HTC Hero Data Usage

Cyland101 · 24-09-2009, 9:38 AM

Well I have now had my HTC Hero for 2 months and my phone bill has almost doubled!

I am on a Racoon 25 18 Month contract which does not include data usage and on looking at my phone bills it's the data usage that has pushed the bill up. This is around 10.5Mb per month and I do not use the phone for browsing except when connected via WiFi.

So I called Orange this morning to try to understand what this usage is and the chap confirmed that the phone connects every hour at the same time (9:54, 10:54 etc) and the usage is 9Kb each time. Now whilst this is not a lot, over a month this accounts for most of the 10Mb.... which is £24!!!

I recon this is the weather app and probably the mail app checking gmail, but does anyone know/have any specific information of what else the phone may automatically be checking/downloading?

At this point I have 2 options, disable all data access which Orange can do, but this does defeat the object of the phone, or I can buy a data bundle for £7.50 per month for 250Mb.

Have to say I am really irked by these charges... I knew that there would be data usage but not that high!

Merago · 24-09-2009, 9:59 AM

Hi there, yep, the phone is pretty damned data hungry. I've been running an experiment this past couple of weeks for my site where I've been monitoring the data usage and it's looking like I'll be over the data limit set by Vodafone and Orange.
Regarding these ever-syncing apps - the biggest culprits are probably the ones that are syncing with Google - GMail, the calendar etc. If you want, you can turn these apps or Background data syncing off-

-from a homescreen push the Menu button
-tap Settings
-tap Data Synchronization
-tap Google

From there you can choose what syncs so you can turn off individual apps or turn off background syncing for all of them

You can also turn off the always on data connection - you'll still be able to connect to the internet, it just won't be connected all the time -

-from a homescreen push the Menu button
-tap Settings
-tap Wireless Controls
-tap Mobile Network Settings
-tap Enable always-on mobile

Apps such as Peep can be configured to refresh their feeds far less frequently than the default too if you go in to the settings. If you haven't done it already, I'd install a task killer app such as Advanced Task Killer or Taskiller and make a mental note to kill running apps on it every so often.

If you're really struggling even then, check out an app called Locale, you can use it to set location or time specific conditions (for example, during the nighttime or when you're somewhere that you can use a wi-fi connection rather than the 2G/3G). When these conditions are met, Locale kicks in and can perform a number of different tasks on your phone, such as turning on or off the wi-fi/data connection or muting the volume. I do think there'll be a lot of people in the same boat as you - people who have contracts with Vodafone or Orange who find that the Hero connects to the internet a lot more than they had expected.

At the end of the day though, I'd say you really need a data package with this phone.

Cyland101 · 24-09-2009, 11:16 AM

Hi Merago

Thanks for the info. I had already disabled the google sync and the weather one. Have also disabled "always-on mobile"..

Yeah I already have TasKiller and do kill apps regularly, don't use any of the other social networking apps.

Time will tell I suppose.

Ch3tan · 24-09-2009, 12:19 PM

If you are only using the phone for browsing while on wifi then simply disable mobile internet. Hold down the end call button, and it's the bottom option on the menu that comes up.

To be honest I do not understand why you have bought this phone and are surprised at the data charges. It really is only suitable for use when you have a data allowance. Pay Orange the £7.50 and enjoy the phone as it is meant.

Cyland101 · 24-09-2009, 12:53 PM

I bought the phone because I wanted a touch phone. I don't have a issue with paying for the data charges. I was just surprised by how much the phone used on it's own.

Also to be fair, Orange never warned me about the fact that it would be this data hungry

RandomLee · 24-09-2009, 1:03 PM

I thought you got 500MB allowance on Orange?

Cyland101 · 24-09-2009, 1:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomLee

I thought you got 500MB allowance on Orange?

Well that's what I thought too, but that was hearsay as I had not actually had that from Orange. The chap on the phone basically said I would have to pay £7.50 for 250Mb.

If I was aware of this before I upgraded I would have pushed harder on the contract... infact prob would have got the new iPhone..... hey ho!

RandomLee · 24-09-2009, 1:41 PM

Well, to be fair it's really up to the customer to fully research the offers and products before they commit to anything, so I don't think Orange can be blamed for this. Surely the best time to ask about the 500MB limit, and the phones data use, would have been before signing up for a contract?

Anyway, the iPhone will be just as data hungry... and a whole lot more restricted in what you want do with it out the box.

Maybe T-Mobile would have been a better option as their monthly allowance is 3GB for the Hero.

Merago · 24-09-2009, 2:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomLee

Maybe T-Mobile would have been a better option as their monthly allowance is 3GB for the Hero.

It is? I thought it was 1GB. See? Sometimes surprises can be nice!

