O2 has launched new data plans which allow usage to be shared either between devices or between users.
For example, a user may choose to share their smartphone data allowance with a tablet or laptop, or with other family members. O2 says this will save them money and simplify bills.
It’s not the only network to allow data sharing though – we’ve taken a look at what’s on offer.
What’s data sharing?
According to the latest GSMA (an organization that represents mobile operators worldwide) data there are more than 73.7m mobile devices active in the UK. Every person in the UK now owns an average of 1.5 pieces of internet-enabled technology and the average household owns three.
With that in mind it can make sense for devices and individuals to share data bundles.
[SPOTLIGHT]O2’s Sharer Plan and Family Sharer Plan enable customers to use one data bundle, with up to 8GB allowance, either across multiple devices such as tablets and smartphones whether they are owned by just one person or by different members of the family.
How much do the new plans cost?
O2’s Sharer Plan offers one data bundle to be used by one person but shared between multiple devices – for example, a mobile phone and a tablet.
Customers on any O2 Refresh tariff with at least 1GB of data can share their data on additional devices from £6 per month as an add-on to an existing tariff.
The Family Sharer Plan offers one data bundle to be shared between multiple people. Customers take out one plan with a data allowance of between 1GB and 8GB and can then add up to nine additional family members for £6 a month.
For £15 per month for each family member, the plan offers unlimited minutes and texts in addition to the shared data allowance.
Families taking out a Family Sharer Plan with at least two voice connections will also receive a free £25 voucher for Frankie and Benny’s or Chiquito.
Tracking usage
Customers using either Sharer Plan can track their data usage using O2’s My O2 app and will also receive text notifications when they’ve used 80% and 100% of their data allowance.
Customers who use 100% of their data allowance can then purchase additional data Bolt Ons from as little as £3.
Do other networks allow data sharing?
EE offers a 4G data sharing plan which allows four people to share a tariff plan with each getting unlimited calls and texts. If the group go over the data limit the device that exceeded the limit will be prompted to buy more data.
If you're already an EE customer, you can convert your existing phone plan into a shared plan. Your existing plan will become the 'Leader' and its data allowance can then be shared with up to four other devices and/or people. You can only be a ‘Leader’ if your existing tariff includes at least 750MB of data.
Vodafone offers Red+ which gives you one data allowance to share between your family’s smartphones and tablets with each device also having unlimited UK calls and texts.
Anyone already on a Red Pay monthly plan or Red SIM-only plan with 2GB data or more can be a ‘Leader’ and choose between a data allowance of 2GB, 4GB, 7GB, 10GB or 20GB which will be shared with the group. The leader can also cap and control how much data family members use by allocating individual allowances.
Plans start from £14 a month on 3G and £19 a month on 4G.
What to watch out for with shared data
The ‘leader’ on any shared data plan will be the account holder and is therefore financially responsible for the plan and the bill.
It’s important to keep an eye on any members of the group that go abroad as this could mean being billed for data roaming charges. It’s generally best to disable mobile data on your phone while overseas and rely on Wi-Fi instead.