Three’s X-Series 3G data service update. (UK)

I’m still highly skeptical about the transparentness of Three’s X-Series service. There’s too many marketing words floating around the product for my liking. ‘Unlimited Web Browsing’ instead in Internet Access. ‘Fair Use’ and other such warning signs.

Ewan Macleod who runs SMS Text News uses the X-Series product and is really putting it through its paces. He’s posted a number of really interesting and honest articles and this one from yesterday is very positive. Ewan quotes the X-series blog (well done to the X-Series team for having the foresight to communicate in this way.) which says:

We have not intentionally blocked access to services or prevented access to, or downloads from, any particular sites.  However, we have not tested the service or the handsets for applications or uses other than those promoted by 3. 

If you can download clients and access websites or web-based services of your choosing, then this access will be included as part of the Unlimited data offer

Ewan is a happy chappy but I can still see a hole. It doesn’t say that access to Internet service won’t be billed. All it says is that website access or web-based services are included. Mmmm. Now what’s a Web-Service when it comes to network access. To me, its TCP port 80 and port 443. (HTTP, HTTPS.) What about FTP or IMAP or POP3 or SSH or VPN use? These aren’t ‘web’ applications, these are Internet applications. These are capabilities that you get with a normal broadband connection.

The question remains. Can I use the X-Series phone as a data modem for a UMPC/Notebook?  Ewan, if you read this, can you put the Q to Three UK for me? Cheers Matey.

Steve