "it's unlimited if you don't go over a certain amount". You still have to be careful, but at 3gig, I don't think I'll be worrying about it much!

johncmolyneux said:
Yeah, it's not unlimited. The fair usage policy is what stands. They basically say "it's unlimited if you don't go over a certain amount". You still have to be careful, but at 3gig, I don't think I'll be worrying about it much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No word of 3gig so maybe we have not the same plan:
2.
Use of the O2 Web & Wi-Fi Bolt On is subject to an excessive usage policy as explained in point 3 below.
3.
The O2 Web & Wi-Fi Bolt On allows you unlimited use of O2 UK's Edge, GPRS, 3G and HSDPA networks, The Cloud's UK Wireless LAN network and the BT Openzone UK Wireless LAN network, for personal internet use and email. All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes.
You may not use your SIM Card in any device to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, enable P2P or file sharing or use them in such a way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers. If O2 reasonably suspect you are not acting in accordance with this policy O2 reserves the right to impose further charges or disconnect your tariff at any time, having attempted to contact you first.

The fair usage policy is in a seperate document to the t&c for your contract. It mentions fair usage, but then it's up to you to go look for what that means!
We may have different contracts anyway. Who knows!

johncmolyneux said:
The fair usage policy is in a seperate document to the t&c for your contract. It mentions fair usage, but then it's up to you to go look for what that means!
We may have different contracts anyway. Who knows!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if I do not have the same contract then cool if I do I have used over 3GB's in many months.

O2
Just had a quick check on O2 and their reasonable usage bolt-ons are:
Web - 200Mb
Web and Wifi - 3Gb

PTK100 said:
Just had a quick check on O2 and their reasonable usage bolt-ons are:
Web - 200Mb
Web and Wifi - 3Gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I must be on the hate, to kick out list