narutoninjakid

I have an LG esteem and I have the 45$ family plan or 50$ 4g lte plan and I Only get 1gb of data. I was reading some articles and got confused. What does my data count as used for. I also read that when you use the metro apps the data won't count against you is this true. By using the metro IM/social app will that count as my data usage {I want to used it for Twitter and facebook if data is free} any clarification whatsoever is welcome!

dportal2006

That 1gb of data only counts if you use Metro Studio. I called Metro because i was having that exact same question. He told me accessing the web was unlimited and didn't count towards the cap. Youtube is also unlimited so don't worry about that.

If you still have any doubts you should call Metro just in case. I honestly don't trust them very much but i have not had any problem with regards with the cap since i don't use metro studio. Their customer service is pretty bad and their description of their policies is even worse. I think you can use twitter and facebook with no problems.

danyvw

I've the same plan ($45 family originaly $50) never used MetroStudio or any streaming app like Pandora or Rapsody and in my metro account appear that in 20 days I have used 46% of all my data, for the moment is ok for me but till now I don't know which apps count for that 1Gb.

juan12456

ive never used metro studio. I do use streaming apps like Pandora and Iheart radio. Those apps do not count towards the 1gb cap. I've noticed that youtube seems to be the only thing that has caused my data usage bar to rise.

incubi

I am also very confused about this every time I call and ask I either get some one that says 60$ plan or just some one that doesn't understand.

JayBondzeWell

Its not an app but the network that recognizes how much internet data is used so the only to get around is thru wifi. Pandora does use bjt very little

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ChazzMatt

That is NOT true. If you are saying the 1GB cap is for all data, that is misinformation you are spreading. The 1GB cap is not is not 1GB total. Only certain types of data count towards the cap.

Here's my mobile data for this month so far. Almost 400 MB. I have less than a week left until end of my billing period:



Now here's what MetroPCS says I've used towards my 1GB cap:



Nada. Nothing. Zero. I've not used any of the data they measure. Yet I HAVE used almost 400MB of data! They say I've used zero of the type they care about.

So, it's not a 1GB total cap. It's 1GB of streaming media, like Netflix or streaming music.

______________

If you have the $50 LTE plan, you can sign into your MetroPCS account online and SEE how much data you've used towards the cap. If you have the $60 LTE unlimited plan, they don't show you that because it doesn't matter. I downgraded to the $50 plan ($45 with family plan) and I have kept track of my data, just to make sure.

Besides the online chart, I also download a free data measurement app from the Adnroid Market. (screenshot at top). It shows you mobile, roaming (not relevant with Metro), and wifi data use. (Over on the wifi side I've used almost 1GB data, but since it's wifi, it doesn't matter in this discussion.)

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Last edited by ChazzMatt; December 6th, 2011 at 06:58 AM.

danyvw

I don't have any streaming app, no Netflix, no radio app, no Google music and according to Metro I've used 46%. The only apps I use is web, market, speedtest, email (gmail and hotmail) maps (almost nothing) and youtube. From where are those 460 Mb?

Last edited by danyvw; December 6th, 2011 at 07:04 AM.

ChazzMatt

1) if you've used 460MB (46%) of the type data that Metro measures in 20 days, you are in good shape. You are 2/3 through your billing cycle and you've used less than 50%. So you can go crazy these last 10 days!

2) You can see from my data app screenshot, I'm using about the same as you -- speedtest is my #1 data app. After that I use email, etc. So, based on what you say, I'm not sure why you are showing data use on your Metro account and I'm not. I do have a suggestion: download the free data app so you can keep track for yourself and see what is using so much data.

It's called My Data Manager, and it's free. You can set up your limit (1GB or 1024MB) and your billing cycle. Then you'll know for sure if something is sucking data. Go ahead and install it now, so that both the app and Metro's online chart will be in sync for your next billing cycle.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm&hl=en

Last edited by ChazzMatt; December 6th, 2011 at 07:29 AM.

danyvw

Thanx Chazz I will download My Data Manager right now to double check.
This is my Metro count.

.

paintballer24

i dont know about you guys but my internet speed is really dumpy so i use my cell for everything including connecting my xbox to it i download games and demos,watch netflix and hulu everyday all the time and never have had any unexpected charges apply

incubi

With the 50 dollar plan?

danyvw

I've not been charged (only used 46%) but will like to know what data shows your metro account?

Jeyd02

not to throw you out of the topic... but simply just get the $60 plan. case resolved...

nuked

another example of Metro's data usage and the My Data Manager mobile usage for my Esteem for November.

