o2 will tomorrow launch a joint Mobile and Fixed line broadband package called Broadband Home and Away

o2 will launch a new broadband package that consists of Mobile Broadband with Free Home Broadband. The package will cost £20 per month for with a 3gb data allowance while out and about and also 8mb unlimited fixed line broadband. It also includes unlimited WiFi at any of The Clouds Hotspots. The offer will be available to New and Existing customers between 1st August and 31st October 2008. The fixed line broadband is only free if you are covered by o2's LLU exchanges. These cover around 60% of the uk's population.

Sally Cowdry, Marketing Director of o2 had this to say: “Whether our customers are watching a video or playing a game online at home, or browsing the internet on their laptop while on the move, our combined Broadband package is the perfect combination to help them stay connected wherever they are,”

The standard broadband of upto 8mb can also be upgraded to higher speeds if available for an additional cost. The free broadband lasts for 12 months.

"3" Mobile Broadband currently costs £7.50/m for 5GB. So in comparison O2's Home Broadband is hardly "Free".

But that is only on their network - so is very limited, it doesn't drop back to 2G when out of coverage and doesn't include WiFi.
But as O2's 8Meg BB is only £7.50/month it does mean you are paying £12.50 for the 3Gb +WiFi which while reasonable you'd have to want the BB as well. Not a bad offer but not stunning IMHO

Notable that they say "The free broadband lasts for 12 months".

What do they mean by that - that this is a 12 month contract... or that the price is offered at this rate for 12 months only, and then even if you agree to stay a Customer thereafter, the cost is not necessarily that cheap in year two...

Worth a clarification first, as otherwise, this is a pretty darn good package for those who can get it (LLU exchange etc).

I think the Mobile Broadband is still a 18 Month Contract....

But the Home Broadband is only for 12 months so you could cancel that after 12 months if you wanted to.

It isn't that great a deal as o2 mobile customers get a £5 discount off the Home Broadband anyway, and that is for as long as you are a mobile customer....