Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The BIG 3G question thread

I

iamwadey

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 3, 2009
19
0
Ok i have been considering buying an iPhone 3G i will buying it from O2 (uk based network). So here we are thanks in advance;
*for Wifi/GPS questions i do live in the UK

GoogleMaps: Is a internet connection required to use google maps (roadmaps)

GPS: I am not sure about all the different forms of connections, do i have to pay for it? Or is it something similar to Satnav


SimCard: Can i use my existing simcard from O2 and put it into the phone or are iphone ones different in some way.

WIFI: Its says i will be charged for WIFI access is that only for the independent business's wifi, basically no charges for using my home wireless.

Positioning: Is finding out where i am free using whichever option is available.


I may update but i am reading up at the moment.
Thank you very much.

EDIT: People have been mentioning unlimited internet plan can someone explain and is it available for O2 pay as you go and how much

||Edit 2|| The unlimited usage and wifi; does is the usage meaning when im using 3G?
 
I'm on o2 UK Pay & Go.

You do need data access for Google Maps, ideally 3g or wifi.

GPS is free and built into Google Maps, but it isn't as accurate as a proper GPS system as it uses phone mast triangulation instead of satellites.

You can use any 3g-enabled o2 sim card, but it's best to use one with unlimited data (such as the one you get when you buy the iPhone on Pay & Go) otherwise your data costs will be huge.

You only pay for protected wifi such as BT Openzone / The Cloud and similar hotspots. However, free access to both of the above is included in o2's unlimited data & wifi package, which you get free for 12 months with the iPhone Pay & Go sim and costs £10 a month afterwards.
 
iamwadey said:
Ok i have been considering buying an iPhone 3G i will buying it from O2 (uk based network). So here we are thanks in advance;
*for Wifi/GPS questions i do live in the UK

GoogleMaps: Is a internet connection required to use google maps (roadmaps)
Yes an internet connection is required to use any function of Google Maps.

GPS: I am not sure about all the different forms of connections, do i have to pay for it? Or is it something similar to Satnav
You do not pay any extra for use of the GPS in the iPhone. It is all part of the iPhone unlimited internet plan.

SimCard: Can i use my existing simcard from O2 and put it into the phone or are iphone ones different in some way.
You can use your existing O2 sim card but you must make sure that you have an unlimited internet plan and 3G provisioning.

WIFI: Its says i will be charged for WIFI access is that only for the independent business's wifi, basically no charges for using my home wireless.
Wifi charges are up to the person/company that owns the wifi network that you're trying to use.

Positioning: Is finding out where i am free using whichever option is available.
Yes as long as you have unlimited internet use on your plan.


I may update but i am reading up at the moment.
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...

Hope that helps
 
iamwadey said:
Is a internet connection required to use google maps (roadmaps)
Click to expand...

Yes.

iamwadey said:
I am not sure about all the different forms of connections, do i have to pay for it? Or is it something similar to Satnav
Click to expand...

No. You don't have to pay for GPS.

iamwadey said:
SimCard: Can i use my existing simcard from O2 and put it into the phone or are iphone ones different in some way.
Click to expand...

Why does it mattter? Sign the new contract, get the new SIM card, who cares about your old SIM card?

iamwadey said:
Its says i will be charged for WIFI access is that only for the independent business's wifi, basically no charges for using my home wireless.
Click to expand...

That's for their wifi hotspots, not your wireless at home.

iamwadey said:
Is finding out where i am free using whichever option is available.
Click to expand...

It is free no matter what.
 
Volka said:
I'm on o2 UK Pay & Go.

You do need data access for Google Maps, ideally 3g or wifi.

GPS is free and built into Google Maps, but it isn't as accurate as a proper GPS system as it uses phone mast triangulation instead of satellites.

You can use any 3g-enabled o2 sim card, but it's best to use one with unlimited data (such as the one you get when you buy the iPhone on Pay & Go) otherwise your data costs will be huge.

You only pay for protected wifi such as BT Openzone / The Cloud and similar hotspots. However, free access to both of the above is included in o2's unlimited data & wifi package, which you get free for 12 months with the iPhone Pay & Go sim and costs £10 a month afterwards.
Click to expand...
Pay as you go unlimited internet ? Can you point me a link?
 
Volka said:
GPS is free and built into Google Maps, but it isn't as accurate as a proper GPS system as it uses phone mast triangulation instead of satellites.
Click to expand...

It is proper GPS, uses satellites, is as accurate and doesn't cost anything per month to use just like any other GPS device. It uses information from cell towers only to find your exact location which makes it faster than stand-alone GPS units, in fact.

It does download the maps over wifi or your network, however, as they are not stored on the iPhone.
 
Can anyone verify the difference between '*Unlimited data and Wi-Fi' on the o2 plan
 
o2 have a wifi hotspot partner called 'the cloud'. Taking up an iphone will allow you free access to the cloud hotspots for 12 months, whenever you're in range; whereas unlimited data refers to the 3G/Edge data that you'll be getting on the move.
Hope that helps?
 
Benjay said:
o2 have a wifi hotspot partner called 'the cloud'. Taking up an iphone will allow you free access to the cloud hotspots for 12 months, whenever you're in range; whereas unlimited data refers to the 3G/Edge data that you'll be getting on the move.
Hope that helps?
Click to expand...
thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back