Class Telecommunications

17 May 2011

Things you need to know about mobile data and roaming.

 
Mobile Broadband Users

When connecting to Mobile Broadband via a data card, USB Stick Modem or Netbook, we recommend you set Windows® and other programs to notify you of software updates instead of downloading them automatically.

If updates are downloaded automatically, they may slow down your connection or exceed your data usage limit without you being aware, resulting in additional data charges which you will be responsible for.

To avoid any automatic download charges, turn off Windows updates by following these instructions:

· Go to My Computer from your desktop

· View System Info

· Select Properties

· Click on Window Updates

· Click on Stop Automatic Updates

To turn off other program software updates please refer to the relevant Manufacturer’s manual.

Data Usage Charges:

Instead of being charged per minute for your connection to the internet, you are charged per byte of data transferred. Costs will be rounded up to the nearest penny.

Data Usage Abroad for BlackBerry or Mobile Broadband

Using your Mobile Broadband connection or BlackBerry device abroad is just like using your mobile phone abroad – it’s more expensive than using it in the UK. You will incur roaming charges for using another network, giving a higher cost per MB than in the UK. Your inclusive data allowance is not for use abroad, unless you are connected to a tariff that includes a roaming bundle. If you are unsure please contact Customer Operations on 0845 652 6318 as you will be responsible for any additional charges incurred whilst roaming. Please be aware that charges will vary dependent on the area you are in and the network you are connected to.

To avoid your Blackberry handset using data whilst abroad, turn off Data connections by following these instructions:

· From the main menu, select Manage Connections icon

· Select Mobile Network Options

· On Data Services switch it to OFF

· Depending on the Blackberry model, it may also say While Roaming this option needs to be switched to OFF

 

Smartphones – Roaming

Many Smartphones have applications (Apps) that automatically update and download data every 15 mins. Applications like Weather, Stocks and Facebook are some of the Apps that come pre installed on the device. i-Phones, HTCs and Blackberrys have the Auto-Update option as a standard function. If this is not switched off before going abroad, you may incur roaming charges unless you have a Roaming Bundle. If you are unsure please consult your Account Executive as you will be responsible for any additional charges incurred whilst roaming. Please be aware that charges will vary dependent on the area you are in and the network you are connected to.

i-Phone Device

To avoid your i-Phone using data whilst abroad, turn off Data connection by following these instructions:

· From the main menu, select the Settings icon

· Select General

· Select Network

· Select Data Roaming and slide it to OFF

HTC Devices

To avoid your HTC handset using data whilst abroad, turn off Data connection by following these instructions:

· From the home screen, select the Menu button

· Select Settings

· Select Wireless & Networks

· Select Mobile Networks

· Untick Data Roaming

Blackberry Devices

To avoid your Blackberry handset using data whilst abroad, turn off Data connections by following these instructions:

· From the main menu, select Manage Connections icon

· Select Mobile Network Options

· On Data Services switch it to OFF

· Depending on the Blackberry model, it may also say While Roaming this option needs to be switched to OFF

 

Smartphones – General Information

As explained previously Smartphones have applications (Apps) that automatically update and download data every 15 mins. To avoid exceeding your data allowance whilst in the UK, we recommend you switch off the Auto-Update Function on your device

To switch off the auto-update on the iphone device –

· From the main menu, select the Settings icon

· Select Notifications

· A list of all the Apps will appear and above it will say Notifications this will need to be left ON

· You will need to click into each App in the list and switch off all 3 notifications – Sounds - Alerts - Badges

To switch off the auto-update on HTC devices

· From the home screen, click the Menu button

· Select Settings

· Select Accounts and Sync

· Untick Background Data

If you have any other Smartphone please consult your user manual for instructions to follow the above advice.

For more help and advice about using your data device abroad, please click here to submit your enquiry.