Earlier today, we posted a report from TNW that showed UK carrier O2, had been transmitting phone numbers to every website visited via their 2G or 3G network.

After the backlash on Twitter, O2 acknowledged and fixed the issue at 2pm GMT today, followed by an apology on their blog, including a Q&A to explain exactly what happened and who was affected.

We have seen the report published this morning suggesting the potential for disclosure of customers’ mobile phone numbers to website owners. We investigated, identified and fixed it this afternoon. We would like to apologise for the concern we have caused.

The issue occurred after a routine maintenance update on January 10th, that accidentally sent user phone numbers to website hosts, along with the standard log of technical information required from the device.

Q: Why did this happen? A: Technical changes we implemented as part of routine maintenance had the unintended effect of making it possible in certain circumstances for website owners to see the mobile numbers of those browsing their site.

Technical information is normally sent to websites so that servers can deliver a ‘device-optimised’ experience. Carriers add your phone number to this information, when sending data to ‘trusted partners’, to enable services that require; age verification, premium-content billing, and carrier specific services.

It seems that O2 have fixed the problem now, but after 15 days… is it too little, too late?

Source: O2 Blog

Google has updated their Google Voice app for the iPhone, including complete integration with Sprint to allow calls to be sent directly to the 3rd party app rather than the stock Phone app. Here’s the complete update log:

• Multi-recipient texting, with contact autocomplete.
• Sprint integration support: sends all calls to the native dialer when the phone is integrated with Sprint
• Multi-line text entry field with character count.
• 1-touch Copy/Paste in dialpad

This is rather big news, and somewhat surprising that Sprint would allow this to happen. Given the nature of most carriers these days, letting subscribers bypass their network completely is a good indication that Sprint has their ears open and are actually listening to the requests of their user-base.

Google Voice is available in the App Store for free and compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch.

• Free – App Store Link

Have an app you’d love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Curious how to configure access to a VPN client on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec VPN support are all built right into iOS and we’ll show you how to set them up after the break!

One thing to note is that you’ll need to make sure you have all the settings and information about your VPN service handy. Some companies will not allow mobile access to a VPN, and some carriers limit 3G VPN access to business accounts, so that’s another thing you’ll need to check on before attempting to add one.

These screenshots show iPhone setup but iPod touch and iPad are similar.

First you’ll need to configure your VPN by adding the settings for your VPN (in most cases, these are provided by the system administrator or IT person at your company).

To configure your VPN, do the follow:

1. Tap Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap Network
4. Tap VPN
5. Tap Add VPN Configuration

6. Along the top you will see some tabs, you’ll need to select which type of configuration you need. In most cases, you’ll choose IPSec (unless your system administrator has told you different). For this example, I’ve used IPSec.
7. Enter the information for your VPN in the corresponding fields. If you used a proxy, make sure to enable it towards the bottom of the settings page.

8. Tap Save

You’ve now configured your VPN for use. Now you’ll need to turn it on.

1. From your homescreen, tap Settings

2. Under the main settings page, you’ll now see a VPN option, this only appears when you have a VPN configured. Toggle the switch to On

3. Your phone should connect to the VPN. If an error message pops up, go back into your VPN settings and make sure all your settings are input correctly.

That’s it! If you guys have ever used this, let us know your input too. Have any issues setting up a VPN? Check out our TiPb Forums to get helpful from many of our awesome community members.

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to . (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

Now that we all just pretty take it for granted that the Verizon iPhone will be announced tomorrow and ship around the end of the month we can start sweating the details like — will Verizon’s network be able to handle the AT&T-crushing load and will they still offer unlimited data plans. According to “a person familiar with the matter” (probably not Steve Jobs, right?), the Wall Street Journal says the answer to both questions is “yes”:

Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest wireless carrier, is confident enough in its network that it will offer unlimited data-use plans when it starts selling the iPhone around the end of this month [...] Such plans would provide a key means of distinguishing its service from rival AT&T Inc., which limits how much Internet data such as videos and photos its customers may use each month.

AT&T switched to 256MB and 2GB plans back in June 2010 and while Verizon is rumored to be doing likewise, staying with unlimited just long enough to launch the iPhone is probably the smart play. As to capacity:

“Whether they are iPhones or Droids, they are smartphones,” Verizon Chief Executive Ivan G. Seidenberg said in a mid-November interview. “Regardless of the mix, we are prepared to carry more data.”

Droids/Androids are already hitting Verizon’s CDMA network in large numbers and iPhone will hit it again like a freight train, so it will be interesting to see if Verizon can really back up their claims.

