Enable Always-on Mobile data overhead?

[leedle]

Does anyone know how much 'data' is consumed by the probable handshaking that goes on between handset and network?

I have HTC Hero with Orange and they have reported huge out of bundle data uses even though I am very careful and recently installed 3G Watchdog which confirms to me that my usage is relatively in line with my estimates.

However, I suspect that there is a data overhead recorded by Orange every time the handset connects to their network (which does not originate in an application so is not tracked by 3G Watchdog) and however small this might be, if it connects often enough over the day it could contribute to higher than expected usage.

I know that since Orange started sharing their signal with T-mobile there have been times that my handset seems to drop connections and switch networks more times than I can keep track of.

 

[Slug]

Does anyone know how much 'data' is consumed by the probable handshaking that goes on between handset and network?

Only to the extent that it's negligable. All my Android handsets have been on Orange exclusively, with mobile data "always on", and I've never noticed this.

 

[leedle]

that was my thinking too... so far 3G watchdog is reporting 50% less traffic than is being recorded by Orange, so I switched off the mobile network on Saturday and waited for the 'data remaining' reported by Orange to stabilise (in case it had reported data from previous days - it mentions it might be 48hours old on the account web page).

I've switched it back on now, and will keep it on until this evening - then switch it off and wait to see what Orange reports tomorrow.

The Orange website (pay monthly mobile internet/data charges | help & support | Orange UK) says that you can have an "always on connection" and can stay connected for as long as you like - you only pay for the information you send and receive, not the time you spend connected.

So, if I see a discrepancy tomorrow, I will reset the handset, removing all network enabled applications in the process, and then leave it connected to the net to prove one way or the other.

It has never been a problem for me in 22 months because I've always been under my bundle, but that doesn't make it right for Orange to double count.