Optus silent on iPhone 'tethering' charge
Optus has refused to confirm or deny whether it will charge separately for data transmitted over an iPhone when it is used as a modem, but could be set to launch a $19 per month plan for an unspecified iPhone model.
The plan by Optus to treat data allowances where the device has been used as a modem were revealed in a pricing update it made on 9 June, the same day Apple announced its new iPhone and the OS 3.0 update. "Tethering" allows an iPhone to be used similarly to a USB modem, and according to Optus' new schedule, could well attract an additional charge if it used in such a way.
A spokesperson for the telco would neither confirm nor deny whether it will charge extra for its use in this way, despite the updated pricing schedule it has published on its mobile device pricing page.
"[We have] no comment on iPhone pricing or tethering. We confirmed on the 9th [of June] we would be offering tethering, with no further detail," a spokesperson told ZDNet.com.au in an email.
On Monday, users of Internet Service Provider forum Whirlpool posted details of Optus' mobile pricing plans under its Digital Mobile Service Standard Pricing Table — Section 1 (General Information and Call Charges).
The references to tethering related to the full range of Optus' capped and timeless plans, and stated that data allowances on each are "not available when the iPhone is used as a tethered modem".
On page 109 of the new schedule, Optus went into some detail about the restrictions on data usage when the iPhone is used as a modem. Data allowances under a tethered iPhone cannot be used for voice calls, voice mail, international SMS, content purchases, VPN data usage and data used while roaming internationally, amongst others.
The page also shows that Optus may have plans to launch an unspecified iPhone model, under a two-year contract, for $19 per month, which includes $14 call and text credits and 100MB data allowance.
Meanwhile, Apple has confirmed to ZDNet.com.au's sister site CNet.com.au that the OS 3.0 update will be available from 18 June 2009 — one day later than previously expected.