Last edited by nuked; December 7th, 2011 at 10:41 PM.

JayBondzeWell

i agree with jedyo2. but being with other companies and talking to managers for at&t. im sorry to say chazzmatt. but you are mistaken. but its best to agree to disagree. at&t tells you that once u on the net. the signal frequency is different than that of a phone call which does towards charging for net. but who knows. maybe metro is diffrent =]

ShinySide

Dial ##786# and youll see how much youve used.

JayBondzeWell

What am I looking for?

JWhipple

Seems that only shows since last hard/soft reset... Because I know good and well I've used more than 45mb that it shows :-)

starstress

glad I found this thread cause I was wondering too, just gonna switch to the $60 plan and call it a day

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ChazzMatt

Why? Why pay $10 extra for nothing? Look at the data charts we posted. We are using 500, 700 megs but it's not the kind of data Metro measures.

starstress

yeah maybe your right, our monitor the situation before I make that $10 leap

ShinySide

"This meter is for your convenience. Depending upon your current data usage,percentages presented may not be up to date."
"For a more accurate presentation of your data turn off your headset and then access My Account"

^ Comprehend that? Also do you really think its in real time?

Also Easy Wifi DOES automatically connect to an open wifi signal. I proved that today when I updated one of my Esteems and it automatically connected, by its self when I turn wifi on, to my neighbors wifi.

And I completely understand what is being discussed and I can also completely see, comprehend, and understand your comments as you just display again are geared to belittle users because you "stay informed from reading on the internet" So re-read my post again and maybe you'll comprehend what I said. No where did I say you were wrong no where did I say you were right. So step of the horse and realize what I really said in my post because obviously you didnt comprehend any of it.

And congrats on the "Thanks" seriously thanks for helping users of the forum.


PS Editing your post 10 times before you are satisfied when some one is replying to you is a little much.

Last edited by ShinySide; December 21st, 2011 at 07:48 AM.

Jeyd02

sry to post this again but ^!!!!, and avoid any problems..

PlayfulGod

I will put it this way, what your phone shows and what a application on a website shows do not prove a thing. For one the website application is most cases isnt real time as it would eat up too much bandwidth unnecessarily. Of course an app on your phone should show accurately, but not a website. And if you havent noticed Metro's website sux. But rest assure you are not getting away with anything that mero doesnt know about. And for all those abusing it by tethering their xbox (thx for laggy the lobbies up for the rest of us) laptop etc, dont cry when they crack down on it like all the other carriers are doing.

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Jeyd02

true that, and this is what i was trying to emphasizes, "these companies" now EVEN let you go over the limits so that when you have to pay the bill they charged you for every little kilobytes you have exceeded, come on people they are not Dumb, they know... this could be a misguided method for you to fall in their trap? maybe, but remember, we all know every of those apps use data. now, you do the math...

ChazzMatt

I never said the Metro meter was "real time", but it does show the vast difference when someone has used 700 mb data over the course of the month, and Metro's meter only shows 40MB. That PROVES there's a difference in what is downloaded and what is actually measured. I myself had that exact experience over an entire month. Do you understand that? I check almost daily. Do you want me to post my screenshots every day for a month to show the difference? Then for someone just below me to call me out and say I was wrong...


First, about Easy Wi-fi. There is a ton of misinformation out there. Someone -- I don't remember who -- tried to claim Easy W-fi put our secure home networks in their database so that our secure home networks could be connected to by anyone with an Easy WiFi app. THAT was a lie and I proved it. It took lots of posts back and forth, but I conclusively proved that was total misinformation. That was when I contacted Easy Wi-Fi and got more facts. They also told me how I could verify what they were saying was true.

Easy Wi-fi will not automatically connect to an open network that is not in Easy Wi-Fi's network database, unless you manually connect to it. It does provide automatic connection to hotspots in the Easy Wi-Fi network.

Now, if your neighbor's OPEN network has been reported and verified by several Easy Wi-fi users, then this open network perhaps has been added to the Easy Wi-fi network? Then, yes, your Esteem would automatically connect to it, if you have the "connect automatically to hotspots" box checked in the app settings.

You can override that by unchecking "automatically connect to hotspots" Some people want to automatically connect to hotspots, so that option is there.

ShinySide

Again I never said you were wrong and I never said you were right.



