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Any luck with inexpensive data plans?

E

e1000sn

Newbie
I know most people here are like myself, power users who couldn't live a day without using at least 50 megabytes. But my wife is just a texting junkie who would appreciate internet access occasionally as well as google calendar and mail.

Anyways, I was wondering what you all thought of AT&T's lower end data plan? I know it is slim on the megabytes, can an android phone survive a month with only 200 mb? Have any of you or your friends had success with this?

Also, I was going to get the Motorola Bravo for my wife which uses motoblur, is motoblur a bandwidth hog?
 
I don't know about AT&T, but I just got $9.99 unlimited data through Verizon by saying I was going to switch over to Sprints $69 Everything plan. You should try doing the same thing, you never know!

And if they don't go for it.... maybe you should just switch over to Sprint for spite!



:D
 
If she's covered by wi-fi at home and work then yes. I've had it with my iPhone ever since AT&T began offering the $15/mo. 200MB plan and never exceeded the limit (and know many other iPhone users that do fine on it.) AT&T sends you a text message when you hit 66% and another at 90% so it's almost impossible to blow through. You can switch up to 2GB and back to 200MB as much as you (reasonably) want.
 
I have been on a Android device for about 3 months now coming from a Blackberry w/o wifi. I have no problem staying within the 200mb limit, but I spend almost all my time on wifi. My first month I used 5mb, second month 25mb and this month I will be at about 50mb.

It was easier to stay within the limit on 1.6 that had a toggle to turn on the 3g, now on 2.2 it comes on whenever I leave the house. Since most of that is on a motorcycle I really have no need for service while I ride.

I have gone a week without any usage, but it will eat some data if you want it to. My big usage has been with Google Maps w/turn by turn navigation. I used 25MB in about 30 minutes twice. Just getting directions is not so bad, but the pretty 3D map constantly moving uses allot of data.

So, it depends. I don't see any reason I will ever exceed the 200MB limit, but if you are very mobile, like to use the features on the move outside of a wifi hotspot, you could use allot of data.
 
I'm on the 2gb plan (new subscriber as of last month) and have a question about using Google Navigation. I assume I would only want to use it sparingly or I'll blow thru my allowable data?
 
urbhusker said:
I'm on the 2gb plan (new subscriber as of last month) and have a question about using Google Navigation. I assume I would only want to use it sparingly or I'll blow thru my allowable data?
Click to expand...
Yes, I used about 25MB in 30 minutes with the continuously updating maps, turn by turn directions & stuff. I have also just got the directions and refreshed it manually about every 5 minutes and it wasn't too bad. But both times I have used the moving navigation in the car it cost me about 25MB for 30-45 minutes.

It sure was fun to watch though :D

PS. you can check your official usage by logging into At&t online, it is normally a day or 2 behind. I have an App called 3G watchdog which gives you instant updates on usage. I like it because you set your billing cycle and it shows you daily, weekly, monthly usage and percentage of your Budget.
 
there's a nice At&T app that lets you track the stuff, but ironically, it uses data. I check my account every day because my wife is on a 200MB plan

Did you know that when the phone is in sleep mode it by default uses the data and not wifi? even if you are right next to a router, your data usage will continue

Android phones, by default, turn wi-fi off when the display sleeps. That means you only use wi-fi when you're actively using the phone and for a few seconds afterward. After that, the wi-fi radio turns off as a power-saving feature.

Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Wi-Fi settings. Press Menu, and choose Advanced. You can change the Wi-Fi sleep policy there. You can choose to sleep when the display is off (the default), stay awake when the phone is plugged in (slightly more useful), or never sleep (which my wife uses ).
 
58mark said:
Did you know that when the phone is in sleep mode it by default uses the data and not wifi? even if you are right next to a router, your data usage will continue

Android phones, by default, turn wi-fi off when the display sleeps. That means you only use wi-fi when you're actively using the phone and for a few seconds afterward. After that, the wi-fi radio turns off as a power-saving feature.

Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Wi-Fi settings. Press Menu, and choose Advanced. You can change the Wi-Fi sleep policy there. You can choose to sleep when the display is off (the default), stay awake when the phone is plugged in (slightly more useful), or never sleep (which my wife uses ).
Click to expand...

Yes, that is the default and really painful when you are trying to stay within 200MB, especially if it decides to do some "upgrade" in the middle of the night.

When I first got an Android device, I was still on my Blackberry unlimited plan for the first month, just so I could get it all sorted out before switching to the lower plan. It was great on 1.6, but 2.2 doesn't have the easy toggle to switch off 3G like 1.6 had. I think I have an app that does it now, haven't tested it yet, as I haven't been outside my wifi this week yet.
 
nb_mitch said:
Yes, I used about 25MB in 30 minutes with the continuously updating maps, turn by turn directions & stuff. I have also just got the directions and refreshed it manually about every 5 minutes and it wasn't too bad. But both times I have used the moving navigation in the car it cost me about 25MB for 30-45 minutes.

It sure was fun to watch though :D

PS. you can check your official usage by logging into At&t online, it is normally a day or 2 behind. I have an App called 3G watchdog which gives you instant updates on usage. I like it because you set your billing cycle and it shows you daily, weekly, monthly usage and percentage of your Budget.
Click to expand...

If I want to buy AT&T's version at $9.99/mo does that still use your data? The AT&T site seems to infer that regular data charges would still apply. I'm sure the answer is no but just looking for clarification. I really do miss unlimited data on my old Sprint plan so I wouldn't have to worry about going over.
 
urbhusker said:
If I want to buy AT&T's version at $9.99/mo does that still use your data? The AT&T site seems to infer that regular data charges would still apply. I'm sure the answer is no but just looking for clarification. I really do miss unlimited data on my old Sprint plan so I wouldn't have to worry about going over.
Click to expand...
If you are referring to the Navigation system, I don't know why anyone would want to pay for something you can get for free. Google even has the voice option to talk to you and yes, you will use data.

I am good with the 200mb plan, but I too wish they would allow it to roll over for those months I have a bad day ;)
 
If I wasn't grandfathered into the unlimited plan through ATT, I'd be switching carriers. I've already used almost 4GB this month... and my bill doesn't cutoff until the 28th of this month :eek:
Scott
 
AT&T refused to give me back my unlimited data so I am cancelling service with them and going to Sprint for the unlimited everything!
 
i have the 200mb plan. according to 3g watchdog i have used 140mb with 8days left. thats using googlemaps every other day, bunch of emails and browsing several forums and random sites all day.

no music/video streaming tho. wifi on at home but not work. you'll be fine. try using opera mini. it uses less data
 
DroidBabe said:
AT&T refused to give me back my unlimited data so I am cancelling service with them and going to Sprint for the unlimited everything!
Click to expand...


Wait you altered your plan knowing you would loose your unlimited data and now you expect ATT to give it back to you? They say no so bevause of your error your gonna cancel and.go to Sprint lol wow this is ways wrong with America
 
I gave up my unlimited plan to save the $15/month. It is working for me great, in the 4 months I am averaging about 30M/month with a high of about 55M and low of 5M.

I use 3G Watchdog to track my usage and I use another App (Toggle Net Switch) to switch off my 3G when I don't need it, so I don't get unexpected usage, like a software update while I am riding my motorcycle, etc. I have been leaving it on more lately, as I am comfortable in 50M range. Then I still get emails while outside Wifi.

If you are going to use the limited plans, you just need to manage your time a little more and not ignore your usage until you get the next bill :D
 
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