One thing, the data usage experiment I mentioned I've been doing; that's me two weeks in and my average monthly usage based on the current trend is looking like 977MB (that's split between Wi-Fi usage and 2G/3G and I do stream music and video from time to time, so I may be a little on the high side, but probably not by much)

RandomLee · 24-09-2009, 2:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merago

It is? I thought it was 1GB. See? Sometimes surprises can be nice!

One thing, the data usage experiment I mentioned I've been doing; that's me two weeks in and my average monthly usage based on the current trend is looking like 977MB (that's split between Wi-Fi usage and 2G/3G and I do stream music and video from time to time, so I may be a little on the high side, but probably not by much)

Yeah the 3GB limit has been discussed a few times in the main Hero thread.

How much data have you used if you take wifi out of the equation (since you don't pay the mobile networks a penny for that)?

I have the Net Counter app on my phone but since I've swapped ROMs a few times recently it hasn't kept an accurate track on my data usage. My phone connects to wifi at home at work though so I expect 2G / 3G usage would be pretty low.

Cyland101 · 24-09-2009, 2:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomLee

Well, to be fair it's really up to the customer to fully research ....... Surely the best time to ask about the 500MB limit, and the phones data use, would have been before signing up for a contract?

Yeah I do agree with you... I blame the Mrs as I started looking at the HTC, and then went to look at them in the shops at which point she insisted in buying it for me as a birthday pressie.... thereby not giving me anytime to do proper research...

Either way, I'm stuck with it now for the rest of the contract. Don't get me wrong, I do like the phone and am happy with it. In fact I should pay the £7.50 and just use it properly.

The only thing that really bugs me with it is the bloody bluetooth sync which does not transfer all the contacts... but that's another topic

RandomLee · 24-09-2009, 2:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyland101

Yeah I do agree with you... I blame the Mrs as I started looking at the HTC, and then went to look at them in the shops at which point she insisted in buying it for me as a birthday pressie.... thereby not giving me anytime to do proper research...

Either way, I'm stuck with it now for the rest of the contract. Don't get me wrong, I do like the phone and am happy with it. In fact I should pay the £7.50 and just use it properly.

The only thing that really bugs me with it is the bloody bluetooth sync which does not transfer all the contacts... but that's another topic

Haha, oh well... a cool pressie none the less.

Aye, Bluetooth is the main downfall of this phone... I expect it will get sorted before too long though. It's certainly in HTC / Google's interest to do so.

Merago · 24-09-2009, 2:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomLee

Yeah the 3GB limit has been discussed a few times in the main Hero thread.

How much data have you used if you take wifi out of the equation (since you don't pay the mobile networks a penny for that)?

I have the Net Counter app on my phone but since I've swapped ROMs a few times recently it hasn't kept an accurate track on my data usage. My phone connects to wifi at home at work though so I expect 2G / 3G usage would be pretty low.

[Shameless Plug] My findings are here [/Shameless Plug]

By the way RandomLee, I just noticed you're from the Granite City too! Foo's yer doos?

I use wi-fi both at home and at the office too, so my overall 2G/3G usage is actually pretty low, but there will be plenty of people who don't use wi-fi who will find that they may creep pretty close to their monthly limit.

RandomLee · 24-09-2009, 3:37 PM

Cool blog, and interesting findings. I think once I've settled on a ROM I'm happy with I might have to conduct my own data experiment.

Aye, I'm fae Aberdeen n'aw min. Well, I'm from Stockton originally but have lived here for about 27 out of my 29 years

kevinbeard · 24-09-2009, 4:33 PM

That's strange. I'm on Orange and I pay £5 a month for 500MB any time. Maybe it's because I'm on Dolphin 30?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyland101

Well that's what I thought too, but that was hearsay as I had not actually had that from Orange. The chap on the phone basically said I would have to pay £7.50 for 250Mb.

If I was aware of this before I upgraded I would have pushed harder on the contract... infact prob would have got the new iPhone..... hey ho!

Mic2904 · 25-09-2009, 12:54 PM

I have got "unlimited Internet" with Orange, included in my contract.

I actually thought I used my phone a lot... bit browsing, trying few apps (which can be dangerous data wise) and manage to stay under 150MB. I do Weather updates, check my emails only every hour as well as my twitter...

Pretty surprised!

Merago · 25-09-2009, 1:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mic2904

I have got "unlimited Internet" with Orange, included in my contract.

I actually thought I used my phone a lot... bit browsing, trying few apps (which can be dangerous data wise) and manage to stay under 150MB. I do Weather updates, check my emails only every hour as well as my twitter...

Pretty surprised!

150MB per month? That's pretty low! My findings, at my lowest internet usage (no media streaming, a bit of web browsing and downloading a few apps) saw me use around 10-15MB a day. That would still equate to 300-450MB per day. Have you disabled the always on data connection?

