13/08/2015
3G Internet Usage Tutorial
Manage your 3G/4G mobile internet data usage with these helpful hints.
Data usage limit
Different apps and types of usage have different data needs. Apps that stream or download video (like YouTube and Face book) will use more data than apps that don't.
To set your data usage limit use the below steps.
Data usage > mobile data > data usage cycle > limit the data as you want by dragging the pattern sign
2. Turn off automatic Updater
Do not turn on automatic updater unless you want to update software/programs
3. Turn off mobile data when using Wi-Fi
Turn off your mobile data when using free Wi-Fi spots
4. Turn off data roaming when overseas
If international roaming is switched on, your data services will continue to work while you’re overseas. If you don’t want to use data roaming while you’re overseas, use the following steps.
Android: Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Press Data roaming to turn the function on or off.
IPhones: Settings > General > Network > Turn the Indicator next to Data Roaming on or off.
5. Remove unused apps from your phone
Some of your unused apps may be sending and receiving data so that delete or uninstall the application.
6. Turn off push notifications & background data for apps
You may not realize, but many apps use data even when you're not actively 'using' them. After you download an app, say no to push notifications or use of location data and you'll be keeping their background data usage to a minimum. Then you can manually switch them on when using the app.
7. Delete unsent emails; they can be a data drain
If there are unsent emails in your email outbox, they may be trying to resend themselves over and over, which can use a lot of data (especially if they have large attachments).
8. Video, music or game streaming can use data fast
When streaming or downloading video or music, choosing higher quality content means you’ll use more data. In some cases, choosing the highest quality content can use two or more times the amount of data than the lower quality options.
Making sure that the YouTube videos that you play on your mobile aren't set up to play at higher quality is also a good move to cut down the amount of mobile data that you use. To switch this feature off:
1. Open the YouTube App
2. Go to the Menu and select General
3. Un-tick High Quality on Mobile
Just be aware that high quality music streaming (256kbps) can use over 100MB per hour, and HD video can use up to 1GB in an hour!
Interactive online games can also reach to download limits when using anywhere between 10MB and 80MB an hour.
9. Background data usage
Even when you’re not doing stuff like browsing the web, sending emails or streaming videos, your phone can still be using data in the background. A few things to keep managed for include:
Auto uploads of content to Drop box, Flicker, Google Drive, etc.
Software updates
App updates
To save data, it’s good idea to turn these things off or make sure they’re set to Wi-Fi only.
10. Turn off location services
Location services allow your phone to collect info on your geographical location so that apps and other features can use that data to provide you with stuff that’s relevant e.g. the weather where you are.
As they often run in the background and keep using data, you might want to switch them off to keep your usage down.
11. Email settings
Your email app has the ability to check for new emails at different intervals. You can define how often this is (e.g. every 10 minutes or automatically as they arrive) or you can set it so you have to manually check.
To change the frequency your phone checks for emails:
Choose the type of email you use (i.e. POP3, IMAP, Exchange)
Follow the step that’s about data retrieval frequency and change the setting in your email app to the one you want. 'Manual' is the best for conserving data.
12. Hotspots and tethering
Hotspots and tethering let other devices use your phone’s mobile data connection either through Wi-Fi or a USB cable. Some connected devices such as laptops can use data highly, so make sure you’re keeping track of how much data they’re using.
14. Switch mobile data off
You’ve also got the ability to switch off mobile data anytime when you don’t want to use it. You’ll still be able to call and text using ethio SIM.
