Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
#1
Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
We live rurally, and have a data plan with a 100gb limit. We have exceeded this (by around $150 worth) three weeks into the month. This would be bad enough, but the router has already been switched off for 10 days earlier in the month due to high usage.
This problem has obviously been exacerbated by the school holidays, but has really been an ongoing issue for years. Sometimes we are under the limit but there doesn’t seem to be any reason for that either.
I am sitting in Starbucks trying to google reasons but not really coming up with anything. I don’t think it’s down to tv/YouTube as far as I know they are not being used. We don’t have Netflix. Does anyone have any idea?
This problem has obviously been exacerbated by the school holidays, but has really been an ongoing issue for years. Sometimes we are under the limit but there doesn’t seem to be any reason for that either.
I am sitting in Starbucks trying to google reasons but not really coming up with anything. I don’t think it’s down to tv/YouTube as far as I know they are not being used. We don’t have Netflix. Does anyone have any idea?
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Near Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 1,316
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
We live rurally, and have a data plan with a 100gb limit. We have exceeded this (by around $150 worth) three weeks into the month. This would be bad enough, but the router has already been switched off for 10 days earlier in the month due to high usage.
This problem has obviously been exacerbated by the school holidays, but has really been an ongoing issue for years. Sometimes we are under the limit but there doesn’t seem to be any reason for that either.
I am sitting in Starbucks trying to google reasons but not really coming up with anything. I don’t think it’s down to tv/YouTube as far as I know they are not being used. We don’t have Netflix. Does anyone have any idea?
This problem has obviously been exacerbated by the school holidays, but has really been an ongoing issue for years. Sometimes we are under the limit but there doesn’t seem to be any reason for that either.
I am sitting in Starbucks trying to google reasons but not really coming up with anything. I don’t think it’s down to tv/YouTube as far as I know they are not being used. We don’t have Netflix. Does anyone have any idea?
#4
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
For some Reason I find that Reddit really chews through my data.
especially the mobile app
If they are using it get them to turn autoplay for gifs and videos off
especially the mobile app
If they are using it get them to turn autoplay for gifs and videos off
#5
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
- Sharing files via peer-to-peer software
- Streaming visual via Webcam (Skype, FB Messenger video call)
- Video conferences
- Watching online video sites like YouTube / Twitch
- Downloading movies and music
- Listening to Internet radio (audio streaming)
- Playing network games (game console or computer)
From Telus:
https://www.telus.com/en/bc/support/...our-data-usage
Downloading movies Approximately 700 MB (depending on the length of the movie)
Video conferencing 200 MB per hour
Streaming audio Up to 100 MB per hour
Uploading/downloading large files Over 100 MB
Online gaming From 25 MB/hr to 200 MB/hr (depending on the game)
if you download games for PS4 / Xbox they can use mega Gb's
https://www.bandwidthplace.com/the-p...ore-bandwidth/
Use these links to get an idea on what data you're likely using
https://www3.bellmts.ca/mts/support/...age+calculator
https://support.bell.ca/internet/usage/calculator
The other thing is, do you have your router masked and locked down securely? - other people could be accessing if you don't.
Read some tips on how to here: http://support.videotron.com/residen...ireless-access
- Streaming visual via Webcam (Skype, FB Messenger video call)
- Video conferences
- Watching online video sites like YouTube / Twitch
- Downloading movies and music
- Listening to Internet radio (audio streaming)
- Playing network games (game console or computer)
From Telus:
https://www.telus.com/en/bc/support/...our-data-usage
Downloading movies Approximately 700 MB (depending on the length of the movie)
Video conferencing 200 MB per hour
Streaming audio Up to 100 MB per hour
Uploading/downloading large files Over 100 MB
Online gaming From 25 MB/hr to 200 MB/hr (depending on the game)
if you download games for PS4 / Xbox they can use mega Gb's
https://www.bandwidthplace.com/the-p...ore-bandwidth/
Use these links to get an idea on what data you're likely using
https://www3.bellmts.ca/mts/support/...age+calculator
https://support.bell.ca/internet/usage/calculator
The other thing is, do you have your router masked and locked down securely? - other people could be accessing if you don't.