Of course, Verizon’s current EVDO Rev-A network can’t handle voice and data at the same time, so unlike AT&T, Verizon iPhone users won’t be able to talk and surf the web at the same time. Will that lighten the load, or simply put the pressure on Verizon to roll out an updated EVDO Rev-A network (since they’re skipping the voice/data friendly Rev-B and going straight to LTE, which it doesn’t look like Apple will be supporting for a while still…)

If unlimited data and better network reliability are really in the cards, does that encourage you to consider Verizon for your next iPhone?

[WSJ]

Today AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson spoke with CNBC in a lengthy interview. Discussed first was the relationship AT&T has with Apple and how the iPad is doing in the business sector.

“I think this is going to be really a significant product for enterprise. You think about, you know, our objective is just to mobilize everything. Whether it’s in the home or the workplace, this is a device that really lets you think differently about mobilizing all of the applications that you see in business. And we’re getting a strong interest from our large business customers on bringing this device into their environments, and whether it’s working with the salesforce, whether it’s order takers, any number of areas, are really excited about bringing this device in.”

Skipping near the end of the interview Stephenson touches on AT&T’s network improvements – mainly in New York.

“The uptake and the demand was dramatic, and there are particular markets like New York. The demand was really impressive, and it had an effect on voice quality. We have been going hard at the voice quality issue in New York, and made tremendous progress. And so, we’re getting to a point where voice quality is getting to where it should be, and mobile broadband is the fastest in the nation. as measured by any number of independent people.”

So how about it New Yorkers, has the quality of your service increased or are you still stuck with dropped call after dropped call? Sound off in the comments below!

It’s too bad nobody brought up the question about the iPhone 4 launch issues that are still continuing as of right now. To be fair to AT&T though, Sprints whole system was shut down from the EVO launch for a few hours. How many EVO’s were sold on launch? Now compare that to the amount of iPhone 4 pre-orders were happening today (presumably a much higher number).

Apple needs to get on more than one network in the US.

[Mac Rumors]

AT&T still remains reluctant to introduce US iPhone customers to tethering and judging from their latest response to Engadget’s inquiry, we wouldn’t expect it anytime too soon.

“iPhone tethering has the potential to exponentially increase traffic, and we need to ensure that we’re able to deliver excellent performance for the feature – over and above the increases in data traffic we’re already seeing – before we will offer the feature.”

Admitting their network is not up the challenge of providing tethering to iPhone users just yet gets them some points for at least being honest. However, with Verizon now offering MiFi-like free mobile hotspot service to all Palm Pre Plus owners, however, and Sprint intending to paid hotspot service for the EVO 4G when it arrives, the competitive ball is racing towards AT&T’s court.

Here’s an idea — how about this June/July when the iPhone HD/iPhone4G AT&T gives us a mobile hotspot app for that?

[Engadget]

According to emails sent from AT&T employees to MacDailyNews readers, the network is working hard to enable iPhone tethering as soon as possible. Many of our readers are still waiting patiently to see when AT&T will flip the switch on iPhone tethering and if you contact AT&T the following are the contents of the cookie cutter reply you will receive in your inbox.

“Thank you for your recent email to AT&T. Tethering the iPhone is a priority for us and we are working hard to make it available as soon as possible. As you might imagine, we want to make sure that we deliver a quality customer experience from the start. We don’t have details yet but will be sure to make a news announcement when tethering becomes available. Thanks again for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to write.”

We know what you may be thinking but lets give AT&T the benefit of the doubt here and lets pretend we see tethering enabled in the near future, would you prefer to have it implemented right the first time or are you simply sick of waiting and want it enabled now? Or could you care less?

Sound off in the comments below!

[Via MacDailyNews]

AT&T has openly admitted that they have selected Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson as their LTE equipment suppliers and even better is the fact they are on track for a 2011 LTE rollout. 2011 is dead on with the information we gave you almost one year ago stating that LTE would in fact be here on AT&T in 2011 with the slight chance it would be delayed until 2012.

Now don’t fret when it comes to the existing 3G network that many of you have issues with. AT&T promises to keep working to improve that for you as well. They are not abandoning you… yet.

It is important to remember that sometimes plans do change, so don’t shoot the messenger if things don’t pan out next year.

[Via Engadget]

The US Government seems to be a bit concerned about Apple’s iPad, fearing its release in combination with the iPhone and other data-heavy devices, will wreak havoc on wireless networks.

Phil Bellaria of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau recently published in his blog his concerns about the future of our data networks.

“With the iPad pointing to even greater demand for mobile broadband on the horizon, we must ensure that network congestion doesn’t choke off a service that consumers clearly find so appealing or frustrate mobile broadband’s ability to keep us competitive in the global broadband economy.”

