Re: Cheating data

ErinKella · ‎09-27-2011

This has just recently affected me, and I've talked to AT&T support both on the phone and through chat to no avail...They continue to trot out the same excuses for why this is happening, but they're all easily refuted:

1. You have apps running in the background. Your phone is updating itself. I have the iPhone 3G. It is not capable of multitasking or having apps run in the background. Apps can only be updated when I manually go to the iTunes store app and update them myself. The phone only updates itself when it's physically connected to a computer and iTunes.

2. You're not connected to WiFi and/or your phone automatically goes to 3G when asleep. My phone is constantly connected to Wifi at home. At work, I do occasionally use the phone and the 3G, but certainly not enough to go over my data plan.

3. You have push notifications for your apps and email set to push. I initially thought this was part of the problem, except I've turned off literally ALL notifications and pushing and the problem has remained.

4. This is just AT&T's billing process...they aggregate the prior day's usage in a large transfer early in the morning. That would make sense if I didn't ALSO have multiple data transfers throughout the day, that match up with when I was actually using the phone.

The fact of the matter is this--I have the 2 GB plan, not even the 200 MB plan. In the entire time I've had the phone, I have NEVER come close to going over the alotted data in a whole MONTH. This billing cycle, I exceeded the alotted data in a WEEK. In fact, I went from 65% of data to 90% to 100% in a 24 hour period, having barely used the phone.

The first rep I spoke with did credit the overage charge for the extra 1 GB...and honestly, I think it is because she looked back at the usage over the last six months and saw no history of overages. The most data ever used in a month was 1.4 GB and that was during a month where I did not have WiFi access for half of the month (just moved). The second rep I spoke with said "I do not necessarily think past usage can predict future usage." Um, yes it can if you are not using the phone any differently.

I recently installed an app on my phone that tracks data in real-time, by the minute. I compared it against the data transfers in "recent usage" on AT&T online and they do not add up. Once again, there were two data transfers early this morning in ADDITION to several throughout the day yesterday.

I'm not trying to get something for nothing, I have no problem paying if I've gone over my alotted amount. But the fact is, I haven't and can prove it....

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

Ive heard the iphone does some sort of nightly batch process around 3am (for example) but I wouldnt think whatever this dsta movement procedure is would push you over the limit. The other items seems to look like they were giving you other areas that could have caused some data usage.

As far as the bill and usage that prompted your current post, were you able to itemize your usage over the phone with csr and found anything unaccountable?

I agree, wifi should have curbed atts actual usage.

Will be interesting later to see just how this holds true as others begin posting after this staunch, old fogie throttle chokehold goes into effect.

ErinKella · ‎09-27-2011

I think the nightly batch process is something they're just saying to explain the early-morning data transfers. I would be inclined to agree, if they're weren't also data transfers being timestamped throughout the day prior.

The early morning transfers have ranged from relatively insignificant to HUGE. Like 400,000KB.

Basically all of the early morning transfers were unaccountable to me, but she gave me the explanations I listed in my first post. Even if it were push notifications or pushed email or apps running in the background (none of which are true), it still doesn't explain why all of the sudden there are overages if I'm not using the phone any differently than I had been?

And after downloading the data tracking app, I can definitely itemize data that was recorded by AT&T that was not by the data tracking app.

I'm not sure what to do at this point, because I just get the canned excuses, even though they've been proven wrong. And in every forum I've found on this subject, each person has posted the exact same canned responses that they received. [Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

Yep, might not get much resolution otherwise. On the other forums, have there been even just one post of a resolution by a customer?

{Content removed - please keep it relevant and appropriate}

ErinKella · ‎09-27-2011

No--not one resolution that I've seen.

I've combed through forums on this site (there are few referencing mystery data usage), forums on Apple's site, comments on a lot of the "techie" websites....every person gets the same thing, the explanations in my first post.

The early morning transfers haven't stopped, but they have gotten smaller since I've filed two official complaints...a little odd?

My only course of action, I suppose, is just to continually monitor the data and complain if they charge for overages again.....until the new iPhone comes out and I can switch carriers?

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

Definitely sounds like a best bet to me. Dont stop monitoring and calling in discrepancies. You also have plenty of time if you start now , logging onto the "other carrier" be it BIG YELLOW or BIG REX which ever is your preference

and get a feel for what their satisfaction level is as well as what trending issues they may have.

You already knkw each carrier has its own bucket of "nuts" and "bolts" to deal with. Just have to dtermine whose bucket list you wanna be on ;D

JFizDaWiz · ‎10-27-2010

i'm pretty sure i said it in this thread but i do think it needs to be re-posted
simply turn data off when you're not using it. there is no need for a 24x7 internet connection. sms/calls will still come in no problem.

“I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.”

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
Take note all ye who complained about high data use!

....or yeeee shall be smite! With a data hold , so strong...
..So LET IT BE WRITTEN.....
.

THAT WHOSOEVER FAILETH TO ......

SUBMIT TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF THE THROTTLING LAW.....

ilikewireless · ‎07-10-2011

RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
Take note all ye who complained about high data use!

....or yeeee shall be smite! With a data hold , so strong...
..So LET IT BE WRITTEN.....
.

THAT WHOSOEVER FAILETH TO ......

SUBMIT TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF THE THROTTLING LAW.....

SHALL DROP THEIR JAW IN AWE.....

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
Take note all ye who complained about high data use!

....or yeeee shall be smite! With a data hold , so strong...
..So LET IT BE WRITTEN.....
.

THAT WHOSOEVER FAILETH TO ......

SUBMIT TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF THE THROTTLING LAW.....
SHALL DROP THEIR JAW IN AWE.....

AND SELL THEIR FIRSTBORN TO PAY THE OVERAGE! ELSE....

ilikewireless · ‎07-10-2011

RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
Take note all ye who complained about high data use!

....or yeeee shall be smite! With a data hold , so strong...
..So LET IT BE WRITTEN.....
.

THAT WHOSOEVER FAILETH TO ......

SUBMIT TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF THE THROTTLING LAW.....
SHALL DROP THEIR JAW IN AWE.....

AND SELL THEIR FIRSTBORN TO PAY THE OVERAGE! ELSE....

THOU SHALT LIMIT THY USAGE SO THAT ALL MAY SHARE GREAT 3G SPEED ....

RicoLX · ‎05-29-2008

ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
RicoLX wrote:
ilikewireless wrote:
Take note all ye who complained about high data use!

....or yeeee shall be smite! With a data hold , so strong...
..So LET IT BE WRITTEN.....
.

THAT WHOSOEVER FAILETH TO ......

SUBMIT TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF THE THROTTLING LAW.....
SHALL DROP THEIR JAW IN AWE.....

AND SELL THEIR FIRSTBORN TO PAY THE OVERAGE! ELSE....
THOU SHALT LIMIT THY USAGE SO THAT ALL MAY SHARE GREAT 3G SPEED ....

IF THEE SHALL CONTINUETH TO REBUKE THY DIVINE DECREE.....

ShaunMN · ‎03-03-2011

Hey folks, please remember to stay on-topic. Thank you

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