I need help understanding data plans

[laurelt32]

Just yesterday I received a new smartphone. I've been playing with it, using google voice, going on the web, downloading apps, etc. I've received a text saying that I have reached my data limit (200 mb), and that I would be charged for additional use of data. I have a couple questions

1. What are these data plans?

2. How did I use all of my data so quickly?

3. How do I stop using it? (Dumb question.. I know). But can I still make calls/texts? Can I use google voice? (I don't want to inadvertently go way over my data plan)

Thank you. All of this is new to me

 

[lmc05]

Data plans allow you to access the web, download games and applications, and to send and receive emails. The 200mb plan is obviously not unlimited and once you hit that cap you will be charged extra. Use WiFi if it's available to you if you continue to stay with the 200mb data plan because then any web/download activity will pull from the WiFi rather than your data plan.

200mb is really just for the casual user, unless you're using a Blackberry because of the way those phones compress data. So I would say if you want to continue to freely use the web without worry, spend the extra $5 or $10 a month (depending on what plan you're on) to avoid overages and give yourself some peace of mind.

 

[butterbeam]

If you have tmo, you will get slower data if you go over. Tmo doesn't charge you extra. I have the $70 5gb plan with unlimited talk and txt. I go over my 5g limit every so often. Never get charged extra. Maybe att and verison charges like $10 but sprint and tmo doesn't. I started with suncom and since tmo bought them. So I've been here awhile.

 

[lmc05]

The 200mb plan is the only exception to the unlimited plans.