Great news from SMSTextNews today. The X-Series data plan from UK’s 3 network is really an unlimited data plan for 5 pounds ($10) a month. I was extremely skeptical about the phrase “unlimited web browsing” but Evan received his bill and it was….Zero. He’s used a number of non X-series apps and all have been covered buy the data plan. Interestingly, he used Shozu. Shozu does not use web ports or protocols. It uses port 110 (POP3) which has nothing to do with Web Browsing. But there’s a bizarre twist here somewhere…
For example. What does this mean?
If you can download clients and access websites or web-based services of your choosing, then this access will be included as part of the Unlimited data offer, other than where we separately offer that same service with a client we have provided (such as Sling and Orb).
And this:
3Mail is not included in X-Series as it is a different non-web based email service.
These are quotes from the X-Series blog. The single point I’d like to highlight is that it looks like 3 will charge for access via the IMAP protocol (that’s what 3Mail uses.) It still appears that there are restrictions.
I had a few other questions that I’ve managed to find the answers to though.
1) Can you use X-Series on a non X-Series phone.
You can use X-series on another phone. There are people that are running it on non X-Series phones. A laptop with a SIM card slot would work too. Its not permitted though. It would be regarded as an unauthorized device. Its not clear what they would do if they found you in a cafe with your FlyBook V33i I guess if you use it reasonably, no-one is going to fuss. The key point is that its ‘fair use.’ A mobile phone is more than capable of loading the network just as much as a notebook.
2) Can you tether the X-Series to a PC? Its almost the same as moving the SIM to a notebook I guess.
Here’s the same question and a fuzzy answer on the xseries blog:
Using the X-Series as a modem
Question from Anda: Will it be possible to use X-Series phones as bluetooth modems for a laptop? Will accessing this way also be unlimited? Any idea of speeds?Answer from 3 UK: The X-Series services are not intended for use as a modem. As an alternative, we’d suggest purchasing a DataCard from http://three.co.uk.
My translation is that they don’t want you to use it as a modem but there’s no way they can tell. When a port is open (e.g. port 80) they have no way of telling whether the data came from an app on your phone or a laptop connected via Bluetooth.
And here it is in the T&C’s
Please remember that the X-Series services are for your personal use only and do not include using your mobile as a modem with your PC or laptop.
Terms and Conditions state this:
Using the X-Services to exploit the unlimited offers
We will also consider your use unfair if you use the X-Series services in any way designed to unfairly exploit the unlimited usage or cause us loss, for example, by using the services for commercial purposes, accessing services that are not included or using an unauthorized device.
I’d say that the N800 makes a pretty good X-Series browsing partner. If you can live with breaking their rules and relying on a web-based existence (and lets face it, Google is making is easier every day to do everything via a browser.) everything should work. Its not permitted but I really can’t see how they can police it. Can you?
Steve.
