This is one of those odd things. For several years I have paid a data plan on my mobile phone to read my email. I think at the first time I paid it, they were looking for about €10 for 10MB of data (up and down). As time has passed I have still been paying this internet tax for the phone, only in the last two years with the purchase of a Nokia N95 has it become something of a complete fraud.
I’ve just lost this entry due to it being (a) a web 2.0 item and (b) not capable of dealing with the downing of my internet connection. Not making me a happy camper.
I bought the phone, while I still had my €13 for 10MB data connection plan. There was nothing better available. I assumed (more fool me) that there would be an option for a better data plan as I was buying a phone which required a half decent packet connection. Apparently, my mobile company were unaware of the fact that my phone was using the packet connection until I was in excess of €300 in the hole, and that was a paltry 2 weeks after getting the phone. Something to do with them being complete pillocks.
After a while, a plan became available that allowed for 1GB data per month. I barely use 100MB on the phone (I have a broadband dongle and am paying for broadband access in two locations simulataneously). I will be using my phone to tether my laptop. This is a given.
Apparently, the new phone plans for the iPhone and tethering will ask for a supplemental €15 which is epletivingly ridiculous. You cowboys have been charging us 10cent per 160 7bit message which is 64cent a KB or €655 a MB. All the code to deal with these is built into the system. The messages themselves pass through a mostly unused D-channel. They are free. Stop taking the piss. Data access should be a right – just like food and shelter.
If it wasn't for carbon-14, I wouldn't date at all