New tariffs: simplicity, flexibility and inclusive tethering

Our new flexible Pay Monthly tariffs launch today, offering 12 month options for current customers, greater choice of data allowances, and inclusive Internet Tethering for the very first time…

Today we have launched our new range of Pay Monthly tariffs for new and upgrading customers and, this year, we’ve concentrated on two things; making them simple and making them flexible. So, instead of offering a set combination of minutes, texts and MBs of data, you can tailor your own tariff to suit you:

Step 1: Pick your handset (or choose to keep your old one) and contract length
Step 2: Pick your minutes and text allowance
Step 3: Choose how much data (web on your phone) you want to use

This has meant that some of our prices have changed, but only if you’re a new customer to O2, or you want to upgrade your tariff with us. And we’ve made sure to throw in some extra value along the way.

70% of all our new customers choose a smartphone to enjoy the Internet on their phone, so we know how important data is. We’ve introduced more choice by continuing to offer as much as 1GB per month for our heaviest users, and by adding a 100MB data allowance for those customers who just want to send a few emails.

If you like using data and choose 500MB or more each month (like the majority of our customers), we throw in 20 MMS with your allowance, which is worth over £4. And, for the first time, Internet Tethering (using your phone as a modem to connect your laptop to the Internet) is completely included in our data allowances, so you don’t have to pay a penny extra for it. That’s £7.65 additional value built into your tariff.

And finally, we’ve listened to what our most loyal customers have told us and launched shorter, 12-month contracts (for our existing customers), so they can benefit from the latest handsets even earlier than before.

If you’re not sure which tariff to pick, check out the full tariff table on our website or pop in to an O2 store and speak to an O2 Guru, who will help you decide what will suit you best. Let us know what you think or if you have any questions about our new tariffs.

Update: A lot of people have been asking if you can move to the new tariffs even if you’re an existing customer already in a contract. The answer’s yes! Customers can move to our latest tariffs as long as you’re moving to one of equal or greater value. Those customers wishing to a lower value tariff can do so, but only once they reach half way through their contract. There are a few rules but give us a call and we’ll be able to arrange this for you.

Comments

[Nic Wise]

So... how do we get these new plans, pref without having to talk to the help desk (who are good, but I'm sure I can click a few buttons). Nothing in the MyO2 section....

[O2]

@Nic - if you're an existing customer you can move across but you'll need to either give us a call or go into a store to transfer. It won't take long :)

[Rusty]

Do the new data bolt-ons not include WiFi access through BT Openzone? I can't see it mentioned anywhere.

[O2]

@Rusty Some of them do yes - take a look on our tariff page :)

[Gareth]

So I'm currently on the simplicity iphone tariff with unlimited data 600 mins for 20 pounds. I'm wanting to setup my tethering bolt on via the personal hotspot feature but without changing my original tariff. How would I do this?

[Tom]

Does the inclusive tethering include Personal Hotspot for iPhone?

[Martin Hammersmith]

Do existing iphone customers get tethering included in their allowance?

[Scott]

I upgraded in December to a plan with 750mb/month data. Is it possible to get the free Internet tethering added to my contract?

[Phil]

I'm already on a o2 simplicity iPhone contract (I moved in Jan 2011) - can I move across to the new tariff now, or do I need to wait for 10 months?

[JohnB]

Do existing pay monthly customers get tethering included free automatically? Or only at renewal?

[Damian]

As an existing pay monthly iPhone customer how do I activate tethering? Does this require a change of plan?

[Richard Heathcote]

Do we have to wait presumably for our existing contracts to end before changing the tariff? I'm currently 9months or so in to my 18month contract from when I upgraded to iPhone 4.
Also, does the data bolt on allowance include on-phone data usage AND personal hotspot/tethering etc, so if you have 500MB, it's not 500MB for the phone, then another bolt on for tethering/hotspot? It's all combined?

[Nic wise]

Thanks - I'll call up and do it then. Just thought selfsevice would be .... better.

thanks

[hexx]

and what about customers on existing 18 months contracts paying £40 a month using iPhone 4? no tethering included?

[Joe]

If I'm a current customer, do I need to upgrade my contract or will this automatically apply to me?

[andy]

In the summer of 2008, I did an O2 retentions deal with 600 minutes, a fixed bundle of text messages (which could be used free from abroad), unlimited internet (included tethering), free My Europe Extra, and a Nokia E51 phone, £20 a month for 18 months.

This would now cost £56 a month and have less internet content.

[Ruaraidh]

Do we have to wait for existing contracts to expire before switching? I've got 6 months left on mine.

[Kristian]

My current contract (up for renewal this week) gives me unlimited data and costs considerably less than the equivalent "new" tariff.

Will I have to switch to one of these new tariffs and therefore be worse off when/if I renew my contract?

[Jiri]

Does tethering mean BT tethering AND Personal HotSpot function as well? When it's going to be available on my iPhone4? Through the carrier update in an iTunes today?

[Dario]

I almost hate to say this (in an age when everyone complains about their service plans)...I really like this flexibility! Now just add a unlimited facebook bolt-on and I will sign up for another 2 years :)

[Luke]

Do existing customers get the tethering option included?

[Richard tyrer]

So if im 10 months in to a 24 month contract can I change to one of the new tariffs and if so are there any restrictions???

[Richard Tyrer]

So if im 10 months in to a 24 month contract can I change to one of the new tariffs and if so are there any restrictions???

[IPNe]

What about existing iPhone tariff users? Can we just get tethering added free? or do we need to take a new tariff - and if so - would that lengthen the contract?

[Jack Mills]

Do I have to sign up to a new contract to get the free tethering or will that come into effect on my current contract?