How the hell did this cost me so much?

[yg17]

If data roaming is set to off, your phone will not check email. I went out of the country for a week, had data roaming off the entire time, and with the sole exception of one time when I knowingly turned data roaming back on to download an e-boarding pass and used a few KB, I did not have any extra data roaming charges on my phone, just the one time which I fully expected from getting the boarding pass.

If you turn data roaming back on for a short period of time, it will check your email and download any mail you might have. Also, you said you did use data roaming to check Google Maps. Those maps use a ton of data.

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

If you did get emails when data was off then you would know for sure that something was wrong. But there's no regular KB transfer, unless you are actually getting new emails.

Are you sure? If this isn't the case then I want to know where that data came from. I can't think of any other processes on the phone that would add up like that every day.

When the phone sends out a request to the server, it has to send something. It has to send out some kind of data packet so the server knows what it's supposed to do. Then, either it sends one back with a reply or nothing at all, but either way it would seem more likely that it communicates with the carrier every hour...

 

[anjinha]

Are you sure? If this isn't the case then I want to know where that data came from. I can't think of any other processes on the phone that would add up like that every day.

When the phone sends out a request to the server, it has to send something. It has to send out some kind of data packet so the server knows what it's supposed to do. Then, either it sends one back with a reply or nothing at all, but either way it would seem more likely that it communicates with the carrier every hour...

But if the connection was active where it would send a request to the server, it would also get your email. There's no middle ground. The connection either is active or it isn't.

If the data roaming was off, the request simply doesn't happen.

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

But if the connection was active where it would send a request to the server, it would also get your email. There's no middle ground. The connection either is active or it isn't.

You're right..but this assumes I actually had email to get. I didn't notice any e-mail because maybe I wasn't getting any so it's hard for me to determine whether this was happening or not.

I'm not sure and that's why I'm kicking myself. If it was Google Maps (which I am sure I didn't use every day) then lesson learned...buy a paper map for $12.00...

I guess all I can do is wait to hear back from them. I just wanted to understand what happened because now that I'm in the UK I don't want a $70000 bill when I get home.

 

[alphaod]

The moral of the story is don't turn on your data unless you are ready to pay.

And that's not that bad—I have been charged over $6K because I was apparent roaming data when I was up at the Niagara falls and I was picking up Rogers or whatever they have up norf instead of AT&T; of course I disputed... but you get the idea.

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

The moral of the story is don't turn on your data unless you are ready to pay.

Exactly...and like I said, I don't mind paying for what I used, but I can't see how I could have possibly used that amount of data, that consistently every day of my trip.

 

[anjinha]

You're right..but this assumes I actually had email to get. I didn't notice any e-mail because maybe I wasn't getting any so it's hard for me to determine whether this was happening or not.

I'm not sure and that's why I'm kicking myself. If it was Google Maps (which I am sure I didn't use every day) then lesson learned...buy a paper map for $12.00...

I guess all I can do is wait to hear back from them. I just wanted to understand what happened because now that I'm in the UK I don't want a $70000 bill when I get home.

Part of it was google maps for sure. There was one day alone that you consumed 12MB and a few more where you used 2-4MB. That alone accounts for half your bill in just a few days.

So it wasn't 1-2MB everyday, it was about 20MB in a few days (probably the ones where you used Maps) and then just a little bit of data the other days. Even if it's just a little, it adds up.

Also, the times where you did turn Data Roaming On your iPhone probably started to Fetch all your emails, from your 3 accounts.

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

Fri MAY 01 USA, EDGE WIRELESS OD 50.00 0.31
Mon APR 20 USA, MTPCS OD 452.00 2.71
Thu APR 23 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 387.00 2.32
Sun APR 26 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 191.00 1.14
Tue APR 28 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 344.00 2.07
Sat MAY 02 USA, EDGE WIRELESS OD 622.00 3.76

Mon APR 20 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 1332.00 7.99
Tue APR 21 USA, T-MOBILE OD 1017.00 6.10
Wed APR 22 USA, T-MOBILE OD 1458.00 8.75
Wed APR 22 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 1466.00 8.81
Fri APR 24 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 1902.00 11.41
Sat APR 25 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 2036.00 12.22
Wed APR 29 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 3835.00 23.02
Thu APR 30 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 2438.00 14.63
Sun MAY 03 USA, EDGE WIRELESS OD 1588.00 9.54
Sun MAY 03 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 1410.00 8.46
Mon MAY 04 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 2170.00 13.03

Mon APR 27 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 6941.00 41.64
Fri MAY 01 USA, AT&T MOBILITY OD 12304.00 73.86

I broke this down by size. You can see that most of the charges are between 1.4 and 2.5 megs on average.

