Unlimited Web Bolt On

[Dead-metal]

I've just got this from O2 and I wondered how much data counts as "unlimited"?

In one week I've used 5 MB but I haven't continuously streamed, just browsed the web.

Any ideas anyone?

[snu]

The Web Bolt On allows you unlimited use of O2 UK’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:
in, or connected to, any other device including modems;
to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, enable Voice over Internet (Voip), P2P or file sharing; or
in such a way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers.
If O2 reasonably suspectsyou are not acting in accordance with this policy O2 reserves the right to impose further charges, impose network protection controls which may reduce your speed of transmission, remove the Web Bolt On from your account or disconnect your tariff at any time, having attempted to contact you first.

[hockeyshooter]

Is it possible to add the web bolt-on to a contract bought from other than the O2 online shop - specifically from Dabs Mobile? They seem to do some great discounts on line rental but don't appear to offer any of the bolt-ons.

[snu]

Should be, but you won't be entitled to the free bolt-on on contracts over £35 (you'll have to pay £7.50)

[hockeyshooter]

I was expecting that, though. But there's a catch with the Dabs offers (there would be) in that you are obliged to take out insurance at an extra £5.99 a month.

[snu]

Pretty standard with a lot of cashback deals etc... It's free for the first month or so, so you can always cancel it immediately...

[hockeyshooter]

What exactly can you do with "Unlimited Web Bolt On"? Is it restricted to web browsing, or can you send/retrieve email too? Are only certain ports open and/or protocols blocked?

[pctech]

Think you can use for e-mail provided its via your mobile phone, you cannot use in a laptop.

Terms are here http://www.o2.co.uk/termsconditions/tariffsandboltons0153

[hockeyshooter]

I notice that one of their terms and conditions pages (http://www.o2.co.uk/termsconditions/tariffsandboltons0153) states:

"O2 Web Bolt Ons apply to GPRS WAP and/or i-mode but not Circuit Switched WAP. You must have a GPRS handset and your SIM must be GPRS enabled in order to use the O2 Web Bolt On."

Which means what, exactly? Its limited to GPRS? No 3G? No HSDPA (handset permitting of course)? GPRS is pretty darn slow.

[hockeyshooter]

Yes, I'd read the "no laptops" comment, although quite how they'd know how you were using it, I'm not sure. I'm still have about 12 more months of a Vodafone USB data contract, so I'd continue to use that with my laptop anyway, but I'm interested in sending geotagged images from an N95 and want to be certain that doing so would be included.

[DaveC]

I notice that one of their terms and conditions pages (http://www.o2.co.uk/termsconditions/tariffsandboltons0153) states:

"O2 Web Bolt Ons apply to GPRS WAP and/or i-mode but not Circuit Switched WAP. You must have a GPRS handset and your SIM must be GPRS enabled in order to use the O2 Web Bolt On."

Which means what, exactly? Its limited to GPRS? No 3G? No HSDPA (handset permitting of course)? GPRS is pretty darn slow.

Ah - someone who cannot remember the days of dial up wap :glasses: Circuit Switched is just that - you dialed a number to get a data connection.

GPRS applies to 2.5G 3G Edge and HSDPA

[pctech]

Ah - someone who cannot remember the days of dial up wap :glasses: Circuit Switched is just that - you dialed a number to get a data connection.

GPRS applies to 2.5G 3G Edge and HSDPA
Am surprised O2 still bothers with a circuit switched data service, bet the modem rack does not see much action these days.

[Planner]

its available, same as it is with any carrier, its not something that can really be stopped as its just a phone number continuously used...

[pctech]

was just commenting that as most phones support GPRS as a minimum these days that the CSD modems would not be used much.

[Planner]

I think its just there as a left over.. lets face it, 14.4kb isnt much fun,...

[pctech]

I think its just there as a left over.. lets face it, 14.4kb isnt much fun,...
Nope, fixed dial-up with Virgin net at a whopping 33.6 wasn't that much better. :D

[hockeyshooter]

Ah - someone who cannot remember the days of dial up wap :glasses:

Hey, I'm so old I can remember ASR 33 teletype terminals (http://www.pdp8.net/asr33/asr33.shtml) and 300 baud modems!

Chris.

[sputnike]

The unlimited web bolt on has a fair usage policy of 200mb. No one's gonna chase you up if you go over it a little, but if you start going over it by hundreds of megabytes then they may call you to arrange something a little more suited.

[cj1207]

The unlimited web bolt on has a fair usage policy of 200mb. No one's gonna chase you up if you go over it a little, but if you start going over it by hundreds of megabytes then they may call you to arrange something a little more suited.

