O2 restricting websites

Yes

Ah so it works on 3? I did wonder why the content doesn't show on O2. I'm also considering switching to 3 since we can't bypass image 'optimisation' on the O2 MicroSim. Either that or I might get the Option X2 router and pop in the mobile broadband dongle.

I really can't believe more people aren't complaining about the image compression etc on O2 and other networks - it really hinders 3G use of the iPad for many sites.

I hear you loud and clear. I made my protest to the CEO ronan.dunne@o2.co.uk

ibosie wrote:
I hear you loud and clear. I made my protest to the CEO ronan.dunne@o2.co.uk

Thanks for that link - I asked O2 support where I could e-mail 'feedback' and they didn't suggest anything!

It also affects YouTube (which I used for the first time last night on iPad).

I followed a link to a music video shot with a Canon DSLR, and though it looked good on wi-fi, then changed to 3G and it became unwatchable - resolution awful and compressed to high heaven (admittedly maybe a lower quality from YouTube itself), but that would mean O2 preventing access to the better quality the device can play.

The other crazy thing which is more iPad specific I assume is that you can't download apps more than 20MB over 3G - absolutely pointless if you're trying to download an app away from home. I just don't see the logic here for the iPad to restrict in this way. If this also applies to iTunes Store purchases larger than 20MB it makes 3G little use other than for textual web browsing and e-mails.

Message was edited by: Alley_Cat

There seems to have been a shift in attitude on O2's part with regards to the iPad. Like you I'm finding all sorts of undocumented restrictions in service with no right of reply. O2 did an amazing job with the iPhone, I doubt any other operator would have been as liberal and advanced given the initial exclusivity. The iPhone is truly unfettered; O2 jumped on every new feature from the day Apple enabled it in the software - tethering, mms. Admittedly it did result in an almost near collapse of the 3G network at first but praise to them they managed to sort it out. Have you noticed O2's website barely mentions the iPad? Even the tariffs are inaccessible without searching for the page on google. Do a search for iPad on the home site and notice there are no results displayed. I hope with the onset of the new iPhone and the possibility of iChat this feature will not get restricted. Hopefully O2's attitude towards the iPad is not deliberate.

I'd agree - have been quite happy with O2 with 1st and 2nd gen iPhones, but when new iPhone is out I'm not sure there's be much to keep me with O2.

I think all the data plans have been cobbled together without too much thought, but all these limitations mean the 3G experience is very poor with O2 on the iPad.

Hi guys, I can recommend 3. Both my partner and I use them on our Ipads and we have had no problems. He had a minor query at some point and was happy with customer services. That is no surprise as it's the same department as their phone contracts - I have had my mobile phone with them for a year, used customer services several times (just to make changes to my plan etc) and they have always provided a sensible, responsive service.

As for the 30 days notice, I expect that is true, but surely that is normal practice for most kinds of contracts for the purchase of anything. I guess if you think that you may want only one month, you could sign up, then immediately give notice, with the option to tell them that you have changed your mind later in the month and want to continue the contract.

Stella2 wrote:
Hi guys, I can recommend 3. Both my partner and I use them on our Ipads and we have had no problems. He had a minor query at some point and was happy with customer services. That is no surprise as it's the same department as their phone contracts - I have had my mobile phone with them for a year, used customer services several times (just to make changes to my plan etc) and they have always provided a sensible, responsive service.

Good to hear.

As for the 30 days notice, I expect that is true, but surely that is normal practice for most kinds of contracts for the purchase of anything. I guess if you think that you may want only one month, you could sign up, then immediately give notice, with the option to tell them that you have changed your mind later in the month and want to continue the contract.

With O2 you can cancel up to 24 hrs before the renewal date which is good, and actually in my favour as I currently can't see me sticking with them.

Either way a 30 day cancellation period is not awful when the monthly fee is £15 anyway.

I'm off to find a 3 store - hopefully it doesn't have to be purchased online via slow mail?

3 is by far the best in the UK for iPad. Have the cheapest plans also. Specially with the prepaid sims on ebay. Never considered 3 for anything before. Now being tempted to unlock an iPhone and use it on 3 also!

Orange seem to be ok, there is no image compression on BBC iplayer or YouTube on 3G.

This is the typical quality of the iPad 3G's YouTube app when connected to O2 on the 3G Micro SIM.

I'm on 3 now - first month is free if you purchase the SIM from a 3 store. The sign up process is a painful 20 minutes over the phone trying to get the operator to spell your name, address and bank details correctly for the credit check. Then you need to sync once with iTunes, restart the iPad and you're off. There are no APN or username details required in seems. The good news coming from O2 is a distinct lack of image optimisation. I ran a speedtest O2 0.8/0.3Mbps versus 3 3/0.25Mbps so a big increase in download speed but no sign of HSUPA which in this area is 1.5Mbps upstream on an O2 dongle bypassing the proxy. You Tube on 3 looks just as bad as it does on O2 however BBC HTML5 iPlayer is not blocked and the quality is superb - have a look: