This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-12238367
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Microsoft explains Windows phone 7 'phantom data' | Microsoft explains Windows phone 7 'phantom data' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Microsoft has confirmed that some handsets running its Windows Phone 7 software are sending and receiving "phantom data". | Microsoft has confirmed that some handsets running its Windows Phone 7 software are sending and receiving "phantom data". |
Earlier this year, users complained on net forums that their phones were automatically eating into their monthly data plans without their knowledge. | Earlier this year, users complained on net forums that their phones were automatically eating into their monthly data plans without their knowledge. |
Microsoft said its investigation found that most problems were caused by an unnamed "third party" service. | |
However, it said it was still looking into other potential faults. | However, it said it was still looking into other potential faults. |
"We are in contact with the third party to assist them in making the necessary fixes," a spokesperson said. | "We are in contact with the third party to assist them in making the necessary fixes," a spokesperson said. |
The firm also said that it was looking into "potential workarounds" until the issue was solved. | The firm also said that it was looking into "potential workarounds" until the issue was solved. |
"At this point in our investigation, we believe this is responsible for most of the reported incidents. | "At this point in our investigation, we believe this is responsible for most of the reported incidents. |
It said that the problem seemed to only affect "a small (low single-digit) percentage of Windows Phone customers". | It said that the problem seemed to only affect "a small (low single-digit) percentage of Windows Phone customers". |
'Root cause' | 'Root cause' |
The problem surfaced in early January with some owners of phones running Windows Phone 7, claiming that their phone was sending "between 30 and 50MB of data" every day; an amount that would eat into a 1GB allowance in 20 days. | The problem surfaced in early January with some owners of phones running Windows Phone 7, claiming that their phone was sending "between 30 and 50MB of data" every day; an amount that would eat into a 1GB allowance in 20 days. |
Most complainants were based in the US. | Most complainants were based in the US. |
"I received an e-mail from AT&T saying that I was close to my 2GB data limit which truly shocked me as I feel I do not use data that much," a phone owner called Julie told Paul Thurrott's supersite for Windows. | "I received an e-mail from AT&T saying that I was close to my 2GB data limit which truly shocked me as I feel I do not use data that much," a phone owner called Julie told Paul Thurrott's supersite for Windows. |
"I went and looked at my AT&T account online and noticed that my phone was sending huge chunks of data seemingly in patterns." | "I went and looked at my AT&T account online and noticed that my phone was sending huge chunks of data seemingly in patterns." |
Another, writing on Howard Forums, said that they had noticed that the phone's "idle data usage is around 2-5MB per hour". | Another, writing on Howard Forums, said that they had noticed that the phone's "idle data usage is around 2-5MB per hour". |
Microsoft has admitted that not all problems may have the same root cause and has said it was still "investigating" other potential reasons for the fault. | Microsoft has admitted that not all problems may have the same root cause and has said it was still "investigating" other potential reasons for the fault. |
"We are continuing to investigate this issue and will update with additional information and guidance as it becomes available," the spokesperson said. | "We are continuing to investigate this issue and will update with additional information and guidance as it becomes available," the spokesperson said. |
Windows Phone 7 was launched in October 2010 to acclaim by manufacturers and users. | Windows Phone 7 was launched in October 2010 to acclaim by manufacturers and users. |
It is considered the company's first credible challenge to rival operating systems from Apple, Google, Research in Motion and Nokia. | It is considered the company's first credible challenge to rival operating systems from Apple, Google, Research in Motion and Nokia. |
Previous version
1
Next version