Orange dismisses iPhone “unlimited” data criticism

Limited unlimited?

Why cant ISP's understand and use plain English? Unlimited should mean exactly that, any limit imposed makes the word unlimited a lie!

Just another example of a rip-off culture trying to persuade us that we are getting more than we are....

By kevinius on 3 Nov 2009

ASA

What is the ASA's policy on the definition of "unlimited"? If this Orange advertising is within their guidelines I will literally explode with anger, then campaign to get the ASA abolished.

By gavmeister on 3 Nov 2009

The service *is* unlimited. If you use more than 750mb of data the service will not stop working, they'll just charge you for it.

That's what they (all) mean. We interpret the statement as data usage will not be charged.

So, in effect, they're using precisely the correct syntax. Of course, that they intend to mislead with that is also true.

Anyway, they've lost me as a customer.

By bubbles16 on 3 Nov 2009

This is one of the reasons I went with Three for mobile broadband. Other providers such as O2, Vodaphone and Orange were advertising "Unlimited" deals, which once you read the small print often worked out at as little as 2GB/month. Three advertised 5GB for £15/month, which was far more honest.

I understand that in some ways it is quite difficult and in some cases unfair to police internet download usage - why should someone who only uses the internet for basic email and web surfing pay as much as someone who has BitTorrent on 24/7?

At the same time though, it's time that OFCOM got their finger out and finally banned these "fair use" clauses, that should really be spelt out as part of the offer. People should not have to wade through small print to find out something so basic about the service they're buying into.

By piphil on 3 Nov 2009

Unlimited Payments

I've offered Orange unlimited payments from me to them on a monthly basis. Well... Up to £15 per month... But they didn't bite......

By CraigieDD on 3 Nov 2009

Unlimitied definition is not limited or restricted; infinite

The definition unlimited by http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/unlimited?vie
w=uk


• adjective not limited or restricted; infinite.

By PLF_skydiver on 3 Nov 2009

ASA definition

The ASA definition of unlimited is loose. I suspect that they will take no issue with Orange since the company can demonstrate that most users don't touch the limit. Here is their response on two separate complaints against Vodafone:

http://www.asab.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF
_ADJ_45008.htm
http://www.asab.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF
_ADJ_44522.htm

750 MB is more than most folk will use on their mobile phones alone. The reason for these fair usage limits is to prevent you tethering and simply ignoring mobile broadband.

Personally, I think it is outrageous to advertise it as unlimited when limits do apply.

It's not even a case of stretching semantics. When the term unlimited browsing is written alongside your minutes and texts in your monthly tarrif - if there is a limit on free browsing it is both misleading and false.

By deekarma on 3 Nov 2009

Angry Orange Customer

Listen here Orange! It doesnt matter if you've found 750MB to be 'ample' or not, you have no right to call it UNLIMITED if it is not!

By pveater on 3 Nov 2009

orange as a Foreign Language

We have to accept that we are talking about orange here. Their use of English is, well limited and normally inverse to that applied by normal people. Uncapped means capped, unlimited means very limited, no change means adversely altered. I could list other examples, but as a general rule they cannot be trusted. If one of their false statements is challenged with hard proof they will simply ignore you.

By Jonesr18 on 3 Nov 2009

You know where to voice your complaints...

Here's where to complain.

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/complain
ts_form/

By CraigieDD on 3 Nov 2009

Do you know what, o2 class 'unlimited' as JUST 200MB.

I will be signing the above link by CraigieDD.

Thanks for posting it.

By aron311 on 3 Nov 2009

Some limit is necessary

Because wireless networks are shared there has to be some limit. On a DSL network, the supplier can increase their backhaul to meet the needs of very high data usage users. On a wireless network there is a limited, shared capacity at the front end and backhaul makes no difference.
What is needed is clearer wording and terms, but a limit is still necessary to provide decent performance for all.

By milliganp on 3 Nov 2009

who said it wasn't?

Sorry milliganp, or "corporate troll" as I will now call you, who said a limit wasn't necessary? We are complaining about something being advertised as unlimited, when it is not. If Orange said up-front "The limit is 750mb because of technical limits our end" we would be fine about it. Don't you SEE?!

By gavmeister on 3 Nov 2009

In addition...

Users of Orange iPhones will be denied access to Spotify and Facebook.

Might as well get one from O2.

By Lacrobat on 3 Nov 2009

complaint posted to ASA website

that felt good!

By gavmeister on 3 Nov 2009

This Again?

This seems to keep coming up, and the ASA and OFCOM are plainly ignoring the consumers who ACTUALLY understand the meanings of the words 'unlimited' etc. (I'll not list all the disputed words, as you can use any wordlist for that - they'll dispute anything in my experience)

I was looking at Orange for the HTC Hero, and will now buy the G2 (same hardware) from T-Mobile, since they offer 3GB of 'tether-permitted' internet as standard.

So congratulations Orange, you've just lost another potential customer. When will you learn?


And one for us all to bear in mind:

while (Unlimited

By GlasgowGuy on 3 Nov 2009

Oops...

Here's the end of the post...

do{
doComplaintoAsa();
doComplaintoOfcom();
}
while (Unlimited

By GlasgowGuy on 3 Nov 2009

You get the idea

Seems the comments don't like code (or is there a vulnerability in this blog system?)

I tried to type for the last line

"while (Unlimited 'less-than-symbol' 'infinity-symbol') 'Semicolon'

Oh well... I just hope the web server isn't trying to execute the code! That would be an interesting vulnerability for an IT website.

(and sorry for the multiple posts - don't seem to be able to edit)

By GlasgowGuy on 3 Nov 2009

The fact that they have chosen to make it 750MB rather than a nice round 1GB shows they are trying to get away with the lowest *LIMIT* they think they can.

By halsteadk on 3 Nov 2009

bye bye bye bye

Yup, this combined with restricted access to Spotify and Youtube (not Facebook, don't be silly) means it's sayonara to Orange's iPhone offering for any savvy customer.

By gavmeister on 3 Nov 2009

ASA Again!

I contributed to another thread in the same vein, that of the ASA, and the meaning of "Unlimited" - see PC Pro Thread http://www.pcpro.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31606
1
for details).

Key point being - call something, hefty, generous, extra value or whatever but DO NOT call it Unlimited when by definition it clearly isn't unlimited. My own understanding is that, weirdly with the exception of political advertising, adverts should be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Well unlimited clearly isn't truthful if it is in fact limited!

Advice to ASA & advertisers:

1. Get a dictionary!
2. Tell the truth!

By philwane3 on 3 Nov 2009

ASA Again!

I contributed to another thread in the same vein, that of the ASA, and the meaning of "Unlimited" - see PC Pro Thread http://www.pcpro.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31606
1
for details).

Key point being - call something, hefty, generous, extra value or whatever but DO NOT call it Unlimited when by definition it clearly isn't unlimited. My own understanding is that, weirdly with the exception of political advertising, adverts should be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Well unlimited clearly isn't truthful if it is in fact limited!

Advice to ASA & advertisers:

1. Get a dictionary!
2. Tell the truth!

By philwane3 on 3 Nov 2009

Added another complaint posted to ASA website

When will they learn the definition of unlimited.

adjective not limited or restricted; infinite

By PLF_skydiver on 4 Nov 2009