There are two days when they were higher and that is because I was in Northern Cali and I couldn't find the hiking trail...so that one I expected.

All the rest though I don't get. I know I didn't use Google maps every day, so something else must have been adding up to that amount...even on the days when I used 12 megs....it still seems reasonable to assume there was those other 1 - 2 megs of data hidden in that...

Also, the times where you did turn Data Roaming On your iPhone probably started to Fetch all your emails, from your 3 accounts.

True, but like I said I was checking emails on WiFi at night...so I shouldn't see that...I can actually check my server and add up the KB during that time and see what they add up to in total. I know for sure I wasn't getting 1 -2 megs worth of email every day though...I'm not that popular.

 

[ViciousShadow21]

Ah yes but you said to contest it, which would by default mean that you are disputing the charges to be valid. If you had said that you would call and ration with them (them being AT&T or whomever the carrier) then I probably would have never responded or I would save my pointed response solely for the OP.

I truly get the mistake but disputing a mistake you knowingly made is far different than asking for assistance after you made such mistake.

i dont know enough about iPhones to have a valid opinion about how they are billed hahaha. so i was just just saying give it the old college try.

 

[anjinha]

True, but like I said I was checking emails on WiFi at night...so I shouldn't see that...I can actually check my server and add up the KB during that time and see what they add up to in total. I know for sure I wasn't getting 1 -2 megs worth of email every day though...I'm not that popular.

- When you did turn Data Roaming On what did you use it for?

- What are your normal email settings? Fetch every hour?

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

When you did turn Data Roaming On what did you use it for?

There were a few days when I turned it on to find places I was going. For the most part when I was heading out I would hit the WiFi at the library, check out the map, then leave it on the screen while I went to the destination. There were a few days when it was straight data as I was quickly checking maps.

I simply can't see how I used that much every day though...it just doesn't add up to me for some reason.

Yup, normally my email is fetch 3 accounts every hour.

 

[alphaod]

Trust me, 3G data gets burned through very quickly; add some images from location based services and you have a crap load of data usage.

 

[9822679]

I agree, unless I did something utterly wrong I don't understand why there is a consistent data usage of 1 - 2 megs. I can't think of anything that I would have done on there that would have accumulated this.

As I said, there were a few times on the road I used the data (having to first turn on data), but then I would turn it off again.

I hope they can adjust it, or at least give me an explanation. I'm now in the UK traveling and I have just shut my phone right off until I can get some kind of idea what these charges are for.

I think we're done with this thread

Go complain to AT&T what the hell do you want from us Sympathy ?

 

[crazylegsmurphy]

Or perhaps a little courtesy.

Your fail photo was very clever. It showed me the error of my ways... *sarcasm*

 

[t0mat0]

I think we're done with this thread
Go complain to AT&T what the hell do you want from us Sympathy ?

Well, looks like some can at least give some empathy

Anyone who's been in a similar situation can probably do that. Unexpected bills, or not realising that you won't be notified for a bill that's much bigger than normal can catch many eople unawares.

 

[anjinha]

Or perhaps a little courtesy.

Your fail photo was very clever. It showed me the error of my ways... *sarcasm*

The thing is, you're underestimating how easy it is to use data with small little things. If you don't want to believe that you really did use this data than go talk with AT&T, there's nothing we can do for you.

We shared our experiences and tried to explain you that this is normal. If you really don't believe it than there's really nothing we can help you with.

I mean, from what you told us and showed us from your bill I can deduce that at least half your bill is from using Maps (about 20MB). The other 20MB, probably less than that even, in two weeks, is not unreasonable at all, even if you didn't use data a lot. You just don't want to see that.

