Wireless Data Overage

[JLaidlaw]

I have a 1 gig data plan. Yesterday all at once, within one minute, my messages told me I was at 75%, 90% and 100%. By the time I could shut off data is was at .02 overage. Am I going to be charged for that? Normally I would shut off data by 90% but I literally had seconds of warning. Why would this happen?

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[jason34asw]

Hello,

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@JLaidlaw wrote:

I have a 1 gig data plan. Yesterday all at once, within one minute, my messages told me I was at 75%, 90% and 100%. By the time I could shut off data is was at .02 overage. Am I going to be charged for that? Normally I would shut off data by 90% but I literally had seconds of warning. Why would this happen?

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Monitor Background Data: Check your device's settings to see which apps are using the most data. You can restrict background data usage for certain apps. Limit High-Definition Content: When using data, opt for lower quality settings for videos and downloads to conserve data. Use Wi-Fi When Possible: Connect to Wi-Fi networks whenever available to avoid using your mobile data. Set a Data Limit: Your device might have a built-in feature to set a data limit. Once you reach your limit, you can be alerted and prevent overage charges.

[LordDrakkon]

What device are you using? iPhone's push more data by default than most devices. Things like e-mail, iMessage, RCS messages, social media apps, device updates, app updates, and much more can easily eat through 1 GB of data. Turn off things like automatic updates to make sure those updates don't happen while on data.

[JLaidlaw]

I have turned off most of my apps in cellular now. I don’t see any option to set a data limit, that would be a good feature. I do have it set to low data mode. Normally I have data off and just use occasionally when I can’t access internet. I was just surprised how the data allowance messages went from 75% to 100 all at once (within a minute) not giving me enough time to shut data off. I’ve never had that happen before. Thanks for your reply.

[JLaidlaw]

I’m using an iPhone. I’ve now shut most of the apps in cellular data and will just turn them on as needed in the future. I don’t know what could have used up that much data in one minute. I’ll also turn off wifi assist once my data renews (it’s greyed out so can’t turn it off until I turn on data.) Hopefully that will never happen again. Thank you for your reply.

[57]

As stated above, 1 GB is not much these days when downloading on a high speed connection, if your phone is updating say an app or maps, etc.  If you're connected at 300 Mbps, it would take less than 30 seconds to download 1 GB.

I believe I have all my apps set to only download/update when connected to WiFi, but then again I don't use data at all on my pre-paid phone.

[JLaidlaw]

Thank you. I’m not too thrilled that Roger’s allows overages in this way. I would have been happy to do an add on (as I used to do with Shaw) if I’d known I was getting low on data but I don’t like having limited control of overages. I’ve turned off most of my apps now and will turn on only when needed. I’m just glad I don’t have a kid to keep track of who might accidentally leave their data on! Thanks again.

[57]

Go into Settings - General - Background app refresh and that should show you all the potential apps that may use data.  You can turn them all off, or select.

Also - Settings - Cellular - Cellular Data Options - Low Data Mode.

[JLaidlaw]

Yes I’ve done that. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Esperologist]

If you have a phone that has these options, they are the best way to do it.

1) Set a limit to just under the plan's limit.
- 1GB is supposed to be 1024MB, and after the MB, KB and to a computer (or phone) 1GB is 1.073 billion bytes. However, some companies will promise it using 1GB = 1000MB, etc... so 1GB is just 1.000 billion bytes. I don't know if Rog is like this... but companies that are will consider you over your 1GB when you phone/computer says it has only used 0.931 GB. So, I like to set my limit to 0.9 GB or 900 MB... just to be safe. (And it isn't because of paranoia, I've been hit by this charge... which is why for about 10 years I've not had a data plan.)

2) Enable the 'this network is metered' option. For some devices, it restricts internet usage on that network to what you initiative. This typically means updates will only occur if you give permission, or switch to a wi-fi network you haven't set restrictions on yet.