Latest news with #mobiledata
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Do you use mobile data while connected to Wi-Fi? It's complicated.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority When it comes to smartphones, the common sentiment is that your Wi-Fi network will always take precedence over your mobile connection. In other words, those with data caps generally don't have to worry about mobile data being consumed during lengthy Wi-Fi sessions. But is this always true? Generally, yes, but the situation is slightly more complicated than you might think. There are indeed a few reasons your phone could end up using mobile data even when connected to Wi-Fi. Were you aware your phone can switch to mobile data while on Wi-Fi? 0 votes Yes, but it's never caused me any issues. NaN % No, I had no idea. NaN % It's likely not a bug, but a feature Recently, I noticed my free Helium line was using data faster than expected, considering I rarely used it and consistently had my Wi-Fi turned on. Upon investigation, I realized my mistake was twofold. First, I'd accidentally set Helium as my primary mobile data line instead of my Verizon account. This explained part of the issue, but not the sudden spike in mobile data usage when connected to my home network. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a well-timed Reddit thread from user Unlucky_Ad_4873. The thread was unrelated to my exact issue, involving a Pixel 7 using excessive data despite a Wi-Fi connection. A Mint Mobile representative incorrectly claimed this happens unless mobile data is explicitly turned off. Interestingly, a US Mobile rep previously made a similar mistaken claim about an iPhone, suggesting this misconception is somewhat widespread. Features like 5G priority or Wi-Fi Assist may result in mobile data usage even if you are technically connected to Wi-Fi. From personal experience (and corroborated by numerous responses), your phone typically won't use mobile data simply because it's turned on. Usually, your device prioritizes Wi-Fi connections. However, exceptions exist — and they're usually intentional. The original thread I stumbled upon eventually revealed a helpful tip: check your Wi-Fi Assist settings. Many modern phones automatically switch to mobile data if they detect your Wi-Fi connection is slow or unstable. This feature has various names, such as Intelligent Wi-Fi on my Galaxy S24. When I checked this setting, it turned out to be precisely the cause of my data spike. Further digging revealed intermittent issues with my Spectrum Wi-Fi network at the same time as the increased data usage. Consequently, my Helium line rapidly consumed all its available data. My problem was fairly straightforward, but, in addition to a Wi-Fi Assist/Intelligent WiFi feature, the iPhone and select Android devices also have a few other data settings that could cause similar issues. For example, the iPhone lets you give preference to 5G data over other connections, including Wi-Fi. How to turn off Wi-Fi Assist, Intelligence, and other similar features Typically, these features are beneficial, especially since most US consumers have unlimited data plans. However, some plans have usage caps leading to reduced performance after reaching limits, and budget plans often have strict data limits. In these scenarios, disabling such features can be wise. Settings vary slightly depending on your device, but here are key adjustments you might want to consider: iPhone users will want to turn off Wi-Fi Assist and ensure 5G isn't prioritized Wi-Fi Assist is on by default, but to turn it off, simply: Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data Next, scroll until you find Wi-Fi Assist and tap the slider to disable it. To turn off the 5G prioritization feature on your iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular , then tap Cellular Data . , then tap . Next, go to Data Mode and then Allow More Data on 5G. Turn the slider off. Pixel users: Turn off automatic Wi-Fi switching The Pixel doesn't give an official name to this feature, but it will automatically switch to Wi-Fi, usually by default. To change this: Go to Wifi > WiFi Preferences > Advanced . . Next, scroll until you see Switch to Mobile data automatically and hit the slider. Galaxy users: Turn off Intelligent Wi-Fi and consider adjusting a few other settings For the Galaxy S25, you perform a fairly similar process: Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Next, go to the three-dot menu and select Intelligent Wi-Fi. Here, you'll want to turn off Switch to Mobile data. While in the Intelligent Wi-Fi menu, you'll also note a few other settings like Turn Wi-Fi on/off automatically than you might want to consider disabling as well.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Major network TRIPLES data on its SIM-only plans – get 300GB for just £20p/m
THOSE of you considering switching networks have a brilliant opportunity to upgrade your SIM plan. Voxi is currently offering an incredible deal, with its 100GB SIM-only plan tripling to 300GB for just £20 a month. 