O2 investigates iPhone roaming charge glitch
iPhone customers are being charged for data usage abroad even though they say they have turned the data roaming facility off, according to complaints on the network operator's site forums.
An O2 spokeswoman told Web User that it has contacted Apple and both companies are currently investigating the problem.
A number ofO2forum threads suggest that the problem only affects customers who have downloaded the latest operating system - iOS4. This operating system is available for all iPhone models, though not all would have installed it.
It appears that despite the feature being switched off in the phone's settings, many customers who have downloaded the iPhone iOS4 operating system have found they are still being charged for data usage.
One poster wrote: "I have just downloaded the new iOS4 for my 3GS and am travelling in New Zealand. Since I downloaded the OS I have found that despite the fact that Data Roaming is switched off, whenever I am about to receive a picture message my phone automatically starts checking my email, downloading Facebook notifications etc."
Another customer also posted on an Apple forum: "Recently I was stuck in Barcelona for work. When I returned to the UK, I found that I had been charged by my service provider O2 for 'mobile internet browsing and downloads'. Given that I had international roaming switched off at all times, I queried the charge."
The threads admit that O2 has refunded any queried fees from the customers on the forums where appropriate with 'little hesitation'.
Yet O2's support department did advise one customer to ensure the Wi-Fi feature was switched off when not in use.
"O2 advises iPhone users who are abroad always to switch off their Wi-Fi connections after every use, even when connected to free Wi-Fi, because sometimes this can turn roaming on and incur charges."
Another thread said: "O2 told me that this was a problem up until September but it's now sorted. I don't think it is!"
O2 had an exclusive deal with Apple when the iPhone was first released and as a result has more iPhone customers in the UK than any other network.
Apple is yet to respond to respond to Web User's request for more information.
The glitch follows Apple's recent problems with its iPhone 4 signal. Reports that the iPhone 4 suffered with severe signal loss when held in a certain way led to chief executive officer Steve Jobs pledging to give away free bumper cases to all owners last week.
