Verizon Wireless Data Usage

[matt819]

One of my kids just managed to get off of my phone plan and got his own.

The process of switching over (from Verizon Wireless to Google Fi) prompted him to look at his data usage. He noticed that his data usage on VW was in the 15GB-20GB range, which he thought was very high. He just got Google Fi, and he and his wife (yes, he got off my plan after he got married), and their data usage, collectively, will be under 6 GB. His usage is kind of "normal." E-mail, web, sometimes GPS, no video streaming on the phone. On VW we had the unlimited plan, so there were no additional costs for that reported usage, but he still doesn't believe that he in fact had the level of usage.

So, some questions.

Anyone ever notice this - higher reported usage than you would expect given the use of your phone? BTW, trying to retrieve this info from the VW website used to be easier than it is now, probably deliberately, but that's another complaint.

Would it be in VW's interest to report higher levels of usage, since there's not really any financial incentive - we're already on the unlimited plan.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[rickford66]

1. The unlimited plan has limits on the higher speeds.

We have two Iphones and a tablet on our unlimited plan. We use them lots because our Frontier DSL is either slow on on the fritz quite often. They slow down somewhat but are still usable after the warnings we get about our high speed being used up. So, if Verizon says you used more hi speed, they can prematurely cut you back.

[earthshine]

2. Doesn't Verizon "throttle" after 15GB usage?

My wife and I were recently "on the road" for a few weeks, making us very dependent on VW wireless services.

Seemed we racked up those 15GBs pretty darn fast. Too fast.

I am inclined to agree with you that they are either dishonest, or, it just takes more bytes to satisfy basic internet requests compared with broadband.

We have an unlimited plan. But after 15GBs, they slowed us down.

Your mileage may vary.

[CaptainTruth]

3. I also have VW & noticed high data use until I disabled background data.

With background data enabled the phone was doing all kinds of things that used data, like updating apps, backing up, etc while I was out & about (not on WiFi) with the phone in my pocket.

Now I disable background data every time I leave the house & my data use is about 1/10 of what it was before.


On my phone it's Settings > Data usage > [drop-down menu] > Restrict background data