Incredible data Usage

[VZWBB]

I have six days left on my billing cycle and I just hit 5.29 GB...I don't tether but I do stream Pandora a lot. It is my main internet device.

Not trying to freak you out or anything here, but if I am correct about the $0.25 per mb overage...your about $80 in at this point.

I've never had overages for data usage so I have no idea if calling them ahead of time will help. But I suggest you do so, ESPECIALLY before your billing cycle ends.

I've had them help with minute overages by letting me upgrade my minutes to one that covers my usage and then post dating it. You still pay a little more than the one month fee because of the pro-rated protion for a partial month or something...hard to figure out, but its better than a $600 phone bill.

What I do remember though is that if you wait till your billing cycle is over, they can't help you, and your stuck with the bill.

 

[x.v_]

I may be wrong... but I thought data was unlimited, but at 5GB VZW gets pissed. I don't think there is overages...?

 

[VZWBB]

I may be wrong... but I thought data was unlimited, but at 5GB VZW gets pissed. I don't think there is overages...?

Its quite possible they changed thier policy. They have always been a bit on the shady side in regards to it.

My point was that 5gb is a decent amount of data to consume and if one is concerned about it, its better to handle it before your billing cycle ends instead of after it ends.

 

[BSG75]

Mobile data is unlimited (for now). The wireless access cards (& tethering) are limited to 5gb. I use my Incredible a lot. I apparently have used 2,020,618 kb. already and my cycle doesn't end until 7/3. A big chunk of that is that I use Google Listen to download a lot of podcasts over 3g. Oh, I have used PDAnet at times, too.

 

[Qazme]

I've went over the 5GB limit before and nothing was said or noted. But I believe if you go way over or are making it consistent they will charge you. Take the story of the guys who was tethering his BB because he had no internet in his dorm and his parent got like a $8000 bill or something. Not a general good idea. Seems most people seem to not want to read their contracts before they sign them anymore.

 

[VZWBB]

I've went over the 5GB limit before and nothing was said or noted. But I believe if you go way over or are making it consistent they will charge you. Take the story of the guys who was tethering his BB because he had no internet in his dorm and his parent got like a $8000 bill or something. Not a general good idea. Seems most people seem to not want to read their contracts before they sign them anymore.

Agreed. Verizon will work with you on some stuff, but if you really are concerned its a lot easier to work it out before the billing cycle ends.

I've paid $800 bills before, and it had nothing to do with data (i didn't even have a smart phone then).

 

[gvillager]

Data on smartphones is unlimited. I know two people that consistently go over 5gb on their Droids. They never got any overage charges and VZW hasnt contacted them in regards to their data usage.

If you go over 5gb while tethering or using a aircard you will get billed for overage.

 

[crump13]

Data on smartphones is unlimited. I know two people that consistently go over 5gb on their Droids. They never got any overage charges and VZW hasnt contacted them in regards to their data usage.

If you go over 5gb while tethering or using a aircard you will get billed for overage.

How can VZW tell if your data usage is by tethering or just plain downloading podcast or an avid listener of Pandora? Is there something different in the data usage with tethering? I know they don't want you to do it but how can they tell if you do?

 

[gvillager]

How can VZW tell if your data usage is by tethering or just plain downloading podcast or an avid listener of Pandora? Is there something different in the data usage with tethering? I know they don't want you to do it but how can they tell if you do?

The same way your ISP can tell if your illegally downloading the latest blockbuster movie or kiddie porn. The IP address's and ports you connect to are all logged.

 

[Qazme]

They can tell. The packets coming from a tether are different than the ones being pushed through regular data from the browser. Hence the reason PDANet and few other applications work without having the tethering plan, they mask it to look like the browser, while if you try the straight tether without the plan it takes you to a Verizon site asking if you wish to sign up for a tethering plan.

Packets of information do hold other information besides the data they are cycling. That's one of the ways website know what browser is looking at them or what robots are cycling through for Google, Yahoo, etc.

Also as a side note, read your contract ALL Verizon plans have a 5GB limit. I've never heard of anyone getting jumped on for going over that limit, but if they consistently see you going over it they will start watching you and things will eventually get said. If they didn't mind truly unlimited data usage they wouldn't give a crap and give us tethering for free. Personally, even with a 5GB limit I think it should be included for $30 a month. I mean does it honestly matter what I'm using it for 5GB is 5GB.......

 

[gvillager]

Also as a side note, read your contract ALL Verizon plans have a 5GB limit. I've never heard of anyone getting jumped on for going over that limit, but if they consistently see you going over it they will start watching you and things will eventually get said. If they didn't mind truly unlimited data usage they wouldn't give a crap and give us tethering for free. Personally, even with a 5GB limit I think it should be included for $30 a month. I mean does it honestly matter what I'm using it for 5GB is 5GB.......

I too thought the same thing. Then I was corrected in the thread link below. The terms and conditions don't say anything about a 5GB limit for the unlimited smartphone data plans.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/carriers/11857-verizon-3g-really-capped-2.html#post100907

 

[zska2006]

Mobile connection on

if the connection is always on, does it cause me to be charged for data, even when not using it?

 

[Forgetful]

if the connection is always on, does it cause me to be charged for data, even when not using it?

Only if you're using data will you get charged for data. If you're connected to wifi or 3G there is no data being consumed. But if one of your apps starts syncing or you go to the internet you'll pull data. There is a lot of syncing going on in the background so you almost always are pulling some amount of data unless you turn your radios off.

Are you on an unlimited plan or the 150MB plan? If you're on unlimited then don't worry, but if you're on the 150MB plan I'd suggest getting an app that shows you're current data usage for 3G and/or wifi.