It’s not really much of a surprise, but enterprising Whirlpool forum posters have discovered that Optus recently updated their pricing document and when it comes to your iPhone data allowance to specify that the included data cannot be used for data tethering.
In other words, in order to use your iPhone as a 3G modem, you’re going to need to pony up some extra cash, at least if you’re on Optus. There’s no official word on what that pricing might be, but a post on the MacTalk forums (that has been removed) said that we’d be looking at $15 for 500MB. That’s still well and truly in rumour country, but if it is accurate, then the whole appeal of tethering your Optus iPhone just lost a whole heap of appeal – why spend $15 a month for 500MB when you can get double that for $20 a month on 3, including a 3G modem?
*UPDATE*: Aside from fixing my glorious 500GB typo, the guys at MacTalk just pinged me to say that their post was posted in error, which is why it was taken down. The Whirlpool discussion is still very much accurate though, which is the main point here anyway…
[Optus Pricing table (doc download) via Whirlpool Forums]
Kit Grose
June 16, 2009 at 10:39 PM
It’s not like anyone could come anywhere near the download limit they’ve been given on Optus’ terrible 3G network.
Report Permalinkguest123
June 17, 2009 at 1:19 AM
go to http://www.iphoneinaustralia.com/ and it has photos that someone has taken of an optus document, proving this to be correct
Report PermalinkJustin Moss
June 17, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Any carrier that tries to DOUBLE CHARGE for data needs to have some sort of class action brought against them.
I pay for 1GB, it should matter how I access that data – 1GB of data is 1GB of data, no matter how it’s used.
Report PermalinkCral
June 17, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Surely the only tethering they are against is the free WiFi tethered.
Report PermalinkData is data on a 3g plan
Andrew Dawes
June 18, 2009 at 6:33 AM
been through my contract – it only talks about ‘browsing the web from your mobile’ it does not mention tethering or the viewing the web content on your mobile. This is unbelievable and the TIO will be getting a call if Optus do not provide me with tethering under my existing allowance.
Report PermalinkGraham Weldon
June 18, 2009 at 4:02 PM
http://grahamweldon.com/blog/iphone-30-tethering-with-optus-update
If you’re on optus, you can enable tethering with this bundle. It doesn’t require jailbreaking, and you won’t need to pay any extra to Optus either.
Report PermalinkPete
June 18, 2009 at 10:47 PM
As soon as my contract is over, as far as Optus is concerned, I’m a dot. I’m running so far away from them, they’re never going to see my business again. Absolutely unconscionable.
Report PermalinkHappy three iPhone user
June 19, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I’m a satisfied Three iPhone user, got 3.0 firmware last night, followed very simple instructions here: http://help.benm.at/mms.php (has Optus option too). Now I have tethering via USB & Bluetooth to both Mac and Vista, it all worked well first time. Bloody amazing.
Report PermalinkHappy three iPhone user
June 19, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Oops, URL in last post should have been http://help.benm.at/help.php
Report Permalinkpushka
June 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I think that when all these iPhone contracts end, optus going to lose a lot of customers, and arn’t going to get as many iPhone3GS customers..
Why should people pay for… nothing?
And also, there are methods of hacking the iPhone system so that you can access tethering for free
(though I am not going to do anything unlawful – I’ll just suffer)
over 24 months, a plan could be worth $2000 for one user, but they are going to risk customers of this value for $240 ?
I am definitely not going to pay $9.99 for tethering and definitely moving companies.. maybe 3…
Report PermalinkDavid Skinner
July 9, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Hi all,
I agree with all those who think Optus is ripping people off. Help stop companies doing things like this by posting your comments on my facebook page “Business Reviews”. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Business-Reviews/102989372982
Cheers,
Report PermalinkDave
Vincent
August 21, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I have jailbroken my PC and have downloaded PDAnet and it works like a charm.. once off payment for my 2gb plan! totally worth it
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