I own a BlackBerry Bold 9000. I am on Prepay text and data.

I was using the built-in browser but found that I couldn't access some sites, such as www.google.com. I called Vodafone fully informing them about how I use my phone. They advised me that the built-in browser does not work without a BlackBerry plan because this is how RIM (manufacturers of BlackBerry) get people to sign up. This staff member then proceeded to advice me to install Opera Mini as this doesn't require such a plan to operate.

I installed and successfully used Opera Mini for some day or two, then, two days ago, just before noon, I was out-and-about with full 3G coverage when Opera suddenly failed to connect asking me to check my network settings. I tried everything I could think of, but to no avail. The built-in browser still worked as usual, though.

I called Vodafone and they told me that, as RIM want people to be on a BlackBerry plan, RIM, and NOT Vodafone, had disabled full Internet access on my BlackBerry. Vodafone told me this was out of their control and that there was nothing they could do about it. I was devastated.

Later that day I discovered that Opera wouldn't even connect over Wi-Fi. I was too busy worying about not having any Internet access that the severity of this not working didn't dawn on me at the time.

The next day I hapend by a Vodafone store and spoke to them about my issues. The person in the store told me that it was Vodafone that had disabled Internet access and NOT RIM! I was furious and called up Vodafone who confirmed this to be the case! I was informed they were following normal protocol. As far as I could understand this protocol meant letting people know about Opera as an option and then disconnecting people after awhile to then get them onto a BlackBerry plan. I was furious.

I told Vodafone there was no way I would be prepared to sign up on a BlackBerry plan when I obviously have a fully capable 3G phone that could clearly connect to the Internet but that no longer worked because they had chosen to flick the switch on their end. I told them I don't play games like that.

I gave Vodafone an ultimatum: you have to Tuesday to reverse what you've done OR watch me take my phone elsewhere. The Vodafone staff I spoke to took down my complaints and demands in an e-mail that I was told would be sent to those in charge of their BlackBerry procedures. (This was a Sunday, and they don't work weekends.)

I chuckled to myself at this. Why would Vodafone ever want to do anything for me? It's just me and my BlackBerry. After all, if they did agree they would simply open a can of worms as every other maverick BlackBerry user would come after Vodafone demanding they do the same thing for them. Rightfully so I say. After all, these users also own a fully capable 3G device. It's an expensive piece of kit and some of us actually own our BlackBerry out-right. Surely we should be allowed to use it to its full capacity?

Later that afternoon I was still out-and-about, with excellent 3G coverage, when I (for the first time ever) popped my 2degrees SIM into my BlackBerry to discover that this fully removed the built-in browser and only made available the hotspot browser (i.e., the Wi-Fi connected browser). I wasn't too surprised by this as I had spoken to 2degress the previous day and they told me this might happen. Opera, of course would not connect, since, not having the built-in browser, meant that the "default browser" (or, as it really should be called, the "network connection") was set to use the hotspot browser which of course means Wi-Fi connection. (I'm not even going to discus how ridiculous this terminology with browsers and connections are all mixed-up and confused, but never mind.)

When I then got home that evening, I tried to connect using my 2degrees SIM over Wi-Fi but Opera would still not connect. I then swapped out the SIM for my Vodafone one but still Opera would not connect even though I set the default browser to the hotspot one. This is when I discovered the following post on 2degree's blog.

"Jason  AUGUST 8TH, 2010
Don’t worry about it, I swapped in Opera Mini (version 4.2) and I have internet now. I guess the default browser only works with blackberry plans." (from http://blog.2degreesmobile.co.nz/in-the-news/2degrees-launches-data-bundle-in-response-to-customer-demand/)

This is when it dawned on me what a fool I had been for not having realised a very important point: there should be no reason for Opera over Wi-Fi should not to work because that is NOT USING A MOBILE PROVIDER'S NETWORK BUT MY OWN!!! Vodafone, however, have taken it in their own hands to disable Opera from accessing ANY network even if that network is MY own Wi-Fi network and NOT their network!!! In fact, they must have tampered with settings on MY phone and not on my Vodafone account because I clearly cannot use Opera even with 2degrees even though Jason (on the 2degrees blog post above) can!!! This is where my blood started to boil! How dare Vodafone prevent me from using MY device on MY network! Morally it is just wrong but is it legal?


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