o2

European carriers team up to block iCloud Private Relay on iPhone and iPad

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iCloud Private Relay
The feature undermines "European digital sovereignty," they say.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

European are joining forces in a bid to block iCloud Private Relay — a feature Apple introduced in iOS and iPadOS 15 to bolster its privacy protections. It seems some have already begun disabling it on cellular plans.

A group, which include Vodafone and T-Mobile, has signed an open letter that says Private Relay prevents them from obtaining “vital network data,” and will impact their ability to “efficiently manage telecommunication networks.”

UK’s O2 network offers customers 6 months of free Disney+

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Disney+
Disney+ is launching in the U.K. this month.
Image: Disney

U.K. cellular network O2 has brokered a deal with Disney to become the UK’s exclusive mobile network distributor for the Disney+ steaming service.

The deal means that new and upgrading monthly customers get six months of Disney+ on O2 as a special offer. This mirrors a similar deal by Apple to offer a year’s free subscription to Apple TV+ for anyone buying a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac computer.

iOS 13.3.1 eliminates iPhone XR’s connectivity issues on O2

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You can use your iPhone XR on O2 again.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s most recent iOS update eliminates the connectivity issues plaguing iPhone XR owners on O2, the U.K.’s second-largest carrier.

Many users have been unable to make calls or browse the internet without being connected to Wi-Fi. But O2 today confirmed that updating to iOS 13.3.1 restores normal functionality.

Apple promises fix for iPhone XR issues on UK’s second-largest carrier

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Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Photo: Apple

Apple has acknowledged a connectivity issue with iPhone XR units connected to O2, the second-largest carrier in the United Kingdom.

Many users have been unable to make or receive calls or text messages. They have also been stuck without a reliable data connection, which renders most apps unusable without Wi-Fi.

Widespread shipping delays hit iPhone 7 on eve of launch

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iPhone 7 Plus jet black
Jet black iPhone 7 will be hard to find.
Photo: Apple

With the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus scheduled to arrive in less than 24 hours, customers around the globe who preordered are being notified that their devices won’t ship on time.

The unpleasant news isn’t sitting well with these Apple fans, many of whom thought they’d get their iPhone 7 on launch day.

Apple To Launch Cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c Tomorrow [Rumor]

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The successor to the iPhone 5c is nearly here.
The successor to the iPhone 5c is nearly here.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expected to give potential iPhone 5c customers a cheaper option tomorrow with the launch of a new 8GB model. Leaked documents from O2 Germany have confirmed the existence of the device and its launch date, while two carriers in the U.K. have reportedly already received their first deliveries.

EE Announces U.K.’s First 4G Pay-As-You-Go Plans

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EE has today announced the U.K.’s first 4G pay-as-you-go plans, as well as its “most affordable” pay monthly 4G packages as it looks to step up its fight against competing 4G services from O2 and Vodafone. They go live on October 30, and they promise to provide Brits with cheaper and easier access to the 4G revolution.

The New iPhones Will Support All Four Of The U.K.’s 4G Carriers, Despite What Apple Says

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When Apple updated its website on Tuesday and added the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to its online store, we were surprised to see that it was only advertising support for two of the U.K.’s four 4G carriers — EE and Vodafone. But don’t worry, both Three and O2 have confirmed that the devices will support their new LTE networks, too.

Three U.K. Confirms 4G Rollout Is On Track For Q4, Will Not Cost Any Extra

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Now that EE is already providing 4G LTE services in the U.K., and Vodafone and O2 are scheduled to launch their own 4G networks at the end of this month, Three was the only major carrier yet to announce its rollout plans.

But the company has today confirmed that it is on track to launch 4G during the fourth quarter of this year, and that it will come at no extra cost to consumers.

Vodafone U.K. Confirms 4G Rollout Will Begin August 29

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Vodafone U.K. has today announced that it will begin rolling out its new 4G network on August 29 — the same day rival O2 will launch its own 4G service. The company will reach 12 major cities across the country initially, with further expansion planned before the end of this year.

That means that by the end of this month, EE will no longer be the U.K.’s only 4G provider.

O2 U.K. Announces 4G Price Plans & Launch Date

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EE has been the United Kingdom’s only 4G provider for around nine months now, but at the end of this month, it’ll finally see some competition. O2 has today announced that its own 4G network will launch on August 29, with prices starting at £26 per month. The service will reach three cities initially, with ten more scheduled to be added by the end of the year.

O2 Becomes Latest To Offer Free Wi-Fi On The London Underground

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O2, one of the U.K.’s largest cellular operators, has announced the launch of its free London Underground Wi-Fi connectivity for its mobile subscribers. Like both EE and Vodafone, O2 has entered into a partnership with Virgin Media – which has Wi-Fi hotspots at more than 120 tube stations across central London – to provide the new service to its customers.

Three Acquires O2 Ireland For $1.1 Billion

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Hutchison Whampoa, owner of Three U.K., has today acquired O2 Ireland in a deal worth €850 million ($1.1 billion). Telefonica, O2’s parent company, believes the move will “create a new competitive dynamic in the Irish market,” which Three can now claim 37.5% of with 2 million active subscribers.

Brits Don’t Need A Budget iPhone When They Can Get The iPhone 4 For Just 50p A Day

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Apple is expected to launch a new low-cost iPhone later this year, but as long as you’re willing to buy an older model, you can already bag an Apple smartphone for as little as 50p a day.

British retailer Carphone Warehouse will offer the iPhone 4 on a two-year contract for just £17 a month from tomorrow, May 10, with no upfront cost. It will be the cheapest iPhone tariff available in the United Kingdom.

EE Announces Plans To Double 4G Speeds In 10 U.K. Cities

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EE has announced plans to double its 4G LTE network speeds in ten U.K. cities by the summer. The move will boost headline speeds to 80Mbps, and increase the average speed to 20Mbps for both new and existing subscribers. The carrier says this is part of its ambition to “stay one step ahead” as rival carriers prepare to launch their own 4G networks in the coming months.