iPhone data usage gone through the roof?

Petlamb

I have an iPhone 4 on Orange. My plan gives me 700 anytime minutes, unlimited texts, 50 MMS, and Mobile Internet 750MB.

This month's bill says:
Data (inclusive megabytes used) 1453.7145
Mobile Internet & Data** (megabytes) 98.8790 £16.660

December:
Data (inclusive megabytes used) 1506.0891
Mobile Internet & Data** (megabytes) 134.8809 £10.829

November:
Data (inclusive megabytes used) 310.6744

And what makes no sense to me is that I really, honestly, do not believe I've changed my usage habits whatsoever over this period. November's usage is the more "normal" one for me, I've never had additional data charges before (and I've had this handset for over a year now). Checking this month's usage it states:
332.97 MB used, 417.03 MB remaining

(my next bill is due to be produced on the 17th).

I feel sick, it's pushed my bill up to just short of £50, which is way above budget and beyond what we can afford...

Any ideas/help/advice/experiences would be very useful and helpful, thanks x

pleasedelete

Have you downloaded an app that connects to the Internet? Have you changed your mail to push through more often or automatically?

gjchester

Vampiric_Addiction wrote: »

I

And what makes no sense to me is that I really, honestly, do not believe I've changed my usage habits whatsoever over this period. November's usage is the more "normal" one for me, I've never had additional data charges before (and I've had this handset for over a year now). Checking this month's usage it states:
332.97 MB used, 417.03 MB remaining

(my next bill is due to be produced on the 17th).

I feel sick, it's pushed my bill up to just short of £50, which is way above budget and beyond what we can afford...

Any ideas/help/advice/experiences would be very useful and helpful, thanks x

Anyone else in your household had use of the phone? Say watching iPlayer on it.

You may be able to get a breakdown to see when it's been used, and tie it down that way,

Petlamb

I don't even use push email, I only have it retrieve when I actively request it.

The most data intensive thing I ever do on it is occasionally (and I do mean occasionally) watch a short youtube video now and again, but I've done that for pretty much the entire time I've had the handset.

As for others in the house, there's only me and the mr, he uses his BB so never touches my phone.

I'm going to have to get through to Orange I think, but know from personal experience most front line will say "well that's what you've been charged, so you owe it, bye"... Will push to see if I can get some kind of extra info though, I'm literally shaking. This almost doubles my bill.

oopsadaisydoddle

Have you updated the software version recently? I think I remember reading something about one of the software updates caused this increase in data.

Although I could be wrong, I definitely think the data will have been used somehow. It's just a matter of finding what caused it. I'm not aware of any system issues within Orange that would have caused incorrect info.

Petlamb

Nope, last update was ages ago. Totally at a loss.

grumbler

Vampiric_Addiction wrote: »

I have an iPhone 4 on Orange. My plan gives me 700 anytime minutes, unlimited texts, 50 MMS, and Mobile Internet 750MB.

This month's bill says:
Data (inclusive megabytes used) 1453.7145
Mobile Internet & Data** (megabytes) 98.8790 £16.660

The figures make no sense to me.
If the allowance is 750, how is it possible to use 1453 "inclusive megabytes"?!

Also, AFAIK, there is a £1 daily cap on browsing charges.

Orange + Apple = explosive mixture

That said, it's beyond me how people on tight budget, that can't afford paying extra £16, can afford having iPhones...

oopsadaisydoddle

I think the 'inclusive usage' is anything zero-rated (orange world for e.g.), and anything used under the £1 daily cap. So it's possible that OP used the inclusive 750 MB within the first 14 days and then the rest was used over the next 16 days @ £1 per day.

Petlamb

grumbler wrote: »

The figures make no sense to me.
If the allowance is 750, how is it possible to use 1453 "inclusive megabytes"?!

Also, AFAIK, there is a £1 daily cap on browsing charges.

Orange + Apple = explosive mixture

That said, it's beyond me how people on tight budget, that can't afford paying extra £16, can afford having iPhones...

Thanks for the sarcasm, at £25 a month, I can afford the base contract and didn't pay anything additional for the handset. Adding £16 plus VAT is a pretty big sodding increase.

But thanks ever so much for your useful input...

ETA - and someone seems to have forgotten the concept of a "contract", taken out when money was more readily available.

grumbler

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

I think the 'inclusive usage' is anything zero-rated (orange world for e.g.), and anything used under the £1 daily cap. So it's possible that OP used the inclusive 750 MB within the first 14 days and then the rest was used over the next 16 days @ £1 per day.

This does make some sense as £16.66 was before VAT.
16.66*1.2=20.00.
If so, the allowance was swallowed in the first 10 days.

Interestingly, 10.829*1.2=13.00 too.

Vampiric_Addiction wrote: »

Thanks for the sarcasm, at £25 a month, I can afford the base contract and didn't pay anything additional for the handset.

Base contract and a 'free' phone? This is self-delusion.
Even if you do need 700 minutes and unlimited texts, the airtime costs no more than £12.

Petlamb

Now, see grumbler, that was useful. Thank you!

It still doesn't make any sense to me though, like I say it means my usage has more than trebled, without any change in behaviour from me.