DATA Ch@RgEZ??? this is mind numbing...

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DATA Ch@RgEZ??? this is mind numbing...

by jordysge Feb 27, 2012 2:33PM PST

I have been paying for a cell phone for a year now. I signed a two year contract, and I am now wondering some things...

With a smart phone, I was told I had to purchase the "data" pack. It doesn't matter which service. I could not just have the smartphone on my plan UNLESS, I had the data plan attached to it.

Now I notice there is a $10 Fee to upgrade my "Amount" of data. If I go over my gigs, I am slapped on the wrist and punished without them notifying me when the bit trips over the 10 gig line.

Now here is my question. I wonder, how much data is transferred too and from companies? Unknown data, is what I will call it. Anything and everything that is transmitted or shared, updates, notifications, sounds. whatever!?

First, I wonder about the stock options. All the preloaded stuff. How much "data" do these phones send without us knowing?

I have never seen this question, but I would like to know if you can help.

The Second part is wondering how much "Unknown data" is transmitted when downloading the "most popular" apps.

I just do not understand why data has a rate??? I never have, and need real help in understanding why this has been a FORCED part of a unfair contract.

Then maybe I can better understand these data charges.

Thank you for your time.

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Clarification Request

Don't go too far over your head yet

by Pepe7 Feb 28, 2012 3:32AM PST

What activities do you intend on doing with your smartphone? Knowing that can give you a good idea of whether or not you will go over the standard 2GB per month. Streaming lots of video (best example) will often lead to overages that incur the additional charges you have mentioned.

What sort of user are you? Basically, out of the box, yes. With most carrier branded smartphones, especially the newer ones, it's amazing what the phone can do when it's basically 'idle'.

One thing you *can* do is simply turn off cellular data when you know you don't need it, or stick with wifi to avoid monetary surprises at the end of the month. YMMV. Again, this depends on your individual preferences/usage.

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Don't go too far over your head yet #2

by jordysge Feb 28, 2012 5:28AM PST

It is not really the activities I am considering here, I honestly would like to know what I am paying for. The device costs more than my high speed internet by quite a bit.

I also understand I can turn a lot of things "off", but why would I need to?

I am going about my daily routine and watching these phones become stranger and stranger. With GPS, daily updates, and hidden charges up the wazzooo. Not to mention the soul binding contract.

I do appreciate the input. I am really just wanting to know why it is set up the way it is, and why that is a major contributor to the final bill... It makes me feel a tad bent over.

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I've seen that complaint before.#2

by jordysge Feb 28, 2012 5:44AM PST

Bob -

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the lessons on supply and demand.

I enjoy this concept. It is a license to wrongly force un-needed demand.

The illusion is simple, and saying data is costing the providers money is rather numb.

I am calling out all the hidden transactions among smartphone data transfers. Knowing this would give me a heads up on how much of my "2BG" should be taken into consideration when bits are added up over the coarse of a month.

Now, again Bob, thank you. Please do not change coarse. Please do not bring up un-needed information to further not help me get to the bottom of the original question.

Thanks.

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No illusion here. My background includes

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 28, 2012 6:50AM PST

The digital side of a 2 way data over cellular system in the early 90's. BUT I KNOW why folk dismiss the cost of the back end gear and cellular base stations. It's really simple. Ready? The users never see it. They don't know what it costs to build out a network and more.

Back to your questions. I wanted to see what I used on my smart phone today but it's the beginning of the month so my byte count is ZERO. No help there.

I hope all this helps you become a more educated buyer. And maybe you could consider other plans, phones and more.

For example my son has the Virgin Mobile Android plan at 35 a month tops. While it's only 400 minutes of talk time a month, the text and data bytes are what they call unlimited (that's another discussion?) So it makes you wonder why folk gripe about all this when there are other plans.
Bob

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No illusion here. My background includes#2

by jordysge Feb 28, 2012 8:54AM PST

Bob-

Thank you again, for your response. I will do a bit more research before submitting to a 2 year contract from hear on out.

On the other end of things.
I wonder if the expenses of the equipment at the time of purchase for whatever company wants to be in the lead, also is "supply and demand". They bill us for the charges they endured for the upgrades to offer the technology first, and thus building a larger clientele for the future. During that time, they sign us to this 2 year contract to insure their expenses from the get go, while at the same time receiving a worth while profit for their risk.

It is understandable.

Although, I am frightened when these companies announce profit. Profit which can purchase countries and feed entire nations all within 1 quarter of their existence...

So it never really makes too much sense...

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Good to read you didn't sign.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 28, 2012 9:03AM PST

My son on VM did not sign and is on a 35 buck a month plan which is more than he needs. I will join VM as soon as my Sprint plan ends.

There is another way to avoid the 2 year plan. Buy the phone. That 2 year plan is so the phone is subsidized and you are not hit with a 500+ charge for the phone.
Bob

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Thanks Bob

by jordysge Feb 28, 2012 9:45AM PST

Thank you Bob.

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Answer

Some insight

by birdmantd Forum moderator Feb 28, 2012 2:26AM PST

I understand you frustration, but remember something very important: All cellular providers offer free tools to confirm your estimated data/voice usage via phone, store location or online. You can always confirm this information free of charge through those channels. I can't answer all of your questions.

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Some insight#2

by jordysge Feb 28, 2012 5:36AM PST

I understand the "support" factor for most companies, and the concept driving those as well. It is not incredibly simple to find the support you might require, especially if a computer is a bit foreign. Even when calling in, the situation develops more complexity, more waiting, and sometimes even charges for the call...

Thank you for pointing out the tools. I might go dig for a bit and see what I can use for analyzing my own data. Do you recommend any APS or software which are VERY specific?

When I say specific I mean, showing you where the data comes from, how much is sent, how much is received, and the time it transpired?

This way I can make a timeline and really develop an analysis for myself.

Thanks again.

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Support, etc.

by Pepe7 Feb 28, 2012 10:08AM PST

I'm not aware of any U.S. carrier that charges for support calls. Which provider are you currently with?

Again, this is sort of overkill on your part. Unless you have been hit with big overages you should be fine. Let's start with the basics. Which handset and which data package do you have now? How many GB per month? Don't expect most of the public tools to be able to do any sort of detailed analysis like you've described above. It will primarily be tallying your data usage up to a certain point in the billing cycle. Either web based, or an app for your smartphone. I could tell you which one you can download if you would kindly share your hardware/carrier

Back to Phones forum

r. proffitt · Accepted Answer · Feb 28, 2012 2:35AM PST

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I've seen that complaint before.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 28, 2012 2:35AM PST

It does not mean you are wrong for it but all the carriers I used have a way to check how much I've used so far this month.

As to the force of the contract, you can opt out by using some other plan, a not so smart phone, or don't use any feature that soaks your data budget.

In parting, here's a refresher course on supply and demand. http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp#axzz1nhduaiZu

This is fairly basic stuff. There is only so much data that can be moved over cellular networks in any area. So as the users use more, the price moves up. It's all pretty simple when you go back to Econ 101.
Bob

DATA Ch@RgEZ??? this is mind numbing...

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