Numpty question about Broadband usage

TomsMom

I'm technically challenged so please forgive this numpty question .

I don't have unlimited broadband, I have a package that gives me 10GB allowance per month and it's all I've ever needed.

What exactly is it that uses up the allowance?

I don't watch any TV programmes on the internet, don't really download anything or upload anything onto, say YouTube. I just tend to visit a couple of forums, do a bit of shopping, find information, etc. I occasionally watch something on YouTube that someone on a forum may have linked to or perhaps a short tutorial for something.

My computer has been set so that when I turn it on it automatically connects to the internet. I turn the computer on in the morning, check my emails, etc. If I leave it on all day but not actually use the computer does the fact that it's connected to the 'net use anything? Would it be better to not have it automatically connect to the 'net and just connect when I want to use it?

Recently my young grandson came for a visit and he had his iPad with him. He spent most of one day watching NetFlix using my WiFi. I had an email from my provider the next morning to say that I'd exceeded my monthly limit and they'd provided me with some more and that it would cost me an extra £5. Fair enough, I didn't know about it because it had never happened before and my DD paid the £5 as it was all down to the films.

Looking at my usage on my provider's website in Nov/Dec I used 4.7GB and for the first 7 days of the Dec/Jan period I've used 1.22GB. I'm trying to find out what constitutes usage.

benje302

This link explains it nicely

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=33467

Ben

TomsMom

Thank you Ben. I quite often use my laptop in the evening in the lounge when I've got the TV on, I think I'd better switch off my desktop (which is in another room) when I do that then, not much point in keeping the desktop on at that time other than I always read and answer my emails on the desktop and keep them on there rather than use webmail.

forgotmyname

As well as your emails and web browsing. (pictures on facebook etc can eat into the allowance).

Obviously youtube video's.

But then you have windows updates, Antivirus and firewall updates, Other software updates.

If you have a phone that shares the connection that maybe updating also.

closed

BT? you'll probably be able to get unlimited broadband from another provider much cheaper and never have to worry again, or you could use it to haggle with yor existing provider if you are near the end of a contract.

https://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/broadband/simplybb

you could move your emails to laptop, which uses far less electricity than a desktop

macman

Everything constitutes usage-and that's what is measured. Not just downloading, but all data usage, up and down. But checking emails and surfing use relatively little data. Streaming and downloading video are the main culprits, as you've discovered.
Your desktop won't be using much data while idling.

TomsMom

closed wrote: »

BT? you'll probably be able to get unlimited broadband from another provider much cheaper and never have to worry again, or you could use it to haggle with yor existing provider if you are near the end of a contract.

https://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/broadband/simplybb

No I'm not with BT, that was just a link Ben gave me to read about usage.

TomsMom

macman wrote: »

Everything constitutes usage-upload and downoad But checking emails and surfing use relatively little data. Streaming and downloading video are the main culprits, as you've discovered.
Your desktop won't be using much data while idling.

Thank you Macman. Yes, it was my grandson watching those films that took me over the limit before so when he comes this weekend I'll have to ration him :rotfl: . I don't know what streaming is (I'm soooooooo technically challenged, took me ages to discover what an iPad was ).

benje302

TomsMom wrote: »

Thank you Macman. Yes, it was my grandson watching those films that took me over the limit before so when he comes this weekend I'll have to ration him :rotfl: . I don't know what streaming is (I'm soooooooo technically challenged, took me ages to discover what an iPad was ).

Streaming is when you watch or listing to something directly off the internet ie -

watching a youtube video
Listing to a radio station

its baciscally any video/song you watch/listen to that is not locally stored on your hard drive.

Even looking at online photos add the your bandwith usage - ie if you look at a flickr account.

Ben

Ben

TomsMom

benje302 wrote: »

Streaming is when you watch or listing to something directly off the internet ie -

watching a youtube video
Listing to a radio station

its baciscally any video/song you watch/listen to that is not locally stored on your hard drive.

Even looking at online photos add the your bandwith usage - ie if you look at a flickr account.

Ben

Ben

Thanks Ben. I'm learning a lot today . Would you like to come and live in my computer cupboard, I'd let you out for exercise and food etc., and you'd be on hand for all my questions :rotfl: .

J_B

TomsMom wrote: »

No I'm not with BT, that was just a link Ben gave me to read about usage.

I guess, like me, you are with plusnet coz the same thing happens here whenever the 'children' come back home.

I just shrug my shoulders as if I wanted to swap to unlimited, they would want £15 every month, whereas now they only want £15 every so often!!

Have you asked your ISP about the charges for higher usage?
I'm stuck with what I have as we are not LLU here.
My F-I-L swapped from 10GB (?) for a tenner to unlimited for around six quid :cool: