T Mobile reduce data limit

[Fnaar]

http://wirelessfederation.com/news/33170-t-mobile-reduce-data-allowed-on-fair-usage-policy-uk/

(google T-mobile reduce limit ... loads of stories on it)

Well thanks T Mobile... take the point out of having an Android, why doncha?
I checked my usage yesterday... in a day of 'light' phone use for me (with most syncing turned off, just mail/weather/calendar) and about an hour of browsing (mostly here!) I got through 23.9 MB!!

 

[rusky]

I might start watching youtube vids to see what happens to my usage!

 

[fossyant]

Voda are 500mb, so are quite a few others. I use data watchdog to log my usage anyway

 

[upsidedown]

That probably explains the text I got from them last night. Something about possible network interruptions while they work to improve my service.
I've been with T-Mobile for about 8 years now but will reconsider if they start messing about with data capping.

 

[Fnaar]

That probably explains the text I got from them last night. Something about possible network interruptions while they work to improve my service.
I've been with T-Mobile for about 8 years now but will reconsider if they start messing about with data capping.

Ditto... I've had no text from them though... I've been really happy with them so far... but this might turn things (though still have ages left on contract). I use wifi for phone internet where possible, but just with 'light' usage otherwise, I will soon reach the limit, I fear. They say (apparently) that you'll still be able to send texts and surf, just not download files etc. But I never do that anyway except on wifi. Will have to see how it pans out from Feb 1 when it starts. Things like Endomondo or MyTracks and Google Maps are going to be very data heavy, and the point of those is using them when you are out and about.

 

[Dan B]

I am agog to hear how they plan to restrict "downloading" but not "surfing", since there's no way they can tell the difference.

But I have not had "the text" so if they do cap me (I'm on an android tariff, currently 3GB) on Feb 1st they are in clear breach of contract and I will be cancelling immediately.

 

[rusky]

What android app do people use to monitor usage?

It would be interesting to find out how much I use when I wifi tether my PC!

 

[Norm]

I am agog to hear how they plan to restrict "downloading" but not "surfing", since there's no way they can tell the difference.

Can they not do it by detecting the browser or device used, the same way that some sites (BBC and CC, for example) will send the mobile version rather than the full version.


This is an area of technology which is way beyond my experience or understanding but I think that a phone used for browsing will identify itself differently from a phone used as a wi-fi tether or as a modem.

 

[Dan B]

It's relatively easy to differentiate a phone browser from a "full-sized" PC browser if you're the web site that's being browsed, yes, but for anyone "in the middle" to do it they essentially have to be spying on your data as it passes through them. This is technically possible for HTTP but not nearly as simple for secure (HTTPS) sites, and to my mind is unethical behaviour in either case

 

[Hop3y]

[sup]I'm on o2 iPhone 4 with unlimited! [/sup]

 

[goo_mason]

What android app do people use to monitor usage?

It would be interesting to find out how much I use when I wifi tether my PC!

3G Watchdog

 

[Norm]

It's relatively easy to differentiate a phone browser from a "full-sized" PC browser if you're the web site that's being browsed, yes, but for anyone "in the middle" to do it they essentially have to be spying on your data as it passes through them. This is technically possible for HTTP but not nearly as simple for secure (HTTPS) sites, and to my mind is unethical behaviour in either case

Ah, yes, I hadn't considered that they'd have to examine the packets to see what type of browser you're using. Although there is probably some allowance for that to happen, it isn't good from the user's perspective.

Again, I'm not sure if there's any techie reason for that to happen to route the data over the mobile network.

 

[jack the lad]

What android app do people use to monitor usage?

It would be interesting to find out how much I use when I wifi tether my PC!

Network Traffic Counter by Cyril Jacquier

It seems to overestimate my usage compared with the bill by about 10% - which is fine by me as I would rather be under than over. I only use about 10% of my 500mb limit anyway for emails and occasional browsing.

I thought Google maps and My Tracks used GPS when you are out and about, not internet, so I wouldn't think it should affect data usage except for updating the maps or uploading routes etc., which you can usually do at home/work on Wi-fi. Battery life on GPS mode is more of a problem for us slow cyclists...

 

[Dan B]

Google maps (and My tracks, and all similar apps) download the map imagery on demand (over 3g or wifi or whatever connectivity you have) when you scroll that part of the map into view.

Can cost a packet when you're using google navigation in a foreign country, I can tell you

 

[rockyraccoon]

What android app do people use to monitor usage?

I use "Call Meter" for txt/call/data and also "3G Watchdog" (data)