Yeah according to the Easy Wifi app it doesnt recognize her house/wifi as a hot spot at all. It didnt 7 months ago when I was running the Ascend. The red X is me the green is her. Hers is the only one unlocked that I can pick up on the phone and on the comp, her routers name is her name so I know its hers, which she knows I use. But who knows. Ties to Metro so who knows how accurate and up to date it is.

PlayfulGod

Dunno dont use it, del it every chance I get lol. the builtin stuff works just fine

ShinySide

Im forced to keep it. Thats the phone running the C version and since no root stuck with it for now Ahaha The one still running B is 100% Metro crapware free tho which is the one Ive been using because The C version one has no service right now

ChazzMatt

The discussion was centered on the point that Metro does NOT count all data towards the 1GB cap -- on purpose. Only CERTAIN TYPES of data count. Of course, Metro knows all the data you access on their network. But Metro does not have a simplistic "total data" cap -- which is what some were claiming. I used 400 MB data last month on my phone, over the Metro network and Metro said I used ZERO. Yes, they know I used 400 MB, but for the purposes of the $50 LTE plan, that 400 MB didn't count.






Yes, their online meter is not real time. Yes, you might download something right now and it may not show up for a few minutes or whenever. So what? I still used 400 MB data last month -- over the course of the month -- and at the end of the month, Metro said none of that mattered. I used ZERO MB of the type counted towards the 1GB cap. So, I saved $10 by downgrading to the $50 LTE plan, instead of the unlimited $60 plan.

And others have posted similar screenshots.

No one is attempting to get away with anything, as far as pointing out the that Metro's $50 LTE plan (1 GB cap) would probably work for most people, instead of the $60 unlimited cap. Save yourself $10!

You are totally correct that illegal tethering is due for a crackdown. I hope it's soon.

PlayfulGod

Yea that mainly due to poorly monitoring or just a lack of concern. When I had my ascend on metro I had the $45 plan at the time n had unlimited everything lol. But I doubt it has anything to do with using metro apps or other apps that do a better job lol (mentioned sumwhere in this thread ).

ChazzMatt

Sorry, but I posted screenshots proving I am right. Another member posted screenshots proving I am right.

Metro does not measure all data towards the 1GB cap for the $50 LTE plan. Yes, they can see all the data, but not all that data counts because they allow some categories.

I don't know why this is such a hard idea to believe. I and others have shown proof.

_____

For those that don't know, Metro is doing this on purpose. This is their STATED POLICY -- a 1GB cap on certain data, NOT all data. So, we are not just speculating. Metro says that they are doing this -- it's not a total data 1GB cap, it's a cap for certain types of data.

Their policy for LTE plan is $50 and $60 for smartphones (Androids). $60 is totally unlimited. $50 is unlimited for some categories of data, but 1GB cap on other categories. That is their publicly stated, publicly posted policies.

And the data meter from our Metro online accounts prove this. These screenshots are not just one screen shot. I tracked that for an entire month, just to make sure the $50 LTE plan worked for me. Another member here posted his total data use, plus the screenshot showing what Metro counted, which was just a fraction of his total use.

It's not that Metro can't track it -- that is NOT what we are saying. It's just that Metro chooses to only count certain types of data for the 1GB cap. Most people don't need to pay the extra $10 for totally "unlimited" in the $60 plan.

It's like the government choosing to tax only certain types of income, not all income.

Last edited by ChazzMatt; December 21st, 2011 at 08:25 PM.

Martin714

hey do u guys know if the 1GB will count if i were to use like a weather clock like the one it comes with

Lieblos

I simply want to know if using Pandora radio counts against my limit. It seems MetroPCS hires idiots who can't explain simple things. I never see data usage but I want to be certain in case I downgrade my limit

abugarcia

Cant' understand the fuss...
I'm on the $40 plan ( yeah! im cheap ) why:
since metropcs is a prepaid plan they can't overcharge me if I go over the limit they just cut the 4G until next month. If that happen just call metro to upgrade the plan and you'll have back the 4G in no time and pay next month the proportional part...

BTW:since the 4G speed is not that fast I dont use that much the data (Ill try to use WiFi) but I never went over my limit...

just try to lower your plan , if does not work for you: just go back to were you are now. Nothing to lose and maybe save some bucks

horsecharles

This is the most sensible advice.
And hopefully to settle this once and for all:
Youtube does count toward usage.

If you don't do music or video, the minimum plan will allow you unlimited web with no adverse effects.
I'm also on that $40 plan because i don't stream video or audio on it(i download & update a lot of apps w/o getting throttled down at all ever)unless if there's wifi available, but i'm usually near a comp at work, home, or carrying my laptop anyway.