Read some tips on how to here: http://support.videotron.com/residen...ireless-access
Last edited by Siouxie; Jul 27th 2018 at 7:01 pm.
#6
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
It could just be web browsing. https://daringfireball.net/linked/20...usa-today-gdpr
TL;DR - USA Today website is 5.2MB in size, but in europe, due to those new GDPR (privacy) rules, the same website is 500kb (0.5MB).
I suspect adverts and suchlike also slurp the data a fair bit too.
Autoplaying also slurps it too.
TL;DR - USA Today website is 5.2MB in size, but in europe, due to those new GDPR (privacy) rules, the same website is 500kb (0.5MB).
I suspect adverts and suchlike also slurp the data a fair bit too.
Autoplaying also slurps it too.
#7
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
It sounds like a lot of data. Even if you use all your devices heavily for 16 hours daily, that's averaging 500 MB per hour ??
#8
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
Peer to peer sharing was a big one for us. One of our kids downloaded Limewire, they had no idea it was file sharing and all the time our computers were on, we were acting as a server. Only happened for one month before we shut it down.
#9
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
I always find this talk of limits somewhat bemusing. We've always had unlimited and it's always been the least of the three options (good, better & best) available.
Imagine if there were limits on phone usage and it cut out just as you were saying something imp
Imagine if there were limits on phone usage and it cut out just as you were saying something imp
#10
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
Yeah, make sure you have ad-blockers installed. Now so many sites want to have video ads on their pages, those are all going to add up.
Otherwise, the only thing I might do that would add up to 100GB in three weeks is downloading new games on Steam. Some of those can get up to 60GB or more these days.
Otherwise, the only thing I might do that would add up to 100GB in three weeks is downloading new games on Steam. Some of those can get up to 60GB or more these days.
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
Data limits are the norm with the 2 big telecoms out my way (Telus and Shaw) although we have gone over a couple times with shaw and they didn't cut the service or charge more, apparently if its not a regular ongoing occurrence they have some forgiveness. We are using on average 140gb a month of the 150gb limit our plan has.
We have never gone over on our cell phone, so no clue if they would cut service at the limit which is 10gb.,
We have never gone over on our cell phone, so no clue if they would cut service at the limit which is 10gb.,
#12
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
You presumably have Bell Aliant Fibe (Fibre Op) like we do? Unlimited data and very fast but bloody expensive.
#13
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
Probably best to move this topic to GENERAL and THE LAB. Moderator?..
I suspect you may have MALWARE or VIRUS problems.
In addition there are other ways to control and check your used bandwidth
Who is your provider and what kind of Modem/Router do they supply?
I suspect you may have MALWARE or VIRUS problems.
In addition there are other ways to control and check your used bandwidth
Who is your provider and what kind of Modem/Router do they supply?
#14
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
Data limits are the norm with the 2 big telecoms out my way (Telus and Shaw) although we have gone over a couple times with shaw and they didn't cut the service or charge more, apparently if its not a regular ongoing occurrence they have some forgiveness. We are using on average 140gb a month of the 150gb limit our plan has.
We have never gone over on our cell phone, so no clue if they would cut service at the limit which is 10gb.,
We have never gone over on our cell phone, so no clue if they would cut service at the limit which is 10gb.,
#15
Re: Is anyone techy? Data usage woes
but bloody expensive.
We're approaching the end of the three year deal. I know everyone says threaten to leave and they'll offer a reduction but negotiation like that is not my strong point.
The thing is I look at the cost and even comparing with the non discounted price I cannot find a cheaper alternative. Rogers does a comparable package for what we pay now but only because of their discount and theirs is only a year.
I often wonder if "skinny" TV and separate internet could be cheaper but the Sportsnet/TSN channels are important to me and by the time the cost of those is added, plus additional boxes, it's actually more than the non discounted bundle price.