Wifi?

[YelleLover]

I see that my Android has Wifi. I leave it turned off all the time. So what's it's point? I already pay for a dataplan from Verizon, so I don't need it for the Internet. Is there anything I can use it for without paying extra?

 

[CuBz]

If you have wireless internet at home or anywhere else, you can connect to it and browse the internet without using your data plan

 

[YelleLover]

If you have wireless internet at home or anywhere else, you can connect to it and browse the internet without using your data plan

But if I already have an unlimited data plan, it's useless? It doesn't matter if it is, I'm just curious.

 

[imwjl]

But if I already have an unlimited data plan, it's useless? It doesn't matter if it is, I'm just curious.

Older "unlimited" was a 5 GB cap and new plans with hot spot phones have 2 GB cap. I rarely exceed 600 MB a month with average use on my last phone but I'm an IT support professional and have months where I use much so WiFi is a help there. Disk images and a lot of podcast, video and music can add up.

 

[YelleLover]

Older "unlimited" was a 5 GB cap and new plans with hot spot phones have 2 GB cap. I rarely exceed 600 MB a month with average use on my last phone but I'm an IT support professional and have months where I use much so WiFi is a help there. Disk images and a lot of podcast, video and music can add up.

The man at the verizon store said my unlimited really meant unlimited. Is there seriously a cap with the 29.99 unlimited data package you have to buy to have a Droid? I'm scared!

EDIT: Now I'm confused. I did some furious googling only to find mixed results. Some sites swear that you have a 5 GB cap, whereas others insist that the cap is only for tethering, and that everything else is limitless. Any clarification? I've probably uses 1gb already, and it's my first day...

 

[Demache]

I dont worry about a data cap. There is no hard cap that they start charging for. They just monitor your connection for unauthorized tethering.

3G is much slower. That's why i use wifi. Its noticeable if you have a decent internet connection at home.

 

[woop]

Wifi is faster than 3G and if you have a constant wifi source, it is better on the battery.

 

[YelleLover]

Wifi is faster than 3G and if you have a constant wifi source, it is better on the battery.

Okay, thank you. Is there a cap on the 29.99 data plan that Verizon sells? I don't actually know what tethering is, so I'm gonna say I'm not using it. I think it's supposed to be unlimited, but I need some confirmation form someone who isn't trying to sell it from me!

 

[woop]

Okay, thank you. Is there a cap on the 29.99 data plan that Verizon sells? I don't actually know what tethering is, so I'm gonna say I'm not using it. I think it's supposed to be unlimited, but I need some confirmation form someone who isn't trying to sell it from me!

There is no cap on VZW's data plans.

 

[tmattock23]

There is no cap on VZW's data plans.

*That likely won't be the case for too much longer.

If you thought Verizon was immune to tiered data plans on its 3G network, think again. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg told investors on Thursday that the company was preparing to roll out new plans within the next four to six months, with limits on different tiers depending on how much data customers want to use. This definitely looks like the future of 3G data pricing, though 4G plans will likely remain limitless

 

[cableguynoe]

Like Demanche said, the cap is not an issue.

Wifi is faster than then 3G, and 3G kills your battery. If I could go all day on wifi, I would.

Welcome to the forum, btw

 

[Thefoodman52]

Like Demanche said, the cap is not an issue.

That's pretty much how it is now if you have an 'unlimited plan'. However, if your data usage is around.... say... 4 gigs a month every month, Sprint's been known to send out warning letters or flag your account. I.E. don't tether your phone and use it to torrent movies all night every day. If you don't do that, I think you're pretty much set.

The most I've used it 1.4gb in a month... of course, that was when I first got MusicJunk, so that's what was racking it up.

 

[Pryomancer]

WiFi is better on battery and 99% of the time, much faster.

 

[YelleLover]

WiFi is better on battI
Iery and 99% of the time, much faster.

So if I connect my phone to the wifi and access my network am I done or do I have to turn the three g off somehow?

 

[SoFLO]

With wifi on your battery lasts much longer than if it was on 3G. I also use it at my school where I get no service inside any of the buildings.

You don't need to mess with 3G once your wifi is turned on, that's done automatically. Once you're connected you're done.

 

[Pryomancer]

So if I connect my phone to the wifi and access my network am I done or do I have to turn the three g off somehow?

Most phones are set to automatically connect to the strongest available signal, which WiFi usually is over 3G.

The reason the battery lasts better on WiFi is that connecting to a network uses battery, but once it's stable it uses a lot less. 3G networks are patchy, so your phone has to keep searching and tweaking to get the best signal.
WiFi is generally a more consistant signal area so your phone doesn't need to work as hard to maintain the connection.

 

[YelleLover]

So can I just turn my wifi on and leave it on and it will automatically connect to It when it's available and g when it's not?

 

[Pryomancer]

Correct, although it will drain your battery fairly quickly with both on. Personally I keep them off and only turn them on when I need them.

Your battery would still last the best part of a day though or longer, I'd say, it's not too much of an issue.

 

[cableguynoe]

So can I just turn my wifi on and leave it on and it will automatically connect to It when it's available and g when it's not?

I only turn wifi on at work and at home, places where i know I have wifi signal. I keep it off the rest of the time. No sense in having it on when on the road.
It will also drain your battery since it's always looking for a network to connect to.

And yes, wifi will override 3g. And if you walk away from the wifi signal, 3g will kick in.

 

[saps]

Yeah pretty much line line with what everyone else says and does. Wifi at home and work as needed for Internet. Off at all other times.
So illustrate the speed difference I present my own stats from my home where my signal is usually just 1 or 2 reception bars and my Internet speed is officially 8megs down and 1up [reality is its more like 20down and 1 up].

So thats why I use WiFi. 10x faster at home for me

 

[Archphoto]

One other reason for using WiFi is if you're roaming OS - the fees charged for roaming *anything* are ridiculous and the bill you'll get when you return home will make you wish you'd never used roaming to make calls, let alone access the interent via your telco.

 

[takeshi]

Correct, although it will drain your battery fairly quickly with both on.

I've never noticed much of a difference with battery life if I leave WiFi on.

An app like Tasker can be used to automate toggling of WiFi if that's a concern though.