How "much" is 500mb?

[Panter]

Yes I know it's 500MB but what, very roughly, would that equate too?

I'm changing my phone but the data are restricted to 500MB/Month with £1.00/MB charge for going over that.

If I were to use the phone connection for checking emails and browsing the internet (here for example) what sort of useage would that be?
I know it's a "how long's a piece of string" type question but I'm guessing there must be a few people on that restriction so just wondering what it means in reality.
I wouldn't use it for streaming vids or music as I imagine that would use up the quota pretty quickly and the quality is poor doing that anyway.

 

[marinyork]

If I were to use the phone connection for checking emails and browsing the internet (here for example) what sort of useage would that be?

If it's just that and literally nothing else on a secondary internet connection (you still use home connection) you'll be fine. You shouldn't run up more than 100Mb a month.

 

[rockyraccoon]

I use my phone a lot to check emails, read news, forum (here) etc. No downloads or music.. max usage 230 Mb a month. There is a couple of apps available to Android phones which allow u to track how much you are using every day/month and also set limits, etc. Very useful to not go over the limit..

 

[gaz]

I use the internet and e-mail on my phone a lot. and i've never gone over my 500mb limit. If you start downloading lots of podcasts and apps then you're going to get close, i would suggest doing that over wifi.

 

[magnatom]

Panter, this is an issue with Vodafone (an HTC Desire HD perhaps!). I am watching my usage carefully at the moment (using the 3G watchdog app) and yesterday I used about 19Mb. It should be noted that it is a new phone and I have been playing with it. I'll be keeping an eye on this (and report back)

However, the limit is certainly NOT unlimited! There are a number of threads discussing this issue online (here is one which is admittedly very long!)

You also have to be careful with the apps on the phone that autosync. They can eat up your bandwidth. You just need to make sure that you set updates to happen less frequently or manually.


Of course, if you have wireless at home, just make sure it connects to that.

 

[Coco]

I've had my iPhone since August and have used a grand total of 384Mb. I use it every day for surfing, email and the occasional vid. I have even downloaded apps over the 3g connection.
I use wireless when at home, but I don't wait until I get home if there is something I want to do on the phone.

 

[Shaun]

If you've got wi-fi at home your phone should default to that - same at work etc. - so your actual 3G mobile bandwidth usage should be fairly small.

If you want to reduce it (in terms of browsing CC) you can use the mobile theme. It does restrict access to things like the gallery, chat, etc. but it's a low-bandwidth theme so should save a few k with each page load.

You should be fine.

Just save your downloads / app updates etc. for when you're on wi-fi ...

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Panter]

Fantastic, thanks all for the comprehensive replies

Yup, it is for a new Desire HD. Funnily enough there was "no restriction" on the iPhone but a strict restriction on the Desire. Maybe it's more fun to use?



That was the plan to use the home wifi for updates etc, I will download that app though just for my own peace of mind.

thanks again,

 

[alecstilleyedye]

we once paid for a week's wifi with a 450mb limit at a campsite we stayed at. mrs alec decided to watch the previous night's big brother on 4od and used it all in one go

 

[SavageHoutkop]

... sorry to hijack the thread but I'm also thinking of one of these new toys...

Is it possible to set up the phone as your internet connection and connect (say) a laptop to the internet through it?

I currently don't have broadband at home, we have mobile broadband with dongle; but are thinking about rearranging things!

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Yes, with the HTC Desire with Android 2.2 (and other Android phones)you can easily set it up as a mobile wifi hotspot and connect your computer via wifi. It eats battery power though, so your phone needs to be plugged into a charger for more than a few minutes. You can also do tethering via a USB cable on many smart phones, but I prefer the ease of use of the portable wifi hotspot.

Thanks! I'm eyeing the HTC Desire Z but am awaiting further reviews

 

[John the Monkey]

As alecs points out, streaming media will clobber it, do that kind of thing over wi-fi.

for email &c, homescreen updates &c you'll not go near the limit.

also, SavageHoutkop, saw you in Eighth Day on Monday - I wasn't being ignorant by not letting on, by the time my poor, start of the week addled brain had remembered where I knew you from, you'd left...

 

[SavageHoutkop]

also, SavageHoutkop, saw you in Eighth Day on Monday - I wasn't being ignorant by not letting on, by the time my poor, start of the week addled brain had remembered where I knew you from, you'd left...

I didn't even see you

 

[John the Monkey]

I didn't even see you

Well, that puts my mind at rest, I thought you'd be cursing my rudeness!

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Please tell me you weren't dressed in hi-vis and pushing your B around like I was or else I'll really feel stupid!