He then brings us back to 1996 to remind us of the time AOL first introduced unlimited data and how that particular instance brought about major connection trouble for all of it’s users. AOL, after the fact, then took the appropriate actions in beefing up it’s network to allow for all of that traffic. In regards to the iPad it seems like Apple has been closely working with AT&T to make sure network improvements are made being the products release.

Does Phil have a valid point? Should we be worried about our data networks? Sound off in the comments below (especially if you life in SF or NYC…)!

[Via TUAW]

Boy Genius‘ sources have been hearing that AT&T has been meeting with their regional executives to discuss network changes that will soon be taking place in order to handle the load of “unannounced” devices that will use “heavy data”.

iTablet and/or 4th generation iPhone perhaps?

“Heavy data” use has led AT&T to talk about tiered data pricing plans in the past. When these “unannounced” devices appear on their network, would you be surprised to see AT&T spring that on us as well?

[Via BGR]

The UK’s leading provider of mobile phones, O2, is openly admitting to having iPhone related network issues. It seems AT&T might not be alone after all, as O2 chief executive Ronan Dunne recently let out the secret that the last 6 months the iPhone had overwhelmed its network in London. Of course, O2 is claiming that the issues are all fixed and the network is as healthy as ever.

O2 iPhone owners have suffered through some of the same issues as some AT&T customers have experienced – dropped calls, data inconsistency, etc… So the big question is what has O2 done to solve the issue at hand? They’ve gone and spent a ton of money on the network to meet it’s demand including adding 200 additional mobile towers in the areas of need.

Any of our readers currently on the O2 network care to comment on your current service? Let us know in the comments below!

[Via 9to5Mac]

It seems as if AT&T is gearing up to launch their HSPA 7.2 in the Dallas area, making good on their promise of having it rolled out in 6 major cities 1 major city in the US. (If anyone in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, or Miami is seeing signs of the boost yet, let us know).

This is indeed the right time for AT&T to give their network a boost, especially with image the latest Verizon “map for that” commercials portray.

With these upgrades, you should have a better wireless experience with more capacity on our network and improved coverage inside your home and other buildings throughout the DFW area. Look for improved coverage in area communities like Allen, Arlington, Carrollton, Colleyville, Dallas, Denton, Ft. Worth, Frisco, Garland, Grapevine, Grand Prairie, Irving, Keller, Mesquite, McKinney, Lewisville, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Southlake and more. We updated nearly 1,000 cell sites in these areas! The fastest gets faster! AT&T has the fastest network in Dallas/Ft. Worth* and we’re excited to announce that Dallas will be among the first 6 major U.S. cities in which AT&T plans to upgrade its existing 3G technology to HSPA 7.2.** This new upgrade will provide considerably faster mobile broadband speeds, and we plan to make it available by the end of the year.

AT&T claims to have spent 50 million to improve their 850 mhz network in Dallas alone. That should mean pristine service for those enough luck enough to be a resident of the Dallas area. At least you that’s what one would hope…

[Thanks to David for the tip!]

A few weeks back we mentioned a little blurb about 4G and when we may start to see it. Even though AT&T announced its decision to deploy Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology for its 4G network, they are confident they can get more life from their 3G network by tweaking it, and in doing so give them more time to perfect their future network. (I know what you are thinking… maybe they should have taken more time to perfect their current network!)

Yesterday at the 4G Executive Summit in Chicago, AT&T’s VP of Architecture Hank Kafka spoke out and put to rest any perceived urgency on the part of the carrier to push out a 4G network saying:

The introduction of the 3G iPhone at AT&T Mobility has made a huge impact in showing people how to use handsets to connect to the Internet, but it’s just the beginning of wireless broadband. Now we’re on the verge of that creativity being unleashed.

Kafka said he’d be surprised if LTE wasn’t available “within five years”. And within those 5 years, AT&T “has a lot of runway left with HSPA and HSPA-plus.” We can only hope.

So please, I beg of you, unleash that creativity on us all. I’m sure we are all ready for it.

[Via AppleInsider]

Just prior to the original iPhone’s release, AT&T’s operation “Fine Edge” brought faster, stronger, better 2.5 / 2.75G speed to the GSM masses. This year, in a strangely reminiscent move, reports are coming in that AT&T is showing their 3G HSPA network the same type of love:

For the past few months we’ve been seeing average download speeds between 500 – 800 kbps with a spike here and there. This morning’s tests however, are yielding between 1400 – 1500 kbps.

Gee, could another iPhone release be on the horizon?

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