1 Voxi, 100GB 300GB data for £20/month (Unlimited social, music, and video use) BUY FROM VOXI I keep a close eye on SIM-only deals, and this one from Voxi is easily one of the best to land in a while. Instead of cutting prices, Voxi has taken a different approach, tripling the data on two of its most popular plans, without raising the monthly cost. Deals like this offer serious value, especially if you're after more data without spending more. For heavier users, the 300GB plan at £20 a month strikes a great balance between generous data and solid value. It's a smart pick if you burn through gigabytes streaming, scrolling, or gaming, but don't quite need to pay the premium for unlimited. If you're after something lighter, the 25GB plan has also been bumped up to 75GB for just £12 per month, a great option for more moderate users. One of the deal clinchers is that many of Voxi's plans come with data-free use of social media, music, or video apps. This means you can spend hours scrolling through TikTok, streaming Spotify, or bingeing on Netflix without worrying about eating into your data. If you're not a heavy user but want plenty of data to play with, Voxi is a network worth considering. And since Voxi runs on Vodafone's network, you can expect reliable coverage wherever you are. Like many smaller SIM providers, Voxi piggybacks on the Vodafone network, which recently joined forces with Three, making the network stronger than ever. It's always worth checking your area with Voxi's coverage map, so you can be confident of a strong connection before signing up. Best Voxi SIM-only deals Voxi have a selection of SIM-only plans for every kind of data user, many of which either come with free social, music, or video use. Voxi's SIM-only plans run on rolling 1-month contracts, so there's no long-term commitment. You can switch or cancel at any time, which is ideal if you like to keep your options open. These boosted deals are currently set to end on July 17th, so there's only a limited window to lock in the savings. It's shaping up to be a strong month for savvy SIM shoppers, too. I've spotted a similar Smarty double data SIM-only deal, offering 200GB for just £12 per month, and shares the same network coverage. If you're eyeing a new handset instead, there are some tempting Android offers floating around. One major provider is throwing in a free tech bundle worth £410 when you grab the latest Honor phone, with plans starting from £20 a month. I've pulled together a full roundup of the best SIM-only deals across all the major networks, so you can find the right plan for your budget.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Even UN backs mobile phone data project, says MCMC
MCMC's Zurkarnain Yasin said unfounded claims about the mobile phone data initiative risks confusing the public and undermining trust in national data systems. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has clarified that the mobile phone data initiative is not intended to track or monitor individuals, as alleged by some quarters. Its deputy managing director, Zurkarnain Yasin, said the data is fully anonymised and only used in aggregate to help provide macro-level insights for national development planning. He said the project, still in its early stages, has received formal recognition from the United Nations as a key big data source to improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of official statistics. 'This global initiative reflects the urgent need to go beyond traditional statistical methods and adopt innovative data solutions to better understand and address societal challenges,' he said in a statement to FMT. The UN has also set up a special task force involving over 50 countries and organisations, including Malaysia, to explore the use of mobile data for development. Other members include Japan, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Zurkarnain said the statistics department, which leads the project, will hold briefings with stakeholders soon. His comments came in response to concerns raised by MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who questioned whether the government's directive for telecommunication companies to share user data could violate privacy and lead to potential abuse. Some parties have gone further, accusing the government of engaging in large-scale 'spying' on citizens through the mobile phone data project. Zurkarnain dismissed these claims as baseless, saying such narratives could mislead the public and undermine efforts to develop more reliable sources of national data. 'More precise official data allows for stronger public policy planning and better service delivery,' he said. He also clarified that the data collected does not include any personal or identifiable information, with no mechanism for opting in or out, as the data is drawn from standard mobile network operations. At the technical level, Zurkarnain said the data is automatically generated when a mobile device interacts with transmission towers. He said this data is then processed and anonymised at the telco level before being submitted to the statistics department and MCMC. 'There is no transfer of raw data or user information outside the premises of mobile network operators,' he added.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
No need for travel e-SIM or roaming: S'pore telcos offer generous cross-border data bundles
SINGAPORE – More local telcos are offering 'borderless' mobile plans at record low prices to woo an increasing number of globetrotting consumers. Such plans allow consumers to use a generous bundle of mobile data across borders without paying more, or activating a travel e-SIM or roaming feature. The latest to jump on this trend is M1, whose Maxx plan offers 290GB of data for use in Singapore and Malaysia for a record low of $7.90 a month. The plan also includes 10GB of mobile data for use in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan. This follows the January launch of Simba Telecom's $10 monthly SuperRoam 10 plan that provides 300GB of 5G data that can be used in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. A separate 12GB of roaming mobile data for seven other Asian destinations is included in the same plan. Singapore's virtual telco started the borderless trend here in September 2023, when it let customers use 100GB across eight Asian destinations (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh). The monthly plan costs $30 for the first three months, and $37 after that. Mr Fabian Sossa, vice-president of corporate and global marketing at said: 'The plan is designed for mobile professionals, digital nomads, students, tourists and families with cross-border ties... essentially anyone who needs