Excess data usage with Mi-Fi

[cbj2248]

I just began using the Mi-Fi unit two weeks ago but am told that we have already used 75 percent of our data allotment. How do we reduce our data usage. We have been keeping two laptops connected all of the time.

[jupiter837 · Accepted solution]

Hi, it's hard to answer your question the way you asked it. But I'm going to guess your new to mobile broadband and caps.

 What Plan are you on? You may have to go up to a larger cap with two laptops running all the time. May just be no way around it.

 But turn all the automatic updates off, windows, any other software or hardware updates. Except maybe for your virus scanning software. But as far as everything else, I have mine where it will ask me before downloading any updates.

 Firefox and other browsers have add ons that can block flash from automatically loading. Flashblock is what I use in Firefox. It blocks all those annoying flash ads that pop up on web pages, and want load a video until I click on it. There are other programs that block other ads from loading. Just look for them in add ons for Firefox.

 Keep your virus scanning software up to date.  Always make sure you don't have a virus, malware, or adware sucking up your data on all your laptops.  There are few good programs out there for scanning for melware and adware. Google ad ware removal and you'll get a list of useful programs. There is also the adblock add on program for firefox. But I have never used it.

  These suggestions should help a lot.

 when I had dial up I used Netzero "3g" which really wasn't 3g at all but just a optimized browser that would download images and some video at a lower resolution, sometimes real low. But I could click on a image or what video and watch it in higher quality if I wanted to. I wish Verizon would offer a program like that.

[Jax_Omen]

DON'T just google "ad ware removal", lots of malware google bombs it's way high onto the results for that specifically to target people who don't know better.

Instead, google "Spybot Search and Destroy", "Lavasoft Ad-Aware", and "Malwarebytes", the VERY FIRST result of each of those searches is the correct web page for some very good anti-malware software. Also, get a good antivirus (NOT NORTON/MCAFEE). Microsoft Security Essentials is free for anyone with a legit copy of windows and it's VERY good, other good ones are Avast! or Kaspersky.

There's two main causes for mobile broadband overage. The first is malware, most of it uses TONS of data to do the malicious stuff it does. The second is education: your MBB allowance has a fairly small limit, as internet connections go, and things such as software updates, software downloads, online videos, song downloads, online games, etc, all use a VERY large amount of data. Two computers doing those things use TONS.

[BEYONDFRUS]

 Just Adding the Fact that most of us out there with Families NEED LARGER DATA PLANS FOR INTERNET!!! 30 and 40 GB AT LEAST!!!!!!!! NOT 5 and 10 GB. We want to download, update, watch videos, upload pictures, skype and my 2 teen boys would like to play on their X BOX Again.... which they have not since the new data plans!!!!! PLEASE LARGER PLANS PLEASE!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!! Why should we NOT be able to use the internet to the fullest????????????? BeyondFrus

[#5]

I don't think Verizon mobile broadband was ever intended to serve as your primary "at home" internet provider. You really need DSL, cable, or U-Verse at home and mobile internet for "away from home."

[John_Getzke]

Agreed.  MiFi devices are not intended to replace your home internet.

[dysfunkshun]

Yes, I have learned the hard way that mifi is not to replace home internet, despite what the customer service rep I spoke to confirmed multiple times.  I used the data calculator on their website to view 200 websites a day and 4 hours of video gaming, which put me under the 5gb cap, as confirmed by the rep I spoke to.  When in reality, I only view 10-20 websites a day and play video games closer to 4 hours a month, I was supposedly over 5gb in 4 days, according to the email they never sent to warn me.  I spoke to customer service today, and her data calculator said 250 websites a month is 11gb!  Long story short, I'm out $100 for this modem and $175 to cancel, plus the $300 for overages in 18 days.  HORRIBLE customer service, waited until after the 14 days to let me know how far over I was.  Thank you for looking out for your customers (money) so well Verizon!

