4G Data Usage ? To those on Android

[BHP41]

I rarely use over 2GB a month on my iPhone4, I'm thinking of opening a line on Verizon before the unlimited ends to lock myself into it for 4G(that's the way I understand it).

My question for those using 4G on Android, have you seen your data usage jump up vs 3G? I'm not 100% on how this could happen, but I've read some posts that since the data speeds are higher you will be using more data.

I really not sure about this as if you load a page on say a Thunderbolt while on 3G vs 4G wouldn't the data used to load that page be the same except for the speed in which it loads.

If you're not seeing and increase in the amount of data being used then I see no reason to sign up now as unlimited wouldn't mean much to me unless this is going to happen.

 

[Icedog]

I have a Verizon LTE Mi-Fi provided for me by my work. The thing is blazing fast in the Chicago suburbs and things I normally wouldn't do over 3g (download an ISO or software of some sort) I find myself doing over LTE. So yeah, I can see data usage going up, even on a phone because I would never care about finding wifi to hook up to as where Wifi many times will be faster than ATT 3g, the LTE Mi-fi is almost always faster.

 

[Reaper0bot0]

My usage has more than doubled. Netflix is much more useful when you've got sufficient bandwidth! I also browse a bit more.

 

[aneftp]

I really not sure about this as if you load a page on say a Thunderbolt while on 3G vs 4G wouldn't the data used to load that page be the same except for the speed in which it loads.

You really only need about 256kpbs to load normal webpages. These crazy 10-20mpbs are really just marketing.

The only time you really need that type of speed is if you were downloading large files.

It's like Cox Cable in northern VA. My than girlfriend at the time was paying $40 plus for 6mbps on her cable internet. I switched her to the "limited 760 kpbs/$18 a month plan). And she really didn't notice any difference in everyday browsing, including youtube.

Most standard webpages will load fine with just 256kpbs.

What makes a difference in speed is really the processing power and RAM in the phone/computer these days.

Now to get back to the Thunderbolt...my friend uses about 1-2GB data each month on his phone. The real issue with these first gen LTE Verizon chips is battery drainage. His LTE Thunderbolt is usually dead or needs to be recharged by 1-2PM each day.

 

[wordoflife]

These crazy 10-20mpbs are really just marketing.

I agree. After 2-3Mb/s, you won't notice a difference of speed while using it on the device. If you were connecting your computer, then you would notice the speed difference ... but hey, you can't really do that either on the already capped plans unless you pay more for the feature.

With 4G LTE, your only doing things faster. I don't see how this would increase data usage unless you use your device more. Data usage won't go up by itself by doing the same tasks as you do on 3G unless you change the tasks you do on your phone.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I disagree... Sure 2-3 mb will let you do everything necessary on today's phones, but you only have 2-3 mb when you have decent service. What about when your in a congested area. Maybe that 10mb max will then be a 2-3 mb connection that is still perfectly usable.

Not to mention that phone's will only get more and more demanding.

 

[wordoflife]

I disagree... Sure 2-3 mb will let you do everything necessary on today's phones, but you only have 2-3 mb when you have decent service. What about when your in a congested area. Maybe that 10mb max will then be a 2-3 mb connection that is still perfectly usable.

Not to mention that phone's will only get more and more demanding.

I'm not saying that 4G/LTE isn't useful ... I'm just saying that you won't be able to notice a difference when pulling weather or email information.

 

[Carl G35c]

I typically use 3-4 GBs per month on my Thunderbolt.

Last month I jumped to 8 GBs bc my home internet went out one night and I wanted to watch Netflix lol

 

[YaBoiD]

I agree. After 2-3Mb/s, you won't notice a difference of speed while using it on the device. If you were connecting your computer, then you would notice the speed difference ... but hey, you can't really do that either on the already capped plans unless you pay more for the feature.

...which IMHO is the reason why wireless providers should at least allow us to tether on our plans since the end user won't even notice the difference on his/her device over 2-3Mb's. We shouldn't have to pay more to tether & really utilize the advantage of LTE.

 

[diamond.g]

I'm not saying that 4G/LTE isn't useful ... I'm just saying that you won't be able to notice a difference when pulling weather or email information.

Latency is very important with an Air Interface. Cable and DSL already have super low latency so it makes stuff appear to load faster. WLAN needs sub 50ms latency to really stop the need for more bandwidth. (all IMO)

 

[erayser]

I have a Verizon 4G LTE mifi also like an earlier poster. I haven't notice any jump in data usage since I stated using 4G LTE. I think my data usage increased more because of the apps available today (e.g. Netlix, Hulu+, etc...)

I use it with my iPad mostly, but my wife and I occasionally connects our iPhone 4's when there isn't a AT&T 3G signal, or when wife is uploading large pictures to Facebook from her iPhone app. I use my iPad more than my iPhone, and I take my iPad with me everywhere I go. I usually average 1 to 2.5 gigs a month. Last billing cycle I almost hit 5 gigs of data... because we were on vacation, and was streaming a lot of live videos, Netflix, and radio. It's very rare that I go over 3 gigs since I always access to wifi at work and home. My work also pays for my 4G LTE mifi, but I work at the office, so rarely use my work laptop with it. 4G is great, but once in a while, it switches to Verizon 3G. Verizon's 3G is good most of the time, but sometimes it's so slow, it's unusable. Other than that, I'm happy with Verizon's 4G LTE speeds, and 3G coverage.

 

[DiamondMac]

I typically use 3-4 GBs per month on my Thunderbolt.

Last month I jumped to 8 GBs bc my home internet went out one night and I wanted to watch Netflix lol

Abuser!!!!!! How dare you watch several Netflix movies! Don't you know that you are now officially a 24/7 streamer that needs to pay TRIPLE what you pay now!