Hey,

Look, I don't mean to be rude, but you really need to stop telling people that. You're giving out completely inaccurate information.

The Web Bolt-On is UNLIMITED. No Fair usage Policy, just the terms already quoted above in this thread.

Please check YC to refamiliarise yourself with this product, next time you're in work.

[Planner]

I concur with cj1207.. it is UNLIMITED providing you follow the rules....

oooh... I used to use those teletypes in the Navy!!!

[pctech]

I only remember as far back as 14.4 modems, I've had a charmed life obviously.

Just out of interest, is the use of IPlayer tolerated on the mobile broadband product (as I'm thinking of getting a laptop and data card) or is it likely to set off bandwidth abuse alarms in the O2 NOC?

[hockeyshooter]

I would hope that for USB data products, all protocols are unblocked (except perhaps VoIP). Must admit, though, that I haven't tried it on my laptop/Vodafone data account...

[Planner]

cj will probably know better, but my understanding is that the dongle/datacard options can be used for any PC use.

[pctech]

would be nice to get outside on my lunchbreaks and still surf the web, respond to stuff on the forum/watch stuff on IPlayer (though cant be bothered with the BBC apart from the Apprentice and from next year F1!)

[Planner]

you have gone down in my estimation. and its not for formula 1

[pctech]

Oh you mean watching the Apprentice on iPlayer?

Well sometimes you have to watch some chewing gum for the brain and that is more intelligent than most (slightly)

In the same way as I dont watch arthouse type films because you have to think too much.

[cj1207]

cj will probably know better, but my understanding is that the dongle/datacard options can be used for any PC use.

Yup, except VoIP, torrents etc, and 'continuous streaming' (See below). To be honest, that term is simply there so that O2 can protect themselves from people that take the utter piss out of it. Same for Web-Max.

BBC iPlayer, however doesn't use Port 80, or 8080, as far as I know, so it's possible that it will be blocked. With that said, AFAIK, we're still not actively blocking ports (other than VoIP) or doing any packet sniffing/filtering to detect customers that are ripping the proverbial.

So, with that in mind, use it, and see what happens. You won't be charged, or disconnected, without first being forewarned.


Web Bolt-On is likely to attract more attention from the network protection team, due to it being FOC/£7.50 and designed for relatively 'light' use.


11. O2 Mobile Broadband monthly allowance includes:

a) 3GB data via use of O2 UK’s Edge/GPRS/3G/HSDPA networks: and

b) unlimited Wi-Fi via The Cloud’s UK Wireless LAN network, (subject to excessive usage policy) for personal internet use via your modem or data card. Applies to use in the UK only. All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes.

You may not use your SIM Card:

in, or connected to, any other device excluding modems/data cards;
to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, enable Voice over Internet (Voip), P2P or file sharing; or
in such a way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers or Cloud customers.

[pctech]

Cheers CJ

This forum has gone down in my estimation, specifically, mods editing out my comments without explanation so I bit thee all farewell

[DarthDarko]

Cheers CJ

This forum has gone down in my estimation, specifically, mods editing out my comments without explanation so I bit thee all farewell

Eh???? thats crazy talk.....

[pav]

Cheers CJ

This forum has gone down in my estimation, specifically, mods editing out my comments without explanation so I bit thee all farewell

I normally try to put a reason why the post is edited, on this ocasion I forgot to put the reason in for the edit.

[DonDino]

If O2 reasonably suspectsyou are not acting in accordance with this policy O2 reserves the right to impose further charges, impose network protection controls which may reduce your speed of transmission, remove the Web Bolt On from your account or disconnect your tariff at any time, having attempted to contact you first.


I think that's only there for people who really overdo it, as was mentioned before in this thread.
I am streaming internet radio over O2 3G, and they not only suspect it, they know it as I've told them when I emailed them to ask them to fix the 95% of Nokia Internet Radio stations that don't work. They were helpful, mentioned they are having some problems with streaming that affect some customers, and they are trying to fix it!

[hip59]

" This forum has gone down in my estimation, specifically, mods editing out my comments"

Join the club its happened to me, some start a new Thread and them close it down to stop others from posting comments on the item! an examlpe is blackman who has issued an item about the new skpe phone and then has closed the item dont so no one can express a point of view. hes done the same with the item about " Palm Centro On Way To Europe " and others.

I thought the forum was to allow debate, for some it apperas to be on their terms.

[v0n]

I suppose Skype on mobile would be a no-no then (not sure if the mobile version of it can be classed as VoIP or if it use P2P like PC version)?