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November 2, 2009

Orange to reconsider 750MB iPhone limit

Twitter fury forces Orange rethink

Lexton Snol

New UK Apple iPhone carrier Orange may reconsider its 750MB data download limit in the wake of much criticism for its description of so-called "unlimited" mobile internet browsing and wi-fi.

As reported earlier the new Apple iPhone carrier counts just 750MB in data downloads as "unlimited", where current exclusive iPhone carrier O2 stipulates no actual download limit.

However, according to BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, Orange may backtrack on the "unlimited" limit, although he later stated that it took Orange five hours to clarify its usage policy.

Orange logo iPhone

In his popular Twitter feed Cellan-Jones stated: "Orange have come back - 750mb limit for 3g, separate 750mb for BT Openzone wifi(not yr own). But say may review the policy after 'concern'".

Orange places the wi-fi limit only on data downloaded from BT Openzone, not on data downloaded on other networks.

Orange employee and Twitter user @ConorfromOrange confirmed that "for our new iPhone offers we are using a fair usage policy of 750MB for Mobile data, & 750MB for free Wi-Fi access with our Wi-Fi partner", although he didn't mention that the company might up the fair usage limit.

Orange will likely escape censor on its limit as, according to Cult of Mac, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority said in a ruling earlier this year that an ad for a BlackBerry deal with "unlimited" data that was actually limited to 250MB/month was not in breach of its codes.

Apple iPhone 3GS review

Many potential Orange iPhone customers have been complaining about the 750MB limit.

On Twitter @Ryowxyz moaned: "So.. its unlimited, until you hit 750MB... than you cant use it anymore... I'm pretty sure thats very LIMITED...".

@Domoconnor tweeted: "If unlimited means 750mb/month I'd hate to see what limited is like".

@robpickup joined in: "Orange. iPhone. 'Unlimited' data. What a load of old pony. 750MB is nothing these days."

@dacary: "Not impressed by Orange's iPhone offering. 750Mb data cap access 3G and Wi-Fi! I hope Vodafone's deal is better."

Twitter user @MattHogan cried out against Orange's iPhone bias, as his Orange HTC Hero smartphone has an even smaller 500MB "unlimited" limit.

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Comments

What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 1000 characters.

Comments received

Jenks said on Monday, 02 November 2009

How can they get away with this? And I thought O2 was bad!

HarryF said on Monday, 02 November 2009

Add your comments. Make Orange rethink.

steve said on Monday, 02 November 2009

unlimited should mean unlimited if there is a limit it should be clearly stated. think someone should send UK's Advertising Standards Authority a dictionary

Mat Bailie said on Monday, 02 November 2009

The ASA don't just need a dictionary, but also Ears and a Backbone. A second braincell couldn't hurt either.

Ed Grefer said on Monday, 02 November 2009

But 750MB is surely more than anyone would need from a mobile!

Alan said on Monday, 02 November 2009

No real surprise - Orange also think 50mb is unlimited on their PAYG handsets...

vainparasite said on Tuesday, 03 November 2009

unlimited should mean unlimited. Its a complete rip off as usual. British consumers lose out again. I for one will NOT get the orange iphone as planned if this limit is upheld, i was just waiting for the 1st reviews on if they had stuffed the phone up with all their useless usual clutter that orange normaly stifle their phones with. Get a grip orange O2 is looking better all the time.

r4 said on Wednesday, 04 November 2009

Doubt the ASA will uphold the use of 'unlimited' given the tech savvy users which purchase iPhones - it is obvious that iPhone users will be consuming more bandwidth than normal phones. 750 is nothing. watch a few things on iplayer? or stream some music.

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