Sam OliverThe exclusive iPhone service provider in France began feeling the heat of irate iPhone 3G customers after several of them began comparing their download speeds on an internet forum with those achieved by users in neighboring countries.
In particular, they found that iPhone users on Germany's T-Mobile network — recently cited as the best performing 3G network by iPhone users — were routinely able to achieve download speeds of 1800Kbps, while those on France's Orange network struggled to reach a mere 400Kbps.
Calls began pouring into Orange's technical support lines. In some of these cases, technicians voluntarily altered the APN (Access Point Name) and other parameters tied to subscribers' iPhones. The result was a dramatic increase in speed for most of those subscribers, with some reporting that their speeds suddenly surged in excess of 3Mbps.
Almost immediately, iPhone 3G users discarded the notion of flaws in the Apple handset's hardware and began suspecting Orange of intentionally capping 3G download speeds. Many were furious, arguing that artificial limitation was in direct violation of the service agreements shared between the carrier and its iPhone customers, which theoretically should have allowed HSDPA speeds approaching 7.2Mbps. A petition was also formed.
A video comparing an uncapped iPhone 3G to an capped iPhone 3G on the Orange network
When contacted by FranceInfo, an Orange representative reportedly confirmed that that the carrier has been deliberately limiting speeds for all 3G capable phones on its network to 384Kbps, saying the move was aimed at 'preserving the stability of the network.'
Following a meeting on Monday at its Paris headquarters, Orange said it will raise the download cap for iPhone users from 384Kbps to 1Mbps by September 15th.
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84 Comments
It's amazing how much cell companies get away with around the world. False advertising, price gouging, and breaking contracts.
How much longer until some serious change? I thought Apple was going to provoke it when they first released with AT&T, but now even Apple has fallen in line.
iPhone is still ahead of the times... Relying so heavily on the Internet connection and 3g, the cell companies can't keep up. It's sad. But this should get the cell companies in gear to improve their speeds, availability.
I suppose their only saving grace is that they did it for all the phones and not just the iPhone. I wonder however - have they had many/any problems with dropped calls etc in France? Isn't it quite possible that the whole of 3G users have a better general overall experience with 3G because the lines aren't being maxed out?
Following an uproar on the part of disgruntled iPhone customers, French wireless carrier Orange will reportedly raise an unpublicized cap on 3G download speeds next month.
The exclusive iPhone service provider in France began feeling the heat of irate iPhone 3G customers after several of them began
I would suggest that this is not unique to Orange.
I did comment on a previous discussion that my carrier has capped and is gradually increasing the level to ensure stability. Right now my test run is showing nearly 1500kbps.
I would also suggest that some due diligence on how wireless works would help to negate some of the comments that are being stated on the subject. Anybody who knows anything about the factors that can affect cell service will appreciate the issues that cell phone manufacturers, carriers and users come up against.
Dropped calls for example are a fact of life no matter where you are. Even on the space shuttle! And if you still need more proof, go down to your local VFW or American Legion hall and ask the vets about dropped calls.
Here is a great read on the subject: http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-r...rop-calls.aspx.
And one more point, cell phone manufacturers and carriers have to go through extensive testing under some of the most stringent standards in the world, e.g., as set by the US FCC. Sure when you manufacture millions of units at a time, some will fail at times. But then don't we all.
Perhaps we can save ourselves from looking stupid, just by doing some homework.
iPhone is still ahead of the times... Relying so heavily on the Internet connection and 3g, the cell companies can't keep.
It is not, there are other phones more than capable of putting through more data than an iPhone