T-Mobile UK has announced that its mobile data-plan doesn't including "downloading," playing games or looking at videos — only browsing the web (though, presumably, without downloading any html?) and email (again, without downloading any of your messages?) are permitted under its "fair use" policy. Customers on 1GB or 3GB monthly caps will have their data-plans slashed to 500MB (for reference, I get that much email every day or two).
British telcos all use these bullshit "fair use" policies that say you're only allowed to use their mobile Internet offerings in a "reasonable" way, without ever defining what is or isn't reasonable. Presumably, we're all supposed to rely on the legendary good judgment of the phone companies.
But this is certainly the most egregiously stupid Internet policy I've yet encountered from a UK telco; it makes me very glad indeed I got rid of my T-Mobile 3G dongle last year.
From the beginning of next month, the policy will limit customers to 500MB a month, down from 1GB or 3GB, depending on the contract. "If you want to download, stream and watch video clips, save that stuff for your home broadband," a document on the T-Mobile site said…
"Browsing means looking at websites and checking email, but not watching videos, downloading files or playing games," the company claimed. "We've got a fair use policy, but ours means that you'll always be able to browse the internet, it's only when you go over the fair use amount that you won't be able to download, stream and watch video clips."
T-Mobile says "download at home" after slashing data cap
(Thanks, Michael!)
