Phone Data Excess of $130 due to an automatic update of iOS

isidore12 on 29/04/2014 - 12:12

hi all

This morning apple released iOS 7.1.1, which was downloaded on my iPad through my iPhone's hotspot. It was automatic, I wasn't aware of it.

I checked my current bill, and it is going to cost me $130.

SMS warning for data excess only came conveniently 1 hour 45 minutes later. Obviously, it is useless.

I believe that my mobile phone operator should have warmed me sooner.

According to consumer laws, is there any obligation for the operator to inform consumers in due time when there is an excess?

I have contacting them to find conciliation and I am waiting for their reply.

How should I dispute the bill if they refuse?

Thanks

General Discussion

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 29/04/2014 - 12:15

    i heard that as well, automatic update, can we turn this off?

  • Realsteel on 29/04/2014 - 12:38
    +1

    I would call the company and explain what happened and politely ask for a waiver. I went over once and was let off when I called and asked.

  • dieselraw on 29/04/2014 - 12:38

    Of course u can turn off automatic updates, i had to update my ipad manually last nite.

  • cloudy on 29/04/2014 - 12:52
    +7

    Sounds like it's entirely you're fault to be honest. Maybe try negotiating a smaller bill or something asking them to offer some good will. But full waiver seems unfair on the telco tbh.

  • frutter on 29/04/2014 - 14:25

    similar issue with someone i know was over 200$ called telco and they gave discount

    • kingsville on 29/04/2014 - 15:34
      +1

      Live Connected and I went halvies on a $160 excess use charge.

      I explained the situation and they were very good about it (this was before Vaya took them over).

  • krayz on 29/04/2014 - 15:28

    usually if it's your first time, they may waive a good portion or maybe even all of it if you explain yourself politely.

    in regards to the usage warning, there is usually a time delay while the system registers it and sends warnings etc. At the end of the day, its never a good idea to rely solely on warnings, as the onus is on you to monitor how much you use etc, and if you do not have much data, to stay away from data-intensive usage like hotspots.

  • BadHorse on 29/04/2014 - 15:28

    Double check that they calculated the excess usage costs correctly.
    I received a bill that was $90 in excess of the data charges I should have paid.

    I took me 6 weeks and a TIO claim but they managed to credit me back the costs although didn't explain the issue.

    As for the fault, not really with the Telco or the device unfortunately

  • gevidian on 29/04/2014 - 16:18
    +1

    I can't figure out why you have such a high $ excess. The iOS update is only about 30MB and most phone excess data charges are 3-4 cents per MB meaning cost for the ios update would be only one to two dollars. To rack up $130 excess, you would have to have used data in the region of 3-4GB.

    • zambuck on 30/04/2014 - 08:23

      The size of the latest update varies depending on device and generation, but they're pretty much all in the range of 900MB to 1.5GB per device, not 30MB. Crazy large download, but that's just how they do it.

      • ilostnemo on 30/04/2014 - 11:54

        The updates through the devices are very small ie my iphone to 7.1.1 is about 30mb, downloading the ios update to the pc then restoring the device is in the range of 900mb to 1.5gb

  • DEvok on 29/04/2014 - 16:42

    Well it's clearly your responsibility for automatic updates, this has nothing to do with your service provider as it is a Apples fault for unclear software usuage "no manuals"

    They would most likely tell you that you should have been clear about apple products. next time turn it off, And as above said, you might have someone nice to give you extra time to pay it off or the bill reduced. Gudluck.

    • isidore12 on 30/04/2014 - 09:23

      Please give me a link on how to turn-off automatic updates on iOS6.

      I looked for an hour, it is not possible, the option you are talking about exists only on iOS 7.

  • fruit on 29/04/2014 - 20:11

    Is your iPad or iPhone jailbroken?
    iOS can detected when it's tethered to a phone and not update automatically. Perhaps this is a bug?

  • Euphemistic on 30/04/2014 - 08:22

    The $130 in no way represents the cost to the telco, it is a disincentive for you to use their network so they don't need to upgrade.

    Ask for a reduction in the cost, and then set your device to not auto update for next time.

  • isidore12 on 30/04/2014 - 09:16

    If like me you want to turn-off automatic iOS updates, you won't be able to on iOS 5 or 6. You need iOS 7 to be able to disable it or use Cydia to root your device and use Software Update Killer but you will void the warranty… so I suggest you don't.

  • ilostnemo on 30/04/2014 - 12:06
    +1

    I've always been asked to update the os when it's available, and the same with everyone I know with an iphone, you will have the number 1 in your settings.

    The link mentioned above is for apps not ios.

    I received a 500mb from Telstra as a package deal and the kids were watching youtube, the power went out and 5 minutes later my phone was beeping like crazy. 4G 500mb very quick, I rang up Telstra and they waived the charge.

    Good Luck

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