A tale of two huge tethering phone bills

Two differing stories:

- Verizon refuses to budge on an $18,000 phone bill related to data tethering: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/04/30/family_provider_far_apart_over_nearly_18000_phone_bill/

- O2 Ireland, by contrast, are very reasonable and understanding when faced with the same situation: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/pricewatch/2010/0510/1224270042034.html

It's worth quoting the O2 Ireland response, since it contrasts so much with Verizon's hardline attitude:

“When we see abnormal data use, we look into it and we find reasons that explain it, such as a customer buying a prepay smartphone with data capability, putting their old SIM into it without adding a data add-on to their account. These cases are exceptional and we deal with them as proactively as possible,” she says. Usage patterns are a good indicator of whether or not a customer is aware of what costs they are incurring on data. “If we see unusual activity we contact the customer directly . . . reach an agreement that is manageable.”