Internet Browsing, GPRS & HSDPA

[Mobli]

So, renewed my O2 tariff/phone last w/end and opted for 200 additional anytime minutes as my free bolt-on.

However, have been browsing the new edition of the O2 Blue magazine and noticed that one of the options for free bolt-ons is unlimited internet browsing on your handset.

At renewal, I don't recall being offered this option so am thinking of giving O2 a call to see if they can switch my free bolt-on to this one as I would like to use my Orbit II with push email which I understand uses GPRS.

Before doing so, wanted to clarify something.

Am I right in thinking that internet browsing on your handset is also done via GPRS? If so, using push email should fall under the free internet browsing bolt-on.

Also, am I right in thinking GPRS is also known as 3G and HSDPA is 3.5G and it is these networks which handle any data consumed - internet browsing, email downloads etc.

If so, regardless of whether my handset is connecting to GPRS or HSDPA, if I have the free internet browsing bolt-on, I should not incur any additional charges.

Sorry for the noddy questions, but I have been out of the IT game for a few years and am just refreshing my knowledge.

[Graffen]

Any data connection will come out of your internet allowance. Although o2 speak of "unlimited" internet, they have a fair usage cap of 200 meg per month. I did read somewhere that they were looking at changing that limit but can't remember where exactly.

GPRS is also known as 2G / 2.5G, 3G is also know as UMTS and HSDPA is 3.5G. O2 also have EDGE connections around the country. EDGE is slightly faster than GPRS but alot slower than 3G. All of these connections can handle both voice + data allbeit at various speeds.

In short, yes, regardless of what connection you use, if you have the internet bolt on then it shouldn't cost you anything.

[Mobli]

Originally Posted by Graffen

Any data connection will come out of your internet allowance. Although o2 speak of "unlimited" internet, they have a fair usage cap of 200 meg per month. I did read somewhere that they were looking at changing that limit but can't remember where exactly.

GPRS is also known as 2G / 2.5G, 3G is also know as UMTS and HSDPA is 3.5G. O2 also have EDGE connections around the country. EDGE is slightly faster than GPRS but alot slower than 3G. All of these connections can handle both voice + data allbeit at various speeds.

In short, yes, regardless of what connection you use, if you have the internet bolt on then it shouldn't cost you anything.

Perfect, thanks for the clarification - will call them this afternoon.

[div]

I added the web bolt on to my £30 a month online tariff instead on free 02 calls - I understood that ALL data originating from the handset was free (not if you use it as a modem though) - i.e. no limits at all.

I stand to be corrected but that was my impression of o2 new tariff - and it you didn't opt for the web bolt on - you would pay no more than £1 a day.

Div

[div]

Do you have to get 02 to enable HSDPA ?

And are there any problems or concerns with them doing this?

Thanks

DiV

[Graffen]

Looks like my information was a little out of date. Looking through the T&Cs it now seems that it is "unlimited" unless O2 decide otherwise (highlighted in bold)

Taken from: Tariffs and Bolt Ons ™ - Terms & Conditions - O2

Originally Posted by O2 Website

O2 Web Bolt On terms and conditions

1. The monthly subscription package for the O2 Web Bolt On tariff can only be added to a business voice tariff and allows you unlimited use of O2’s 3G/GPRS Mobile Data Services for Permitted Use only.
2. Permitted Uses of O2 Web Bolt On are use of your SIM Card within a handheld mobile device for the purposes of Internet Browsing and email (excluding BlackBerry® email) only.
3. Any other use of the O2 Web Bolt On tariff will not be a Permitted Use, including but not limited to:
4. Use of the O2 Web Bolt On tariff with
   • Data Cards or Modems;
   • Instant Messaging,
   • IP Telephony,
   • Point 2 Point file sharing and file transfer,
   • VoIP (e.g. Skype™),
   • Video and TV streaming,
   • Slingboxes; and
   • Use in conjunction with routers.
5. O2 reserves the right to suggest an upgrade to the O2 Web Max tariff or to withdraw the O2 Web Bolt On tariff from you at any time if O2 reasonably suspects you of using the service for uses other than the Permitted Uses or abuse of the service, including using an a typical volume of data as compared to normal users of the O2 Web Bolt On tariff, which will normally be less than 200MB of usage within a one month bill cycle (termed “fair usage”).
6. O2 will contact you before O2 Web Bolt On is withdrawn or upgraded. If for any reason contact is not possible then O2 may temporarily bar the service until contact can be made. In the event that O2 withdraws the O2 Web Bolt On tariff, O2 is not obliged to offer any alternative replacement service. If O2 determines that you may upgrade to an alternative tariff which is more appropriate for your requirements then, if you consent, O2 will transfer you to the alternative service as soon as is reasonably practicable after you advise O2 that this is what you wish to do.
7. In these terms the expression “you” shall mean the Customer, and your shall be interpreted accordingly.

[jpfrost]

Yes, I too have the same question..this is my first 3G handset but spb GPRS Monitor always seem to report a speed of 35Kbits/s regardless of what connection I have...

The normal icon i see is a 'G' or 'E', occasionally an 'H' (which, as I understand it should be much faster - still see no difference), and I have yet to see a '3G' icon - is that just because of coverage area? I'm dying to try a video call! Do O2 need to activate any of this?

Thanks.

[trumpton]

Firstly, if your SIM is quite old I'd suggest checking its a 3G SIM you have. It should say 3G somewhere just after the SIM number printed on it. If its not a 3G SIM you should be able to call O2 and get them to send you a free one.

Speed wise, O2 will tend to give consumer accounts the slightly slower version of 3G (128 Kbps) and business accounts the faster version of 3G (384 Kbps).

If your have the faster 3G already enabled then you automatically get HSDPA speeds as well (if you are in a HSDPA area of course). If you have the slower 3G enabled you will only get 3G speeds (even though your device might show a 'H' symbol).

You can call O2 and ask them to enable the faster 3G on your account, but people tend to have different success stories trying that.

[div]

That might explain it - I have just driven into the city to see if I could get a faster connection ( I love in rural Devon, went into Exeter) and nothing changed. Despite checking that it was a 3G enabled area - that is great, fancy 02 not telling me the sim card (4 years old) would need changing.

DiV

[cyclist]

Originally Posted by div

Do you have to get 02 to enable HSDPA ?

No. You have to use a network with HSDPA coverage. I get HSDPA on T Mobile, in some places.