Craig here, nagging question. Why do you charge me extra for my data, im always on wi-fi!?

[JulienTremblay · Accepted solution]

Hey guys what phone are you using because you can always turn on the option to only use data while on WIFI?

In settings usually. If you give me the model and your firmware i can provide screen shots.

Have you considered this? What have you done to curb data use? 

Thanks

Julien

[BlackAsh · Accepted solution]

Hi,

This happens to my daughters Iphone all the time. I have read that it goes to sleep and "forgets" it was connected to WIFI when it wakes up. It's a constant issue with her phone (I've had her turn data off)

My Windows phone has never had that problem

[Mark_Z · Accepted solution]

Hi BlackAsh,

This might answer your question. From the situation above.

"Well....it sounds like your wi-fi is cutting out. When this happens, your phone falls back to using cellular data and you’re charged because of it.

Most commonly it’s because of a weak wi-fi signal. There could be a few reasons for this like router settings, your router freezing, or even too many people are connected to wifi at once.

I’d shut off your cellular data and try troubleshooting the router.  Usually you can call the manufacturer of your router for help, or your internet provider if it’s a modem/router combo you received from them."

[adaml · Accepted solution]

Even if you are always on wifi while home and work (potential WiFi issues aside) and never directly access data services while on the road, you migh have apps installed that consume data in the background (ie: auto updates for a Weather app, Facebook, etc....).

Some Android devices will allow you to see who much data each app is consuming while on Wifi OR carrier network, not too sure about other platoforms.

[jason · Accepted solution]

Install Onavo. It compresses data usage by connecting you to their server that compresses all the webpages/downloads and send it back to you on a secure network.

For the problem, if you're on Android, use the widgets and turn off data everytime you're on WiFi.

[najodhia]

Well Craig....it sounds like your wi-fi is cutting out. When this happens, your phone falls back to using cellular data and you’re charged because of it.

Most commonly it’s because of a weak wi-fi signal. There could be a few reasons for this like router settings, your router freezing, or even too many people are connected to wifi at once.

I’d shut off your cellular data and try troubleshooting the router.  Usually you can call the manufacturer of your router for help, or your internet provider if it’s a modem/router combo you received from them.

[Neebo]

Hi Craig,

What the above poster said is a situation I have encountered more often than I would like myself, but I wanted to chime in and make sure that if you are using a smartphone to be careful of the applications you have installed. Some apps will remain active on your phone in the background and occaisionally pull data to update or check on things, even if you are on the go and you don't initiate anything. This is another situation a lot of people get hit by, especially if they have small data plans due to being around Wi-Fi all the time.

[JulienTremblay · Accepted solution]

Hey guys what phone are you using because you can always turn on the option to only use data while on WIFI?

In settings usually. If you give me the model and your firmware i can provide screen shots.

Have you considered this? What have you done to curb data use? 

Thanks

Julien

[BlackAsh · Accepted solution]

Hi,

This happens to my daughters Iphone all the time. I have read that it goes to sleep and "forgets" it was connected to WIFI when it wakes up. It's a constant issue with her phone (I've had her turn data off)

My Windows phone has never had that problem

[Mark_Z · Accepted solution]

Hi BlackAsh,

This might answer your question. From the situation above.

"Well....it sounds like your wi-fi is cutting out. When this happens, your phone falls back to using cellular data and you’re charged because of it.

Most commonly it’s because of a weak wi-fi signal. There could be a few reasons for this like router settings, your router freezing, or even too many people are connected to wifi at once.

I’d shut off your cellular data and try troubleshooting the router.  Usually you can call the manufacturer of your router for help, or your internet provider if it’s a modem/router combo you received from them."

[adaml · Accepted solution]

Even if you are always on wifi while home and work (potential WiFi issues aside) and never directly access data services while on the road, you migh have apps installed that consume data in the background (ie: auto updates for a Weather app, Facebook, etc....).

Some Android devices will allow you to see who much data each app is consuming while on Wifi OR carrier network, not too sure about other platoforms.

[jason · Accepted solution]

Install Onavo. It compresses data usage by connecting you to their server that compresses all the webpages/downloads and send it back to you on a secure network.

For the problem, if you're on Android, use the widgets and turn off data everytime you're on WiFi.

[Ste7n · Accepted solution]

---

@jason wrote:

Install Onavo. It compresses data usage by connecting you to their server that compresses all the webpages/downloads and send it back to you on a secure network.

---

Just be aware that if you install a compression application/service like Onavo, all of your data passes through their servers, which could be a privacy and security concern.

[bengjai]

Two things. You can always get TELUS to block your data. Probably the best option if you NEVER use your data.

Secondly, if you have an Android (not sure about other operating systems), get Smart Wifi Toggler as it will always kick wifi on when you need and memorize your connections.

[Lola]

I've seen this question a lot in my cruising here.

If you have wifi mostly continuously -- and if you use Shaw, then you do -- you require little to no data. Turn it off and keep it off. In the last three years, I've never used more than 10mb per month, because network data is required for sending and receiving pictures by text. I've read conflicting "solutions" on here about whether Telus actually charges for this data use, (looking at my account, I say they do), but you must have network data on to send or receive MMS.

I'll tell you what. I have apps from accounting to sports, and everything in between, only Google Play required me to turn data on to initialize, but once the registration was done, it's never needed data again. You can set all apps and your OS to update only on wifi. Yes you can, because I do, and I always have.

Be a little more hands on with your phone, manually turn things on and off, READ everything you can about data use and misuse from many different tech sources, and you'll save $$ at the end of the day.