T-Mobile: Unlimited data! But you only get 50mb for roaming? Can someone explain this to me, plz?

ANOTHER_N00B

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Apr 19, 2013
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$70 unlimited data, but only 50mb for roaming?

What is roaming?
Will I be charged for using the public library's wi-fi?

Good lord, this is complicated.
Just bought my Nexus 4 from Google Play.

Now wondering if I did the right thing.
 
You will never be charged by T-Mobile for using Wi-Fi. Roaming is using another provider's network (AT&T, for example) when your provider has no signal. Basically what they're saying is this: If you're browsing this forum in an area that doesn't have T-Mobile coverage but does have AT&T coverage, your phone will use AT&T's network to load the webpage so that you don't lose connectivity. Once you have loaded 50MB of content on AT&T (roaming), T-Mobile will no longer prevent you from losing connectivity. You will still be able to continue using your unlimited data once you are close enough to a T-Mobile tower to get a cell signal (or if you are on Wi-Fi). Here's their official policy from their FAQ:

Will I be charged for domestic data roaming?

No, T-Mobile does not charge for domestic data roaming. However, once your domestic data roaming allotment has been reached your data services will be unavailable until you return to a T-Mobile coverage area, your bill cycle starts over or you increase your data plan. If you have a Wi-Fi capable device, you may use Wi-Fi to access unlimited data.
 
Roaming means when you are outside tmo's coverage area and connect to another network. Usually this means out of country, but it could be coverage from another carrier if you are outside tmo's coverage.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums
 
Hey thanks. I assume I can turn this (roam ability) off if I don't want to be over charged.
I wonder if there's any other 'hidden charges' there. Really interested in not having to fret over data use...

So, how do the providers calculate data usage? I see the online 'calculators' but, honestly, I haven't a clue how many websites I visit a day.
Which would kinda be cool to know, actually...hmmm...but does it matter, what if I visit one site, all day long? lol.

Let's say I'm viewing this page here, and it's 400kb(?), is that multiplied times the number of minutes I'm reading?
Does posting a message count extra?

I spend quite a bit of time online, but it's 99% wikipedia / reading forum posts / weather / news / etc.
The occasional YT vid.
Whatcha think?

$70 unlimited?
How'd you all do it for yours?
 
Hey thanks. I assume I can turn this (roam ability) off if I don't want to be over charged.
I wonder if there's any other 'hidden charges' there. Really interested in not having to fret over data use...

So, how do the providers calculate data usage? I see the online 'calculators' but, honestly, I haven't a clue how many websites I visit a day.
Which would kinda be cool to know, actually...hmmm...but does it matter, what if I visit one site, all day long? lol.

Let's say I'm viewing this page here, and it's 400kb(?), is that multiplied times the number of minutes I'm reading?
Does posting a message count extra?

I spend quite a bit of time online, but it's 99% wikipedia / reading forum posts / weather / news / etc.
The occasional YT vid.
Whatcha think?

$70 unlimited?
How'd you all do it for yours?

Once the page is loaded, it's loaded. The only thing that could use a little more data is if an ad loads. You will not be charged by the minute though. I'm using Verizon with a 2 GB plan. I use about 1 GB a month and I'm constantly on forums and websites. The real killers are big downloads and YouTube videos. I do those on wifi so I don't get charged.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
Define 'constantly.' O:-) I mean, do you ever have to even wonder if you're reaching your limit?

Thanks.


Also:
Just found a Chrome add-on called "Page Counter" that I'm now running to get a rough estimate...we'll see how that goes...
 
Last edited:
Define 'constantly.' O:-) I mean, do you ever have to even wonder if you're reaching your limit?

Thanks.


Also:
Just found a Chrome add-on called "Page Counter" that I'm now running to get a rough estimate...we'll see how that goes...

Welcome to the forum!

You're over thinking this. Few people (exceptions need not respond as your numbers are small) use more than 1gb per month. Just use your phone and see how it goes.

I'd recommend you go with the $60 2gb plan and see if you come close to using the 2gb up. Get the T-Mobile My Account app (https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...etails?id=com.tmobile.selfhelp&token=Sz77Z29c) and watch your usage.
 
Last edited:
Hey thanks. I assume I can turn this (roam ability) off if I don't want to be over charged.

Yes, you can. Roaming is actually turned off by default on the Nexus 4, but to turn data roaming off, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings
2. Under Wireless & Networks, select More
3. Toward the bottom of the list, select Mobile networks
4. Make sure Data Roaming is unchecked.


To monitor your data usage:

1. Go to Settings
2. Under Wireless & Networks, select Data usage

Here, you can see how much data you have used and how much each individual app has used. You can even set a limit by checking the Set mobile data limit to turn off your data once you reach


Go to THIS WEBPAGE to see a breakdown of how much data apps use. If you mostly read webpages, you will have to load more than 30,000 webpages to reach your limit in one month. That's 1,000 webpages per day or 41.6 webpages per hour if you never sleep.
 
Well so far I'm averaging 183 webpages an hour. (x6hrs a day = 1,098)
But, I haven't really done anything today but putz around online....lol.

Still, using my N4 as a substitute for a land lined connection, would probably cost me 70 dollars, as originally discussed.
Still wondering if there are hidden costs or if that's *really* unlimited and not 'unlimited to a point' like many other plans.

Thanks for all the replies so far!
 

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