Need helping finding the right phone plan (how much data do you use?)

[Shankveld 4,951]

So I'm getting my first smart phone (yay finally!)

and I'm picking a plan

I got a social plan (unlimited talk/text/social media)

but I'd also like to browse the internet too (namely the forums) while I'm bored at work.

I can get a data add-on, but I don't know how much data I'll need.

The data add-ons come in:

200MB

500MB

1GB

3GB

6GB

10GB

Which would you suggest? And how much do you use?

Thanks for the help!

~

Edited July 12, 2012 by Shankveld

[Twiliscael 3,962]

all the data!

 

seriously, I have no idea. my parents pay for my smart-phone plan :3 Smartphones are awesome though!

[ProjectRKA 2,848]

If you have WiFi access at your job you should just use that. Getting the data add-on would just make your phone bills more expensive.

However, if you don't have WiFi access you should go with the one that seems most reasonable.

Edited July 11, 2012 by ProjectRKA

[MVC NVMXD JVRXD 2,406]

3GB seems pretty good.

If they don't have wifi, that is.

[IvoryVinyl 48]

If there was no WiFi at my house, I'd probably use all 5GB of my plan, but because I do have WiFi, I only use about 800MB. It's nice to not worry about it though.

 

One app I recommend is 3G Watchdog. You punch in your plan and your billing cycle, and it will tell you how much you're using, and if it's almost used up, you can let it cut you off with another app for the rest of the cycle. It doesn't do that unless you're at 99% though.

[Nightfall 3,950]

Well, how much would you need?

Only get as much as you need. Anymore, and you're throwing money away.

 

3G sounds like its enough...

[Motion Spark 7,811]

it depends, if you're a vivid youtube user, or like to download endless amounts of music and videos, better get an unlimited plan or the 6GB (10GB seems too much, and it looks like it is expensive). But if you're a moderate internaut, then you should pick the 1GB, 3GB if you're not sure. You haven't posted the prices, so it's hard to pick

 

My plan is 2GB limited, after that, the speed is reduced.

[Akemi Homura 7,682]

 

You should create a poll for this. I have a feeling lots of replies will roll in soon.

 

I recommend you get the 3G in case you don't do anything major while surfing the internet, but then again I've never had a mobile phone in my life before. Either way though, 3G sounds like it's enough.

[KakeiTheWolf 652]

I have the best and cheapest plan ever: No plan. I don't have a cell phone.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,529]

There should be a "B" in "GB," Shankveld, or you're referring to a "giga".

 

How much you need really depends on your usage. I do not have a data plan with my cell phone, but my mom does. She has a 500 MB package and rarely reaches even 100 MB of usage per month. Unfortunately, that's the smallest data package that her carrier offers, but she would go lower if she could (the prices carriers charge for mobile Internet access are ridiculous). The majority of her data usage comprises reading and sending emails (sometimes with the occasional attached picture) and some light web browsing.

 

If you plan to watch videos and download music and/or applications over the air, then you'll want a larger package. I would personally suggest starting with the 200 MB package and tracking your usage (your phone should record somewhere how much you've transferred). If you see yourself coming dangerously close to the limit before the month is over, upgrade to the next tier. I'm sure your carrier won't mind.

[Ol' Sarge 886]

The problem is which phone are you getting? Depending on the carrier, there are sooooo many options out there, it's really hard to tell you. I guess try to think about what you will be doing with it and ask the salesperson what they would recommend. That said, they ARE in sales.

 

Good luck!

[Cupcake Ice Cream 436]

My wife uses her iphone all the time...5GB from Verizon does the trick but it's too much...2-3gb is usually great

[Shankveld 4,951]

Thanks for all the help ! ~

[Love4discord18 269]

Well, I'm with Koodo ( dunno if you have that there, it's part of Telus ) and I have an LG Optimum 1. I don't have data on it, I just have unlimited text and like 60 min , free calling weekends and nights after 6PM. Costs me 25$. Most smartphones have wifi now, which is free, that's how I connect to the internet at home and school, I don't care about the internet else where.