Data allowance and WiFi: Whats the difference?

loofer

Some networks advertise 500MB/1GB/Unlimited internet and some also mention WiFi access in addition to this, or just a data allowance on its own.

Now my understanding is that mobile internet is via the 3G network and is dependant on your tariff chosen whereas WiFi isn't really concerned with tariff/network. In fact, I would have thought that even if you didn't have a sim in the phone, as long as it was able to pick up a WiFi connection from an access point and you had the password you could still browse and download content.

So if network A offers:
X mins
X texts
1GB data

But Network B offers
X mins
X texts
1GB data & unlimited Wifi

are they one and the same thing?

Macca1983

From reading it perhaps not.

With network A they would still class WiFi as part of your data so you would get 1GB only as part of your contract.

With network B you would get 1GB data but if you used it via WiFi it wouldn't count towards your data.

Thats how I see it anyways.

MissKeith

I always assumed the WiFi bit was part of the networks own WiFi hot spots, for example the Cloud.

loofer

MissKeith wrote: »

I always assumed the WiFi bit was part of the networks own WiFi hot spots, for example the Cloud.

Aah, now there's something. i know O2 talk of the Cloud and I think they also paired up with BT Openzone. So my understanding now is that as part of a tariff that states WiFi, you get access to their access points/wifi coverage. You can browse as muc as you want and download (almost) as much as you want. If their is no coverage then it reverts to 3G and you use part of your allowance.

A tariff without wifi, however, just means you have to rely on your own wifi access points, such as @ home or @ friends house or cafe, but using this will not affect your data allowance.

Am I finally understanding this correctly now?

Chorlie

Not all WiFi is free, some shops etc offer free WiFi so you can connect to the free via Phone, Laptop etc. but other WiFi isn't free and they charge you per hour, day, week or month.

Some mobile providers have done a deal that you can use 'X' WiFi for free as part of your tariff, ie O2 you can use BT WiFi for free.

Therefore there is a difference and free WiFi helps to cut down your 3G Data use.

Chorlie

loofer wrote: »

Aah, now there's something. i know O2 talk of the Cloud and I think they also paired up with BT Openzone. So my understanding now is that as part of a tariff that states WiFi, you get access to their access points/wifi coverage. You can browse as muc as you want and download (almost) as much as you want. If their is no coverage then it reverts to 3G and you use part of your allowance.

A tariff without wifi, however, just means you have to rely on your own wifi access points, such as @ home or @ friends house or cafe, but using this will not affect your data allowance.

Am I finally understanding this correctly now?

Posted at the sometime.

You're correct, but you can buy a voucher to use the likes of the Cloud and use the WiFi that way, but it's not cheap IMHO.