I got a text yesterday telling me that I had already used 75% of my total data on my cell phone plan. And as much as I appreciated the notice, I was unsure of why this had happened only 2 weeks into my monthly allotment. So I called this morning and spoke to a rep.
He was very nice and while he could tell me where most data usage goes, and exactly how much I had used, he could not tell me exactly where I had used the data - as that was a privacy issue.
After asking him several questions regarding data usage on things like Facebook, Pinterest, Google, attachments, sending pics, etc., I asked if I could simply turn off the data until my next months usage renewed (so I wouldn't get charged for going over my plan). He said that I could do that in Settings.... just go to cellular and turn the switch to "off". So this is what I did.
I do have unlimited talk and text, but not unlimited data and can't afford to add that to our monthly bill. So we shall see if this works. It will be a long 2 weeks without being able to use some of those functions...
.........
It's now Wednesday evening and I have to tell you that I did have to turn my cellular back on for a bit today. Since I had to meet a friend for coffee this afternoon at a place I was unfamiliar with... naturally I got lost. So I stopped the car, switched my cellular back on, went to my iPhone GPS and logged in where I was going and hit the arrow to see where I actually was... and presto! found the place fairly quickly. Yes, we have gotten dependent on these technological advancements... even us old farts....
but I did remember to turn the cellular off again!
I'm happy to admit that there's a lot I don't know about how the Internet works (wifi vs cellular, etc.) and sometimes I'm sure those "in the know" enjoy a good laugh at my expense, but that's OK. I'm not afraid to use the technology and if my use of it gives somebody a good laugh, I take that as a good thing.
Well, I suppose I'm in the minority in that I don't have a data plan at all. I pay monthly for a certain number of long distance minutes and texts, and if I turn the phone on once a week, that's a lot. I don't know what plans are like in the U.S. but Canada's rates are the highest or among the very highest, in the world. Not enough competition, we're all being fleeced. (Ditto for cable services, but that's another post.)
ReplyDeleteKim, we pay monthly for our iPhones... and have a plan that gives us unlimited calls and texts, but limited data. It's certainly not a necessity, more of a convenience. And it is expensive, but well used and keeps us in constant contact with family. However, we did switch servers a while back which cut our monthly fee in half.
DeleteI have limited phone and text time, but since I have yet to go over that limit I don't worry about it. I do not have a data plan but I can use wifi. That would not help me in a situation like you described and there have been a couple of times when I stopped at a McDonalds or Starbucks just for a few minutes on the free wifi to get directions. I guess I have not been completely spoiled by convenience yet. I know a couple people who have had shocking overage charges and that sticks in my mind more than anything.
ReplyDeleteOlga, I hardly use the unlimited talk, but do use the text and data. And have never gone over that data until recently. And we do have wifi at home, but it doesn't help me when I'm on the road. They do notify you when you get to 75% usage, again at 90%, and then at 100%... so that is something. I've now turned off cellular and only turn it back on if necessary. We'll see how that works.
DeleteWe got that message, too, and I told my granddaughter to turn off her cellular. "It's a phone, not a computer!" I'm pretty last generation.
ReplyDeleteYou are right of course. And I've got to remember that too.
DeleteI wonder what it was that ate up your data. I have only limited data but make it a point not to check Facebook or emails when I'm not on wifi and have never been notified that I've been close to using it up for the month. I'm curious to know the culprit. :-)
ReplyDeleteMe too, DJan. And will let you know if I ever find out. I do take and send lots of pictures...?? I'm going to check it out at the Apple store. Maybe by looking at my settings or ?, they can tell me where a lot of the data is being used. In the meantime, I will keep my cellular off unless needed.
DeleteI'm at a loss to tell you what my plan covers. I know I use Facebook and check my e-mail once a day on my phone. My son showed me once how to use the GPS but I'm sure if I tried to figure it out on my own I'd be lost...which seems a bit ironic.
ReplyDeleteI do use the text function, a lot at least during the week. But I often leave the house without the phone on the weekend. Yet, I can't imagine being without a cell phone. Yes, we're definitely tied to technology!
The GPS is great, Eileen. If you ever find yourself not sure of where you are, it shows exactly where you are at the moment and if you put in the address of where you were heading, it will show you if you're close. As far as data usage is concerned, I think most is spent on Facebook and sending pics (at least where I'm concerned). But now I turn off cellular except for specific times when wifi is not available. I'm hoping this will make a difference in my data usage...
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