connectivity across multiple countries without friction.' Since then, other telcos have followed suit. While most of these plans today cover connectivity in Malaysia, others also include popular Asian destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong. A rise in cross-border travel after the Covid-19 pandemic provided the initial impetus. For instance, the number of daily travellers at the Woodlands Checkpoint stood at 327,000 on average in 2024. This is up 22 per cent from the 269,000 in 2023, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Likewise, in 2024, Indonesia received 1.4 million visitors from Singapore, while Singapore received 2.49 million visitors from Indonesia. Singapore is one of the top five source countries for visitors to Indonesia, while Indonesia is the second-largest source country for visitors to Singapore. Experts said the setting up of special trade zones in the region and the upcoming launch of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will further boost demand for such mobile data plans. These special economic zones, which include the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, are meant to boost the flow of goods, services and people across borders, and reduce barriers to trade and investment. The RTS Link will connect Malaysia's second-largest city, Johor Bahru, and Woodlands in Singapore over the Strait of Johor. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Mr Peter Liu, an analyst at Gartner specialising in telecoms, said the upcoming special economic zones will significantly increase business travel and create a new category of 'super commuters' comprising skilled professionals working across borders daily or weekly. 'The seamless border, competitive tax incentives and infrastructure investments will normalise cross-border work arrangements, making borderless connectivity services essential rather than optional for this emerging professional class,' he said. Even prior to the setting up of the economic zones, the number of Malaysians and Singaporeans crossing each other's borders already provides a captive market for telcos, said Simba Telecom chief technology officer Benjamin Tan. 'The days of rationing roaming data are behind us. Consumers today want to use their mobile devices as freely outside as they do at home,' he said. Ms Shilpa Aggarwal, vice-president of mobile customer solutions at Singtel, also cited the large number of mobile workers between Singapore and Malaysia as a reason for the telco's generous Malaysia roaming data allowance. Gomo, a sub-brand of Singtel, offers a basic 300GB of local data as well as 6GB of roaming data for use in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and Australia for $15 a month. Mr Soh Wei Sheng, 30, who recently completed his master's degree, subscribes to Simba's 300GB plan as he frequently travels to Malaysia and Indonesia for leisure with his family. 'It is affordable and hassle-free when I travel,' he said. Ms Cinthia Poh, a 41-year-old civil servant, uses Singtel Gomo so she does not have to purchase travel SIM cards any more when she travels to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. She usually buys add-ons when the overseas roaming data is insufficient. Analysts said it is unlikely that the regions covered by these borderless mobile plans will expand, as telcos still need to make money, particularly from roaming fees. Ms Kiranjeet Kaur, associate research director at IDC, said: 'Roaming still forms a significant part of a telco's revenue. Incumbent telcos will still try to retain their consumer base with premium offerings rather than joining the race to the bottom in prices.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Mobile network offering DOUBLE data SIM-only deal – get 200GB for £12p/m
For anyone looking to switch networks, it's a great time to upgrade. Smarty has some seriously good data boosting SIM-only plans right now, with up to 200GB of data for just £12. 1 Smarty SIM-only deal, 100GB 200GB data for £12/month BUY FROM SMARTY I've covered SIM-only deals for a while now, and over time, you learn to spot the real gems from the overhyped fluff. This latest offer from Smarty is easily one of the better ones to pop up in recent months. Right now, Smarty is running two impressive promotions that boost data without hiking up the price. If you're someone who chews through mobile data, these are well worth a look. The first is its 16GB plan, which has just been bumped up to 50GB per month, all while staying at just £8. The real eye-catcher, though, is Smarty's 100GB plan, which has now been doubled to 200GB for just £12 a month. That's a huge amount of data for a great price, especially since there's usually a big leap between low GB plans and Unlimited. Deals like this make Unlimited plans feel less necessary, and are ideal if you're not a heavy user but still want peace of mind. It's also a great time to join Smarty, as the provider runs on Three's network, which is in line for some major improvements following Three's merger with Vodafone. That means better coverage and faster speeds are likely on the horizon as the networks start sharing infrastructure. Best SIM-only deals from Smarty If you want to spend less and use less data, or if Unlimited is what you need, Smarty has plenty of other budget-friendly deals going right now. Smarty plans are all rolling 1-month contracts, meaning you're never locked in and can switch or cancel easily. It's another reason the network is a favourite for budget-savvy shoppers. And if you're in the market for a new handset too, this week has delivered some tempting extras in the Android world. One major provider is offering a free tech bundle worth £410 when you pick up the latest Honor phone, with plans starting from just £20 per month. If these deals aren't quite the right fit, check out our roundup of the best SIM-only deals across the big networks.
