Optus silent on iPhone 'tethering' charge

By Liam Tung, ZDNet.com.au

16 June 2009 05:28 PM

Tags: iphone, modem, optus, tether, allowance, price, charge, plan

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.

(Optus Melbourne — Apple iPhone Queue image by avlxyz, CC2.0)

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.

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Talkback 41 comments

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Dates? Ben Grubb -- 16/06/09

"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 July 2009 -- one day later than previously expected."

I do believe it's June, not July.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/

Correction Liam Tung -- 17/06/09 (in reply to #320143694)

Thanks, Ben. The date has been corrected.

Tethering? Anonymous -- 17/06/09

I don't quite understand. What impact does this have for the consumer?

Tethering? Anonymous -- 17/06/09 (in reply to #320143831)

Tethering means that you use the phone as a mobile broadband device, exactly the same way as if you were using one of those USB data modems.
It means that if you have a laptop, netbook, whatever that isnt connected to the internet. You can use the iphone to connect. The stupid thing is that while it costs them the same no matter what we do (data through the network is still data through the network, we will just use it quicker) it still costs them the same.

Fair enough if they dont want us using skype on it to get around there phone charges.

Thethering Anonymous -- 17/06/09 (in reply to #320143851)

Thing that stings for iPhone users is if you use internet connection sharing on a windows mobile phone (been available for a long time on those devices), there are no hidden fees.

And it's great as you connect your notebook via bluetooth - no additional cables. Optus are shooting themselves in the foot here - hmm use this "new" feature on the iphone and we will charge you, use the same feature on another phone and we don't charge you!

Tethering Jason Duffy -- 17/06/09 (in reply to #320143864)

Technically, i dont see how they can identify data from the phone directly as opposed to data through tethering. I've been tethering for months with my USB connected iphone using jailbreak and PDANet - Optus isn't aware of that - i have incurred no extra fees.
The date of 17th (tonight in Australia i guess) is still correct - there's no mention of the 18th at Apple.com/

Tethering Anonymous -- 18/06/09 (in reply to #320143864)

One more good reason not to go with Optus

re Tethering Anonymous -- 27/06/09 (in reply to #320144082)

Why would you go with Optus, full stop. Their service is crap..........and the only reason why most people do, is because they are cheap. But that is what you get and should expect, when you pay less

ha Anonymous -- 27/06/09 (in reply to #320145874)

whatever telstra fanboy shareholders, you fool no one!

re ha Anonymous -- 28/06/09 (in reply to #320145886)

Whatever Jason, and you do fool some !

@re ha Anonymous -- 28/06/09 (in reply to #320146038)

whatever mikey - $3.28 still below where they were in 1997!

@@re ha Anonymous -- 28/06/09 (in reply to #320146044)

One thing is for sure though Jason, they could never get as low as your attitude towards Telstra shareholders ! I just can't see why it turns you on to see their price go down ! I am only one of many many Telstra shareholders, and I have always done and am still doing quite well out of them, having paid far less than you obviously imagine. No matter which way you look at it, their fully franked dividends are still a lot better than you can hope to get from todays money market. I think it is because you don't own Telstra shares, you are just envious of others that do. Which is not nice !!!

@@@re ha Anonymous -- 28/06/09 (in reply to #320146086)

jason ok, whatever? but really that is one of the most ridiculous comments i have seen.

yes envious! we all wish we bought telstra shares at $4, $5 or $8 now that they are worth $3.28, less than they were in 1997 at the ipo. i know i'm kicking myself for missing out.

i don't hate telstra shareholders, i just hate the way they/you won't admit you got burned and forever make up bs stories to hide you own foolishness. admit it, you got burned, because you know its true and then we can all get on with it. your not just lying to us, your lying to yourself and you know it.

no good trying to blame guys like me for showing your bs for what it is ...bs.

Telstra shares Anonymous -- 28/06/09 (in reply to #320146110)

If he bought his Telstra shares in the last 6 weeks he'd proly be making money, because they were trading at sub $3.00. But if he bought them before this 6 week period, he would be losing. Anonimous is right, they really are less than they were in 1997 and anytime until this fall to under $3.00. Perhaps he bought more and averaged them, but is still likely in the red, me tinks. No big deal and there's no need for him to be embarased if he's down a bit, everyones down a bit at the moment. Just be patient, they will proly pick up again.

re Telstra shares Anonymous -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146122)

Well at last someone has got it right, by correctly not assuming what I paid for my Telstra shares. I certainly did not pay $4, $5 or $8. What gets me however, is the constant glee that Jason seems to derive from seeing the Telstra share price drop, and I mainly react adversely to his comments because of the huge number of people that actually did pay the prices he so regularly posts. I have had no regrets whatsoever, in my Telstra trades, and will continue to do so, as and when the opportunity arises. Unfortunately those that paid high prices for them some time back, are unable to do so, and I am sure they do not wish to be constantly reminded of it.

Telstra shares Jason -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146329)

Sydney Mike, how old are you, seriously? You are still carrying on with this Jason ***t. OMG, rofl.

You know the irony in all this Mike? The second comment titled Telstra shares, the one you agreed with and said there, take that Jason, "was actually from me"! I even mispelled words and wrote proly to hide my identity.

So I was sort of sticking up for you.

For ***k sake, wakey wakey, not everyone who disagrees with you is Jason. In fact the majority aren't!

Gee I wonder if I bought some Telstra shares myself, as I suggested you do, once they went under 3 bucks????

re Telstra shares Mike -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146390)

Well there you go, but who can really tell who is who, when "anonymous" is the favoured name given to who sent what to to who etc.,. etc.,.