[John_Getzke]

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dysfunkshun wrote:

Yes, I have learned the hard way that mifi is not to replace home internet, despite what the customer service rep I spoke to confirmed multiple times.  I used the data calculator on their website to view 200 websites a day and 4 hours of video gaming, which put me under the 5gb cap, as confirmed by the rep I spoke to.  When in reality, I only view 10-20 websites a day and play video games closer to 4 hours a month, I was supposedly over 5gb in 4 days, according to the email they never sent to warn me.  I spoke to customer service today, and her data calculator said 250 websites a month is 11gb!  Long story short, I'm out $100 for this modem and $175 to cancel, plus the $300 for overages in 18 days.  HORRIBLE customer service, waited until after the 14 days to let me know how far over I was.  Thank you for looking out for your customers (money) so well Verizon!

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It doesnt matter how many websites you visit per day/month/year or how many hours of video games you play.  All that matters is the actual data that is being consumed/transferred on your MiFi.  For example, you could theoretically rack up your entire 5GB limit from one website if that website was left on 24/7 and was streaming High Def video.  

The data calculator (linked below) is based on averages for all of the typical things people like to do on the internet.  These averages are clearly labled on the site:

Email (text only) = 10 KB
Typical Web Page Lookup* = 1.5 MB
Audio Streaming = 60 MB/hr
Video Streaming (Standard def)= 260 MB/hr
Digital Photo download/upload (Hi-Res) = 5 MB
3G VoIP = 20 MB/hr
3G VoIP with Video = 75 MB/hr
Online gaming = 5 MB/hr

1 MB = 1,024 KB
1 GB = 1,024 MB"

http://www.verizonwireless.com/splash_includes/datacalculator.html

At the bottom of the page in fine print you will find this quote:

"These are just estimates, and data transfer amounts will vary based on application. Downloads that buffer, such as streaming music and video, will bill for all of the data that has been downloaded, even though you may not have listened to or watched the entire download. Please regularly check and manage your usage."

The email service that Verizon provides is not activated for your first billing period.  I called Verizon support about this in the past and was told that it has something to do with their billing system.  They cannot add you into the email alert system until the next month when an entire billing cycle can be taken into consideration.

Dont get me wrong, I feel for you and your experience with the MiFi.  This is why I instruct all of my users to reference the 1(800) number and check in on thier data consumption habits regularly for the first month.  So far that has helped them visualize exactly how much data they are consuming and what they can/cannot get away with.

[dysfunkshun]

I know those are just estimates, but how does looking up 250 websites a day on average work out to be 11gb as was described to me today?  Based on the average they are using, it would only be 325MB.  Even the websites I do view are nothing as massive to be that big.  Email, local news paper, and my local Union hall's site, with occasional views on craigslist.  I do not stream movies or music, I use my cell phone for youtube stuff since its "unlimited."  Even the email is mainly just hotmail junk that I don't read, just delete.  The fact is, I overestimated my actual usage at its heaviest load, with 200 websites on 2 laptops, my PS3 running 4 hours a day, plus 2 HD DVRs and I was still assured by verizon I would be under 5gb a month, though they know they cant truthfully justify that.  I ended up using about 4-5 hours on my PS3 with Call of Duty, and only using my laptop for 10-20 websites a day, and my roommate using her laptop for about 10 websites in 18 days, an incredible amount below my estimation and still going over 30gb.  I was never able to get either of the HD DVRs to work with mifi, and even if I could have, do not use any of the internet features.

Verizon knows they cannot accurately predict how a person uses the web and should not be allowed to "guesstimate" based off absolute minimums.  I thought I was being safe by overestimating and was assured by Verizons customer service rep I was doing so, or I would never have even thought twice about it.  Hook a customer based on false pretenses, wait til the return period is over, and throw the kitchen sink at em!  And if their email service doesnt start until after the first bill, how am I supposed to know I'm going over?  Waste more on their website to constantly patrol my data usage?  Then I would only be able to view one other website per day?  I'm very disappointed Verizon thinks they can treat customers like dollar signs and get away with it.  $575 for 18 days of internet service....awesome.

[canpoling]

I agree wholeheartedly!!!  At least they will let you buy extra now whereas they wouldn't before but those of us who live where we cannot get broadband are penalized from downloading movies and such.  Ridiculous!