Limited Data Plan - Consumer Cellular

[camanokid]

My nexus 5 is my 1st smart phone.
I have resisted having a contract & high costs for a data plan.
So I opted for Consumer Cellular (AT&T carrier)...no contract/no fees/no penalties/data&minutes sharing
So far I am very happy.
I don't need a lot of minutes and I can customize (change plan at will) for the needed data MB.
I wanted the on-the-go internet and navigation.
I have 200 minutes / 1000 messages / 100MB / 2nd line sharing - for $35 monthly (AT&T coverage)

CC has a great app to manage your plan...with alerts.
Onavo app adds more info regarding data usage.
Power Toggles app gives me great control over my phone power settings.
I can turn ON data usage only when needed.

I have learned how to set controls to minimize my data usage when On-The-Go:
> Google Play - auto update ONLY when connected to Wi-Fi
> Auto Sync - OFF if not needed OTG.
> Bluetooth - OFF if not needed OTG
> Settings/Location - set to Battery Savings mode
> Roaming - turn OFF data while roaming
> Google Now - OFF if not needed OTG
> Use navigation via Google Maps or
> Use Navfree USA app for navigation (GPS only)- no data link required - OTG
> Google Maps - use Offline caching - store map using Wi-Fi
> Downloads - do not download music, videos etc while on cell connection
> Manual Logoff - logoff apps which use data (eg Facebook)
> Monitor Usage - go to Settings/Data Usage & look for apps using lots of MB > investigate
> Restrict Background Usage - Settings/Data Usage - select app using high MB - turn off Background Usage (eg email)
> Chrome Browser - Settings/Bandwidth Management/Preload Webpages - set to "Only on Wi-Fi"
> Photos app - Turn off Auto Backup of photos

Found good info here:
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/502505/20130830/reduce-mobile-data-plan-12-essential-amazing.htm
http://www.pocketables.com/2013/08/...ackground-data-usage-for-individual-apps.html

Very happy so far - LOVE the Nexus 5.

Additional suggestions appreciated!

 

[camanokid]

I have changed over to the Chrome Beta browser...from standard Chrome.
My Data Usage stats are dramtically lower!
Looks like this will be a HUGE aid in reducing Data Usage vs current Chrome.

 

[Gekko]

you should consider Straight Talk. Consumer Cellular looks like an evil company focused on taking advantage of less tech savvy old people.

 

[camanokid]

Your info may be a little outdated.
I have been happy with their service and plan features.
They were quite helpful when I was probably one of their first customers with a user owned Nexus5.
Also they now offer Iphone 5s as part of their phone selection.

 

[Gekko]

their pricing is awful. poor value.

 

[gadgetgirl3]

They target senior citizens and low-income demographics. I have not really heard good things and probably wouldn't consider them.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[gidgiddonihah]

T-Mobile offers a much better plan at the same price. Unlimited text, 5GB data, and 100 minutes.

If you want to stick with what you have I had an app downloaded on my SII that watched my data usage and could throttle my data when I got close to my limit. Don't remember what it was because I never got close to my data cap as AT&T HSPA+ network blows so I removed it awhile back. If I remember I'll let you know.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[occupiest]

you should consider Straight Talk. Consumer Cellular looks like an evil company focused on taking advantage of less tech savvy old people.

Straight talk does not allow streaming ....I called Consumer Cellular they told me they allow this ...now I wonder about throttling speeds ....but every company seems to have a catch. Anyone have a clue here ?