So if it will help you feel better, I am 6 years old, and only send comments in to stir you up, which obviously works. Have a nice day.

@re Telstra shares Jason -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146426)

Yes the stirring obviously works (both ways) and yes, even more obviously, "you are definitely 6 years old"!

At least you admit it. Have a nice day (at kindy)!

@@re Telstra shares Anonymous -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146442)

Right on cue with typical and expected reply. Nothing changes.

@@@re Telstra shares Agreeable Jason -- 29/06/09 (in reply to #320146509)

Gee you just can't be pleased can you Mike? All I did was agree with everything you said, about stirring and your age.

Let's not forget too, it was you who was wrongly dissing me and giving me sh** for something I didn't do. I even tried to stick up for you.

So I'm not starting anything. But.......

re @@@re Telstra shares Disagreeable Mike -- 30/06/09 (in reply to #320146521)

My kindy teacher is obviously giving me the wrong advice on how to read and understand your comments ! My broker however thinks that I am a child genius at such a tender age, following tidy profits made on recent trades, which as it happens, also included the dreaded T !

ha again Anonymous -- 30/06/09 (in reply to #320146568)

ha stupid telstra shareholder trying to justify his own stupidity. tidy profit my ar** you lying w-nker.

why would an expert like you need a broker. you are so fos.

now call me jason again, w-nker

Disagreeable Mike says it all Jason -- 30/06/09 (in reply to #320146604)

Whatever Mike.

Thanks for keeping the dream alive Anonymous.

Although in saying that, I only know one anti-Telstra campaigner that would try to sound like me, to make his old mate Mike and me fight!

@disagreeable Anonymous -- 30/06/09 (in reply to #320146641)

do you think?

re ha again Anonymous -- 01/07/09 (in reply to #320146604)

If he's stupid, what does that make you, with that nonsensical comment. I have a friend who is a psychiatrist, who is prepared to offer you a free assessment and some ongoing counseling. It might do you well to accept the offer, you boof headed prat !

mike and his shrink Anonymous -- 01/07/09 (in reply to #320146794)

i bet you have a friend who is a shrink tard. with those delusion of telstra share wealth you need all the help you can get, c**khead.

re mike and his shrink Anonymous -- 01/07/09 (in reply to #320146833)

I have a friend who is a psychiatrist, and is prepared to offer you a free assessment and some ongoing counseling. It might do you some good, boofhead !

deja vu Anonymous -- 01/07/09 (in reply to #320146855)

didn't you already say that mike?

seems your treatment isn't workin and the shrink aint earning his dosh.

your gettin ripped off, like with those telstra shares, c**khead.

@deja vu Happy & Optimistic Mike -- 02/07/09 (in reply to #320146872)

I am sorry to disappoint you Jason, but my analyst has given me the all clear, plus ALL of my share transactions of late are doing extremely well. Trouble with you is, you don't own any sharesthat are good performers or bad and so you hope to hell that those of us that do, are not building the wealth, that you are so obviously missing out on. That is a sad and sorry state of affairs. Cest la Vie boofhead !!!

Umm anon? Jason -- 02/07/09 (in reply to #320147150)

I assume the ha Jason etc, is in reference to Sydney Mike's, once again Sherlock Holmes like, intelligence and perception, roflmfao? Rather than a go at me anonymous?

@got me again, ha Anonymous -- 02/07/09 (in reply to #320147150)

I think that the only thing you have a share in, is a pizza now and again. No wonder he refers to you as a boofhead.

cs Anonymous -- 03/07/09 (in reply to #320147396)

c**khead shareholder.

@ cs Anonymous -- 05/07/09 (in reply to #320147689)

You sound like a dead set moron, with a grudge against anyone that happens to be a Telstra shareholder. Well mate, I am a very happy Telstra shareholder, no matter whether they go up or down, as the dividends are still well ahead of market performance from a hell of a lot of other companies. I suggest you get a life, boofhead !!!

Sydney ** dumb*k Sydney Mike -- 06/07/09 (in reply to #320147715)

Gee, I really do hope that makes you feel good, Jason. You really must have put a lot of thought into it.

Live by the sword Jason -- 06/07/09 (in reply to #320147772)

From above - Just remember, Sydney **** it was your empty head and big mouth combo, which wrongly and for no rational reason, kept bringing my name into the conversation (as above). I was patient, didn't react, let it slide and even tried to go into bat for you.

You choose to live by the sword Sydney Mike and I see you're still carrying on with anon, so...

report ha Anonymous -- 06/07/09 (in reply to #320147715)

ha, you call people f..kwit, boofhead but reported him doin it to you, mike?

re report ha Anonymous -- 06/07/09 (in reply to #320147773)

If that is all you read into it, then Cest la Vie !!!

re report ha Anonymous -- 07/07/09 (in reply to #320147773)

So which boofhead are you ?

easy Anonymous -- 07/07/09 (in reply to #320147964)

boof head, sydney **** of course

re easy Anonymous -- 08/07/09 (in reply to #320147970)

Well, it is sometimes a little harder to recognise which alias you are using Jason, cos you use that many. Suffice to say that you are glued to your PC as usual, just waiting for an opportunity to submit more of your hatred and drivel upon any one that happens to disagree with your distasteful opinions. Have a nice day, boofhead. What goes around comes around, and there is no shadow of doubt, that you'll get yours eventually.

Why is the iPhone different Anonymous -- 17/06/09

I use my Nokia E71 as a tethered modem all the time, why would the iPhone be any different? Data is data, they shouldn't be allowed to specify the way you use it if you pay for it.