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Data plan question regarding 3g vs. wifi usage

R

rowuncw

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 27, 2010
24
0
Hi all. I have a quick question about the iPad 2 data plans. Apologies in advance if it's been answered before.

I want to purchase the Wifi+3g model, and the vast majority of my iPad usage will be in my home, which has wireless. So I would leave 3g turned off most of the time to conserve data, or inactivate my plan all together unless I go on a trip or something. For both AT&T and Verizon, there is some small print that seems to suggest that the data allocation each much "includes wi-fi browsing". Does this mean that data usage over a wireless network counts toward my 3g data usage, even if 3g is turned off or inactive? I can't imagine that it does, but I just want to be sure.
 
Data over wifi should not count as part of your 3G use. I'm not sure how they could even charge you for wifi in your own home.
 
rowuncw said:
Hi all. I have a quick question about the iPad 2 data plans. Apologies in advance if it's been answered before.

I want to purchase the Wifi+3g model, and the vast majority of my iPad usage will be in my home, which has wireless. So I would leave 3g turned off most of the time to conserve data, or inactivate my plan all together unless I go on a trip or something. For both AT&T and Verizon, there is some small print that seems to suggest that the data allocation each much "includes wi-fi browsing". Does this mean that data usage over a wireless network counts toward my 3g data usage, even if 3g is turned off or inactive? I can't imagine that it does, but I just want to be sure.
Click to expand...

As long as you turn off the 3g your data will not count toward your monthly usage. However if you were to leave it on while using wifi it may end up using some of the data.
 
jessica. said:
Data over wifi should not count as part of your 3G use. I'm not sure how they could even charge you for wifi in your own home.
Click to expand...

True true, but I'm sure I've seen posts on here claiming they've been charged for 3G while on wi-fi, but I'm in the pub now and can't be arsed to search for them (although pub does have wi-fi so should be free :) )
 
I think that might mean that if there's a day in which you use nothing but Wifi data, it counts against your usage time limit. In other words, you pay for a month a service, and are only on 3G for 25 of those 30 days. Your service still expires at day 30, not day 35.
 
thunderbunny said:
True true, but I'm sure I've seen posts on here claiming they've been charged for 3G while on wi-fi, but I'm in the pub now and can't be arsed to search for them (although pub does have wi-fi so should be free :) )
Click to expand...

Cell companies can't tell when you're doing data over wifi, they can only see data that got sent over 3G. Makes it hard for them to charge you for it. :)
 
jessica. said:
Data over wifi should not count as part of your 3G use. I'm not sure how they could even charge you for wifi in your own home.
Click to expand...

It DOES NOT count. If you are using wifi you will not lose any 3G data. I leave 3G turned off anyway just to conserve the battery as I only need it periodically.
 
Ah good to know. I'm sure my comment led to much confusion. Thank goodness you cleared that one up for me. ;)
 
miamialley said:
No. You said it should not count. That is different than it does not count, as the later implies certainty, while your statement implies doubt.

"Will this cut off my finger?"

"It shouldn't."

"It will not."

Just sayin.
Click to expand...

duty_calls.png
 
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