As a related aside, I'm sure you probably already know this, but "unlimited internet" is actually only "unlimited" until you hit the 500MB limit with Orange.

Mic2904 · 25-09-2009, 4:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merago

150MB per month? That's pretty low! My findings, at my lowest internet usage (no media streaming, a bit of web browsing and downloading a few apps) saw me use around 10-15MB a day. That would still equate to 300-450MB per day. Have you disabled the always on data connection?

As a related aside, I'm sure you probably already know this, but "unlimited internet" is actually only "unlimited" until you hit the 500MB limit with Orange.

Hi,

firstly: Yes, I know about 500MB, but u r right, you can not mention this enough!

I have deactivated "always on". Most apps only need the location which can be done bu GPS, which then doesnt use data.

In fact I have only used 140.34 MB.

Cyland101 · 01-10-2009, 1:28 PM

Just as a update, after turing off all the options as provided by various posters in this thread, the data usage returned to zero... which is great to know that this can be done.

In the end I went for the £7.50 data bundle (250Mb per month). The 500Mb option was only evenings and weekends (well to me anyway)

nlburk · 22-10-2009, 9:07 AM

I've just received my Hero and I'm probably being a bit thick but I can't find where to check my data usage?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

dtobin · 22-10-2009, 9:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlburk

I've just received my Hero and I'm probably being a bit thick but I can't find where to check my data usage?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Download Netcounter from the Android Store.

nlburk · 22-10-2009, 9:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtobin

Download Netcounter from the Android Store.

Cheers, will do......

Mic2904 · 22-10-2009, 6:43 PM

Just checked my bil and can happily con firm that I managed to stay well under 120MB per last months. Have surfed a fair bit, downloaded a bit, Last.fm, emails etc...

Think I have the perfect setting :D

Adrian Hughes · 27-10-2009, 1:01 PM

Hi guys - regarding the date usage - please read.

Me and my partner both were leaving orange (been with them 15 years!!) and going to go onto the i-phone with o2. We both requested PAC codes etc and told them as i-phone was a half decent deal but i liked the unlimted data & wifi deals.

Now - I took a great deal and the lady said due to the HUGE high usage the HTC hero and iphones etc use these days she will add 500mb per DAY!..i said, WOW as this is normally per month, and she promised per day.
Yesterday I phoned up to check this is all up and running and they said 500mb per month.
I complained and we both said we are sending our phones back. They have now given us 1gb per month.

So my deal is this :
HTC hero (Free)
1500 Mins per month
750 Texts per month
Unlimited land lines per month
Unlimted Wi-Fi
1gb Data per month
£ 29.95

I am still worried 1gb per month is not enough.....any thoughts guys?

Ade

donkey1969 · 27-10-2009, 2:21 PM

I wouldn't worry unless you're downloading large files all the time. I use wi-fi at home for browsing the web and downloading apps from the Android Market, and during the day allow the phone to update the weather, I also check Facebook and e-mails quite often and have Google Auto-synchronisation turned off and only Background data synchronisation turned on.

According to NetCounter I've used 37.26 MB (cellular, not wi-fi) since 15th October. Even if that's not entirely accurate I'm not worried at this stage. I've got the 500MB monthly allowance from Orange.

Gazaman · 02-11-2009, 5:05 PM

Does WI-FI have priority over everything else? Somebody in an earlier post mentioned using the locale app to disable 3g while at home (if you have wifi at home).
I would have thought that wifi would just take over anyway??
Also (sorry if this is a silly question) but does the weather ap (and any others) use gps to update and not data or does it use both?

Thanks

Gaz

Tomo71 · 02-11-2009, 7:00 PM

The handset is obviously an always connected device by default and so will look for any known wifi AP's before a 3g/2g connection.

So, when you walk back in your house, assuming that wifi is still turned on within the phone, it should switch back to using wifi and disconnect the 3g/2g connection.

It doesnt always do this for me but as I have the widgets on one of the homescreens I just turn off and on again to give it a wee poke!

Steve

doug_1986 · 07-01-2010, 8:12 PM

Hi all! I have an HTC hero on orange, have had it for a few months now and just got my first full month bill - was charged £30 extra for data. I have a great contract for just £19 a month ('retentions' department), including. that the £5 'unlimited' data, which has a 500meg fair usage policy. Turned out I hit 1750megs in a month but have no idea how! I connect to WiFi at home and don't use it that much, no streaming etc.

Anyway, I am now paying an extra £5 pm for data, so.£24pm total for the fair usage to be raised to 1gig. It works that after you breach your so called fair usage they charge you £1.50 per day you connect to 3g, but then you can use as much as you want that day. I was told that if that cap was not there I would have had a £3000 bill!

Customer service guy said that in the next 3 or so months they will launch a £10 data package with no fair usage on it, so truly unlimited.