wifi data usage

[Boriqua]

I have the whole Verizon data vs wifi thing down. I have a question that I cant find the answer too probably because its stupid.

I have been using all three of my android devices primarily at home using a wifi connection. My Cable company just sent me an email saying that I had exceeded the allotted amount of usage for this period. So question is

I almost never turn these androids off and the setting is set to keep wifi connection even if the unit sleeps because reconnecting takes a couple of minutes. Am I still using data allowence through my provider if the unit is simply connected but asleep and not using internet or email?

 

[Rukbat]

It's not connected to your provider, it's connected to your router, which doesn't use data. It just means that the wifi hardware in the phone doesn't turn off when the phone sleeps.

You actually used (browsed, downloaded, etc.) the data they claim you used (if they're measuring correctly). The phone will also use data if you have it set to do automatic updates. Turn that off. If an app is working, there's usually no pressing need to update it.

You can install the Data ON-OFF widget. Then you can turn wifi on or off from the homepage, and see whether it's on or off by looking at the phone. When the phone is on, but you're not going to be using data, turn wifi off.

 

[CMNDR]

An idle connection shouldn't use any data.

 

[kate]

My Cable company just sent me an email saying that I had exceeded the allotted amount of usage for this period.

What is your cable companies data limit? Most (in the US) have limits of 100GB or more - which requires lots of video streaming and/or downloading to exceed. Also, if you have roommates sharing the WiFi connection check with them about their WiFi usage.

Am I still using data allowence through my provider if the unit is simply connected but asleep and not using internet or email?

Your apps might be updating automatically, as Rukbat mentioned you can disable updates.

 

[dibblebill]

I know AT&T DSL is around 200GB. I did the math and that's hours and hours of Netflix in 720p EVERY day. On the order of 7-9 hours.

 

[rui-no-onna]

I know AT&T DSL is around 200GB. I did the math and that's hours and hours of Netflix in 720p EVERY day. On the order of 7-9 hours.

Max Netflix 720p bitrate is 3.8Mbps. Goes even higher for 1080p. Add to that firmware downloads, custom ROMs, app downloads, software updates, automatic cloud syncing and suddenly 100-200GB isn't looking like much. That said, it's unlikely that the Android devices are the culprit in this case unless they've been infected with malware.

I recommend investing in a router with bandwidth monitoring abilities, particular one with per IP or per site monitoring. That's what I did when our ISP started implementing bandwidth caps. Granted, I didn't really buy a new router. I just installed Tomato on my trusty old WRT-54G.

 

[CMNDR]

Uh a two hour HD movie runs you 3600 MB if your cap is 150GB you need to watch 85 hours of movies in HD to come near that cap. 85 hours is over 3 days of continuous movie watching. That's just mildly absurd.

 

[rui-no-onna]

Uh a two hour HD movie runs you 3600 MB if your cap is 150GB you need to watch 85 hours of movies in HD to come near that cap. 85 hours is over 3 days of continuous movie watching. That's just mildly absurd.

85 hours translates to just 2.83 hours per day for 30 days. Very easy to reach.

 

[mikedt]

85 hours translates to just 2.83 hours per day for 30 days. Very easy to reach.

Yeh, and some people might be watching more than that. So if one is streaming TV and movies to their Android devices instead of just watching the TV set. e.g. Hulu, Netflix, etc. Could very easily go over the 200GB usage cap.

 

[rui-no-onna]

Yeh, and some people might be watching more than that. So if one is streaming TV and movies to their Android devices instead of just watching the TV set. e.g. Hulu, Netflix, etc. Could very easily go over the 200GB usage cap.

So true. More so if there are a number of family members in the household. There's only four of us and there are times when each one is streaming a different show at the same time. Granted, that's active use. I highly doubt the Android devices on standby would be at fault for the high internet consumption. Some way to monitor bandwidth would be best to see what your bandwidth hogs are.

 

[dibblebill]

Max Netflix 720p bitrate is 3.8Mbps. Goes even higher for 1080p. Add to that firmware downloads, custom ROMs, app downloads, software updates, automatic cloud syncing and suddenly 100-200GB isn't looking like much. That said, it's unlikely that the Android devices are the culprit in this case unless they've been infected with malware.

I recommend investing in a router with bandwidth monitoring abilities, particular one with per IP or per site monitoring. That's what I did when our ISP started implementing bandwidth caps. Granted, I didn't really buy a new router. I just installed Tomato on my trusty old WRT-54G.

I was basing it off of data usage I've seen Netflix use on my internet connection and devices over several days.

Another thing that murders your data cap: Downloading Android source trees At 30-40GB, OmniROM sources devour the gigabytes.

 

[rui-no-onna]

I was basing it off of data usage I've seen Netflix use on my internet connection and devices over several days.

Netflix quality/size depends on internet speed. The faster your internet, the higher the bitrate ergo, higher data usage.

Another thing that murders your data cap: Downloading Android source trees At 30-40GB, OmniROM sources devour the gigabytes.

Exactly. Nowadays, there are plenty of stuff on the internet that'll use up your data cap. Heck, my brother's YouTube usage sits at 1-2 GB per day. Need to update the ROM on, say, 2 tablets and 4 smartphones in your household? At 300-500 MB per device, that's already 1.8-3 GB.

I know a 100-200GB monthly data cap sounds generous but with an increasingly connected household and cloud services, it's quite easy to use up. Our household uses around 200-300 GB per month (mostly due to Amazon Prime/Hulu/Netflix streaming) dipping into mid-400's when I download Linux iso's and from TechNet.

 

[dibblebill]

Netflix quality/size depends on internet speed. The faster your internet, the higher the bitrate ergo, higher data usage.


Exactly. Nowadays, there are plenty of stuff on the internet that'll use up your data cap. Heck, my brother's YouTube usage sits at 1-2 GB per day. Need to update the ROM on, say, 2 tablets and 4 smartphones in your household? At 300-500 MB per device, that's already 1.8-3 GB.

I know a 100-200GB monthly data cap sounds generous but with an increasingly connected household and cloud services, it's quite easy to use up. Our household uses around 200-300 GB per month (mostly due to Amazon Prime/Hulu/Netflix streaming) dipping into mid-400's when I download Linux iso's and from TechNet.

I didn't think about that. Youtube does the exact same thing with your speed- figures out an optimal bitrate and delivers that.