Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

How to Track Data Use and Choose the Right Smartphone Plan

posted by CoolHand on Monday December 28 2015, @07:56PM   Printer-friendly
from the helpful-tips dept.

"SpallsHurgenson" writes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/17/technology/personaltech/how-to-track-data-use-and-choose-the-right-smartphone-plan.html

I looked into a number of different approaches for calculating cellular data use. Each of the big American carriers offers an app or web tool for monitoring data consumption. But I recommend against those solutions because in my testing, they were generally time-consuming or poorly designed.

Instead, the quickest way to monitor your data use is by simply using your phone. Each carrier has a hidden code that you can punch into your phone to get an update on data use.

For AT&T subscribers, the method is simple. You place a phone call to *DATA# (*3282#). AT&T will send a text message showing the amount of megabytes you have used out of your monthly allotment. It showed that so far this month I have used 464 megabytes out of 3 gigabytes.

[...] Similarly, Sprint customers can send a text message containing the word "Usage" to the number 1311 and get a text message with a data report. T-Mobile subscribers can place a call to #WEB# (#932#) to receive a quick data summary.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
How to Track Data Use and Choose the Right Smartphone Plan | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 27 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 28 2015, @09:55PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 28 2015, @09:55PM (#281873)

    This does not work as well if you commonly mooch from WiFi hotspots.

    My own cellular hot-spot forgets the data usage every time I power it down :P

    Starting Score:    0  points
    Moderation   +1  
       Interesting=1, Total=1
    Extra 'Interesting' Modifier   0  
    Total Score:   1  

  • (Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Tuesday December 29 2015, @01:22AM

    by Nerdfest (80) on Tuesday December 29 2015, @01:22AM (#281928)

    The data counters in Android handle this perfectly. I tend to be on hotspots most of the day and mobile just when out or in transit from work. It's always been exceptionally accurate from what I can tell.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 29 2015, @03:12AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 29 2015, @03:12AM (#281953)

      I meant that I never turn on the cellular radio.

      So I have a situation where some of the bits are metered, while others are not (or metered as a much lower rate). These are all blended together in the same chart.