Verizon won't penalize iPhone 5 owners for Wi-Fi bug
A glitch was chewing up cellular data instead of Wi-Fi data, but customers won't be charged for any overages, says Verizon.
Verizon iPhone 5 owners bit by Apple's Wi-Fi bug won't be charged for any excess cellular data used as a result, the carrier said today.
iPhone 5 and iOS 6 owners have been complaining of various problems with Wi-Fi networks since their release last month. For certain Verizon subscribers, the iPhone would actually use up cellular data while connected via Wi-Fi.
In response, Apple rolled out a software fix yesterday, at least for Verizon iPhone 5 users, that lets them update their devices to resolve the issue.
The bug could've easily racked up data overage charges for Verizon subscribers unaware that they were consuming cellular data. But Verizon is assuring customers they won't have to pay for the snafu.
The carrier sent CNET the following statement today from company spokesman Torod Neptune:
Under certain circumstances, iPhone 5 may use Verizon cellular data while the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Apple has a fix that is being delivered to Verizon customers right on their iPhone 5. Verizon Wireless customers will not be charged for any unwarranted cellular data usage.
The steps to apply the software fix are detailed on an Apple support page.
The fix may help Verizon iPhone 5 customers. But the Wi-Fi problem appears to be more widespread.
Several of the complaints on Apple's forums have come from people using an iPhone 4S, iPad, or another Apple device. AT&T subscribers have also noted Wi-Fi issues.
Some users say they can initially connect to their Wi-Fi networks but can't access data. Others have said that the Wi-Fi option is grayed out, preventing them from even establishing a connection.
Verizon iPhone 5 owners may now be happy, but Apple will need to delve further to resolve the full scope of Wi-Fi issues reported by iOS 6 users.
CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if the company responds.
