[Silver Joinee Rachel]

I am looking to join the 21st century and upgrade my mobile phone to ONE THAT COPES WITH THE INTERNET This is a very exciting prospect for me, as currently my phone calls and texts and that’s about it.

When I’m looking for a new phone contract, how much data usage do I actually need? I’m not sure how often I will use the internet... a bit I guess!

How much data do you use?

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

OOo I have recently made this big change in my life too. It is quite a wonderment.

I've got 500mb but I haven't had it for a whole month yet so can't really comment. But people told me that 500mb would be OK for general dilly-dallying.

I don't quite understand what it is that uses up the data though, or to what extent. It's a black art.

[Joinee Michelle]

I am a really heavy emailer/browser and get nowhere near my 500mb limit per month. I dont do a lot of downloading though.

[Au Joinee Rory]

I don't know my usual usage because it's nominally uncapped, but when I'm abroad and buying extra bundles for roaming I tend to go through 50MB in two or three days, which would work out around 500MB a month. I imagine that's higher than my at-home usage though.

[Gaz]

If you have wifi at home and/or don't do much more than emails and web browsing, 500mb a month is loads. If you watch a lot of video, download songs etc that'll get chewed up much faster, but as long as you save that sort of stuff for when you can get on wifi you'll have no trouble.

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

So when you're using wifi, does it not use up the data? Is that only when you're 3G-ing it?

[Captain K]

Mostly — that is, providing it's your own or public WiFi. If it's a network that the phone company provide, which you find in some venues like hotels, it's part of the package in some deals.

[Joinee Snowberry]

I can't be bothered with mine as it takes so long to load. However, bear in mind that I am in Cornwall!

[Gaz]

Captain K, on 15 September 2011 - 10:01 PM, said:

Mostly — that is, providing it's your own or public WiFi. If it's a network that the phone company provide, which you find in some venues like hotels, it's part of the package in some deals.

Also, you can still use data when you're not on 3G too - it's just much, much slower on GPRS or EDGE. So depending on your phone's settings, you might have to make sure data is specifically switched off if you're abroad/only want to use wifi, as opposed to just 3G.

Also, I allegedly get free BT hotspot wifi with my contract. I've had four phones on three different formats and have NEVER got it to work.

[Lethal Biddle]

Here's a useful little table thing.

I mean, it's wrong &/or a massive over simplification. But indicated the levels at which you can operate at 300mb & 5gb, so you can imagine what the 500mb figures would look like. It basically goes Video>Audio>Text in terms of how heavy things impact your limit, so if you're avoiding youtube & streaming video then on the whole you should be fine.
Also yes, make sure you switch over from 3G to a local wireless network if you pop round a friends or into a coffee shop with wireless etc. to save a bit of bandwidth.

[Worm]

500MB is plenty for me, but I don't actually use the data connection that much.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Go with 3 mobile. Unlimited innit.

[Chez]

I get unlimited data with Orange.

[Joinee Laker]

GJ Hannah B-R, on 16 September 2011 - 02:31 PM, said:

Go with 3 mobile. Unlimited innit.

Speaking as someone who works in that particular industry, My advice would be to check the small print of any 'Unlimited' data deal. Many networks advertise an unlimited service, but enforce a 'fair usage' policy, meaning that you may get charged should you consistently use high amounts.

As far as bundle size goes, 500MB and above is generally fine, provided you aren't streaming hours and hours of video, or downloading loads of MP3's.

This post has been edited by Joinee Laker: 16 September 2011 - 04:00 PM

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Joinee Laker, on 16 September 2011 - 03:59 PM, said:

Speaking as someone who works in that particular industry, My advice would be to check the small print of any 'Unlimited' data deal. Many networks advertise an unlimited service, but enforce a 'fair usage' policy, meaning that you may get charged should you consistently use high amounts.

Checked this thoroughly, it really is unlimited. All they will do if they think you are downloading a high amount of dodgy stuff is slow your internet speed down.

[Silver Joinee Rachel]

That's really helpful everyone, thank you I think I will go for 500mb... I'm sure whichever company I go with will be more than happy to switch me to a higher usage contract if it turns out I need it.

I will probably stick with o2 in terms of company, just so I can keep getting £5 off per month on my broadband

[Gaz]

Silver Joinee Rachel, on 16 September 2011 - 07:38 PM, said:

That's really helpful everyone, thank you I think I will go for 500mb... I'm sure whichever company I go with will be more than happy to switch me to a higher usage contract if it turns out I need it.

I will probably stick with o2 in terms of company, just so I can keep getting £5 off per month on my broadband

One quick warning - O2 have recently changed their broadband and lowest phone tariffs. The phone one I'm on (iPhone SIMplicity 15) doesn't exist anymore and the cheapest I can get similar will be £20 - and I can get the same or similar deals elsewhere for £10 on at least 2 other networks. The broadband prices also changed, and the lowest tier one isn't as good now (but the middle one is better - but costs more too) So I totted it up and I'd save more moving than I would with the £5 off broadband.

Hopefully come contract renewal time they'll make me an offer, but I'm slightly annoyed to say the least. Otherwise O2 have been great, but not £120 a year extra for the same as I can get somewhere else great.

[joinee wolfman]

does anyone know if Three are good in general? i've just taken a deal with them but people say their coverage isn't as good as other providers. needless to say, i didn't ask the right questions when i signed up so i hope i don't regret it.

[GJ Drought]

A couple of things i'd like to add( given that i work on the team that ultimately you speak to when you get a shockingly scary bill)

1) 500 MB will cover you fine for using the internet etc, only if you decide to start streaming radio, tv etc could it become a problem, and even then most likly due to their fair use policys theyre just going to restrict you for the remainder of your billing period.(so that next month you'll be back to normal) , but do ask them if you will get charged.

2) if you go away on holiday and leave the country you MUST MUST MUST turn off "data roaming" or speak to your provider before you go ( depending on the cost of the packages they offer for holiday usage, you may be better unlocking your phone ( called a subsidy pin), taking it with you and getting a pay as you go sim from the country you are visiting.

3) when using wifi abroad, be aware that if you loose reception, or stray too far from the signal your phone will connect to the next best signal which is likly to be a local phone network and hence charge you a fortune.


4) shop around. im with O2 and am really happy with them. ( and no i dont work for them! )




Many of my conversations are with people who have added internet to their phone and then gone on holiday to the caribean or somewhere and decided to email...watch tv etc from their phone, and then get shitty with me because the country they have visited has charged them £2000 for using their internet! ( they like it even less when i advise them they have to pay and we cannot reduce the charges! ... not kidding!)

This post has been edited by GJ Drought: 21 September 2011 - 12:10 PM