 

[aristobrat]

If data roaming is set to off, your phone will not check email.

Just wanted to add that my friends and I were just in Germany for a week, had data roaming turned off, and none of our iPhones incurred any roaming charges.

My iPhone is set to fetch every hour (4 accounts), and theirs were MobileMe push.

 

[Unspoken Demise]

Sorry kiddo, I did and the charges are clear. What would one believe? A list of charges showing that it appears data was used daily or someone telling you that they didn't do it? If it is the latter I have some swampland in Arizona to sell you.

Hmm. I am in the market for swampland. What can you offer me? I can tell you I am a smart cookie. You can't fool me! Oh, sorry, I'm in another country and need to use data. I sure AT&T won't mind. But I tell you I'm no fool!

 

[jaseone]

I've traveled many times abroad with my iPhone and have never had problems with roaming charges for data, first things I always do on the plane after boarding are:

1. Ensure data roaming is off like it should be
2. Switch email checking to manual
3. Switch on airplane mode

Then if I want to check something using Wifi at my destination I just switch WiFi on, which leaves the Phone part off and absolutely ensures that no cellular data is used.

If I need to make a phone call, check texts/voicemail or am expecting a call then I will turn the phone part back on temporarily. This is just me being paranoid though and I am fairly sure it isn't necessary to prevent data roaming charges.

To me it sounds like you either switched data roaming on every day or you forgot and left it on so your phone continued to check email every day as I'm sorry but switching data roaming off definitely does work!

 

[instaxgirl]

I went down there knowing that roaming charges were a real concern because I didn't want to get hit with a huge bill. I thought I was keeping a close eye on the data, and so I am a little surprised to find out that much data was being used per day.

For future reference you can check how much data you've used in the usage pane in settings.

 

[jav6454]

... snip data fee ...

Well, you can't contest charges, you racked them up knowingly. Using Data abroad on an iPhone is the worst thing to do if you are trying to avoid a huge bill.

Now, your usage is what it is, nothing can change that. Pay up, don't avoid the charges, doing so is like ordering at a restaurant and then saying at time of the check you never ordered.

 

[iPhoneNYC]

Did you sign up for an international data plan before you left? I think all of the usage you have would have fit into a $59 plan. You can adjust these international plans month by month - adding greater when you travel. I would call the international desk and see what you can work out.

 

[cellocello]

If I leave the country, Airplane mode goes on - no questions asked.

 

[9822679]

Well, looks like some can at least give some empathy

Anyone who's been in a similar situation can probably do that. Unexpected bills, or not realising that you won't be notified for a bill that's much bigger than normal can catch many eople unawares.

"Damn I hate it when I burn my hand when I touch the stove"

Why should I have any sympathy/emphathy for a bonehead move, especially when that person complains later.

"ZOMG my iphone uses too much internets when I turned on the data plan, and Now I want to complain about the charges"

I was in Japan for two weeks, and not once turned on Data. I didn't incur any charges. If I turned it on and got charges, those charges are my own fault.

If I leave the country, Airplane mode goes on - no questions asked.

Exactly

 

[yg17]

A couple things:

1. If data roaming is on, your iPhone will check accounts for new email, and data will be used even if you don't have any new e-mail. It sends data to the server, the server sends data back telling the phone you have no e-mails. You still end up paying for that data.

2. Other things might run in the background if you have roaming on, such as checking for app updates, and contacts and calendar sync, if you have that set up. When you turn roaming on, your iPhone acts as if you are in your home country, it doesn't hold back any syncing or update checking.

3. Any dates and times on your bill for data usage likely do not correspond to the times you turned on data. The network you're roaming on (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) periodically report to your home carrier how much data you used since the last report. The times of those notifications are likely the timestamp on your bill, not the actual time when you turned data on and checked something. I have no idea how often AT&T reports, but let's say they report back to your carrier every 2 hours. If in the middle of using Google Maps, that 2 hour mark is hit and AT&T reports, data usage will show up twice on your bill, one for what you used before that report and one for what you used after that report.