Help understanding wifi and phone charges

[ABZAmom]

Hi, I just upgraded to my first cell phone that does stuff more than just call people. It's a Samsung Galaxy. When I got the phone the lady at the store said that it can be used w/ wifi. I was under the impression that whenever I use the phone to do internet stuff as long as I'm connected via wifi it's free. When I first got the phone I logged on to different websites to try the phone out. I even downloaded angry birds and have been playing it. I just went to the website of my cell phone carrier (bell) and looked at my unbilled usage. I'm assuming that is any usage since my last bill????? Is this correct? On the usage list there was a ton of mobile browser time. I don't think I've used a mobile browser? Could I have done it not knowing? When I play angry birds that I downloaded as an app am I going online to play? I totally don't understand and I fear I may be in for a huge bill even though I didn't intentionally rack up charges. Please help explain this to me... (I now understand how my parents didn't comprehend how to program a vcr to record...technology gets harder as I get older).

 

[lunatic59]

You are correct that as long as you are connected to WiFi no wireless data is used. You can tell by the WiFi icon in the notification bar replacing the 3G icon. The bill may identify it as mobile browser time, but i think it is really data use. Data is used many different times, not just when you are browsing the internet or downloading apps. Mail sync, widgets, news feeds, etc. all use data and if you shut off wifi or leave the wifi range, it will connect over their network.

If you go to menu>settings>wireless and networks>wireless networks and un-check the box next to data enabled and your phone will not use any mobile data.

 

[XplosiV]

Does your contact include a data plan? If not I suspect you'll be charged by the kb, or mb, and for any downloads.

There are a lot if data plans in the UK, that include unlimited web surfing, and 500 mb of downloads.

Maybe you need you go back to bell and explain that you'd like to know more detail about what exactly your getting for what your paying.

 

[takeshi]

When I first got the phone I logged on to different websites to try the phone out.

On the usage list there was a ton of mobile browser time. I don't think I've used a mobile browser?

You certainly used a mobile browser to log onto different web sites...

Now whether that counts as mobile data/browser time or WiFi is an entirely separate matter. As stated above, you need to look at your notification bar to verify whether or not you're connected to WiFi.

When I play angry birds that I downloaded as an app am I going online to play?

I can't speak for Angry Birds but some apps may use mobile data. It really just depends on the specific app. If you want to prevent mobile data use when playing a game then turn on airplane mode. Just keep in mind that airplane mode disables calls, WiFi (can be turned back on though), bluetooth, etc as well.

 

[MyNamesTooLong]

Does your contact include a data plan? If not I suspect you'll be charged by the kb, or mb, and for any downloads.

There are a lot if data plans in the UK, that include unlimited web surfing, and 500 mb of downloads.

Maybe you need you go back to bell and explain that you'd like to know more detail about what exactly your getting for what your paying.

Probably your best bet