It's not to be cheap, but on a family plan X 5 phones it helps.
Although it would be worthwhile in place of cable, to stream to tv.

Don't rely on what someone in a store tells you-- either thru sheer ignorance or ulterior profit motive-- they can tell you something as extreme as the $40 plan is unavailable on your smartphone... if you then prove them wrong, usually they'll come back with something like,"yeah, but you won't get 4g, or you won't have any data / won't be able to download, etc." all nonsense of course.

I haven't suffered from any diminished speed or data limits or blocked access to any site, while on the $40 100mb data Plan.

Now, any of this could change once the 4g uncapping is complete and/or tethering plans arrive, but for now...
...and someone could possibly have a trick i don't know about to get streaming while on the low plan

justainchoe

I know that youtube and web browsing is unlimited, and the 100MB or 1GB allowance is for "media streaming," but I don't think metropcs is sophisticated enough or cares enough to track that. metropcs is the champion of unlimited everything and even though they state it in their plans, I think the word "limit" is something that metropcs pretends to know the definition of. They just list that info on their plans because the other carriers do it and metro did it for congruency or to upsell their plans.

Does anyone know anyone who has had their 4G throttled/cut off? When I worked at metro, my account service rep told me that they did, but it didn't seem as if she knew for certain nor have I heard of any customers saying that it cut off.

Fuzzy13

The only time I've seen my data gauge move in my account is when Im using Youtube a lot. So I can so for a FACT that video streaming is counted towards data but NOT normal web browsing. That's why my 40 dollar plan suits me just fine

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gamer30168

Ive been a big fan of metro for years, even when one couldnt go past I285 perimeter In GA and get service. The Esteem is my first 4G phone and I decided to pony up the 60 dollars for unlimited streaming because the rep at the store said that youtube would count against the 1 gig cap, and knowing id be burning youtube up all day i said F' it! Ill pay it....and make up for it by making metro regret the day they ever gave me an unlimited plan....I mean to take full advantage of "unlimited" through wifi tethering, constant video streaming and whatever else i can do to satisfy me that my 60 a month is more than well spent

geetech84

I read somewhere MetroPCS changing their plan,

60 dollar plan not going be unlimited any more, its gonna be a 5GB cap...

While the 70 dollar plan is unlimited

Some people say, it goes take effect this Tuesday

Have anyone else heard of this ? Will anyone upgrade to the 70?

If its true, I believe it will suck, i got the 60 plan and i watch YouTube..n go online to check my fb, n my other sites, I use gps ..n i listen to my radio apps all the time..

ChazzMatt

Yeah, from now on supposedly ALL data will count, not just certain categories.

Also after a certain point, your speeds will be throttled unless you have the $70 unlimited plan.




And here's an article about it. Supposedly takes effect today? Some are saying this is only for new LTE customers or those changing their plans. If you don't make any changes, you get to keep the "old" plan you are already on. But if I buy my wife an LTE phone this year then that will "change" our plan, and I will be affected at that time. Luckily it looks like I can still stay on the $50 plan as I don't use nearly 2.5GB data each month.

MetroPCS to Overhaul Monthly Plans, Adds Throttling on LTE | PhoneNews.com

Last edited by ChazzMatt; April 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 AM.

geetech84

So if i buy a new lte phone, my 60 plan will change and be cap to 5gb?

Cause I was thinking about upgrade from the LG Esteem to the LG Connect, or wait on something even better

vik3192

I'm guessing what's going to happen is in order to get true unlimited speed you HAVE to get a Rhapsody Subscription. Real slimy and its going to be a tough sell.

Mexjoker

I got confused. Before I got the esteem I had the ascend on the $50 plan. I just got the esteem on the 19th of March and when I switched my service from the ascend to the esteem I told them that I wanted to stay on the plan I had on the ascend. So my question is if my plan would change to a different one or stay the same? Cause we only have two phones on metro. An ascend and the esteem.

InfiniDroid

People who have the old $60 or $50 4g plans will keep the same plan, you guys are all grandfather in. The new price plans start today for new subscribers.

Last edited by InfiniDroid; April 3rd, 2012 at 10:28 AM.

Mexjoker

Good lol but I forgot what was the limit for the original $50 plan

Gr33n

I think it was 1gb.

deathrow911

Before this one it was 1gb.

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Last edited by deathrow911; April 3rd, 2012 at 10:59 AM.

Mexjoker

hopefully they don't count that much data like they used to