Sticker shock.(SHORT MESSAGE: Around the wireless industry)

Wireless Asia, January, 2007

Mobile TV may be all the rage across much of the world. But anyone thinking of enjoying their leisure time in this way should take heed of the experience of a customer in the UK. As was reported widely before Christmas, Michael Schaefer indulged himself by watching two hours TV on his mobile, and one can imagine his reaction when his service provider O2 duly sent him a bill for 950 [pounds sterling].

His O2 tariff included 100 kbps of free downloads, after which he was charged 3 [pounds sterling] per megabyte because the download wasn't from O2's portal (where film clips can cost just 35p). O2 ultimately waived the fee, but it does show the financial minefield that downloading content has become.