How to control data from wifi vs data plan?

[Kaiw]

Hi, I recently upgraded from a flip phone to a Droid Eris on Page Plus Cellular (used the Verizon network). I setup my wifi on the Eris and am curious how the device chooses to use Wi-Fi versus data plan.

Let's say for example that I am in a McDonald's with free Wi-Fi. Does the phone automatically jump onto the Wi-Fi network?

Let's say I go out of range of the Wi-Fi network. Does the phone automatically switch to the data plan without any notification?

Thank you for your advice

 

[gtbarry]

Let's say for example that I am in a McDonald's with free Wi-Fi. Does the phone automatically jump onto the Wi-Fi network?

Yes, if you are signed into the wifi (like at home). At places like Starbucks, McDonalds you will need to sign in via the terms of service to activate the wifi and stop using mobile data

Let's say I go out of range of the Wi-Fi network. Does the phone automatically switch to the data plan without any notification?

Yes


Also note, you need to have mobile data active to send/receive MMS. Wifi if active will still move data to and from your phone for apps, etc. But mobile data is the only way to send/receive MMS.

 

[Kaiw]

Thank you for the information. If I'm at a place where I have to sign in for wifi, will my phone notify me, or will it go straight to the internet on the data plan? I am not sure how to know when I'm on wifi or not.

 

[hstroph]

... Let's say for example that I am in a McDonald's with free Wi-Fi. Does the phone automatically jump onto the Wi-Fi network?

You need to select which of the available wifi networks you wish to connect to, and the phone should remember your choice when you're again in that locale and automatically connect if wifi is enabled on the phone. Each time you connect however, you'll need to open a browser window and agree to the terms of service that are presented to you by the proxy, before you can access the Internet beyond the proxy.

Let's say I go out of range of the Wi-Fi network. Does the phone automatically switch to the data plan without any notification?

Yes.

 

[gtbarry]

Thank you for the information. If I'm at a place where I have to sign in for wifi, will my phone notify me, or will it go straight to the internet on the data plan? I am not sure how to know when I'm on wifi or not.

Settings > Wifi > Settings > Advanced > Network Notification

Also, if it is an already known network (i.e. Starbucks) you will see the wifi signal pop up on the notification bar and it will be grey. Grey means there is a wifi signal, but blue means that the wifi is communicating with Google services. So if you see grey and not blue there is an available wifi for you that you may need to sign into in order to actually use to access the Internet