SMARTPHONE ADDICTS FACE HUGE FINANCIAL PENALTIES FROM DATA LIMITS

HOLIDAY SMARTPHONE ADDICTS BILL PAYERS FACE HUGE FINANCIAL PENALTIES FROM DATA LIMITS

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom has just published the Communications Market Report for 2011, suggesting that smartphone fever is sweeping the UK, with over 27 percent of adults and  47 percent of all teenagers now owning one. But there are some nasty shockss in store for whoever pays the bill (or bills).

Smartphones are far more interactive than normal mobiles, with users accessing specialist applications (apps), social networks, email and download music,video and TV content direct to their mobile. As a result data volumes transferred over the UK's mobile networks increased by 67 per cent during 2010 – a massive jump in just 12 months.

An industry consultant suggests that to avoid a nasty financial shock on your return from holiday, you take a few simple telecom precautions:-

"Smartphone users may get a richer experience from their phone compared to regular mobile users, but it is important to keep on top of mobile phone data usage limits, as this is where many people come unstuck and incur excess data penalties which can greatly increase their monthly bill. Smartphone download limits, with the exception of the iPhone, can be rather stingy and the penalties can be over 10p per MB of content download over and above your usage limit. These stealth costs mount up very quickly so anyone who is unsure of how much data they are using should follow a few simple rules to avoid being very out of pocket."

1. Check the small print: Customers who don't know their limit can incur substantial penalties unknowingly, so always ask your provider for detailed easy to understand non-technical information and find out about early warning systems that they may have in place to inform you if you are reaching your limit. Data usage limits on smartphones can cost upwards of 10p per MB (This is a staggering £100 per GB).

2. Set up your own warning system: Use your phone to monitor your usage, reset your phone's usage counter on your monthly billing date and use this to keep track of your usage.

3. Use Wi-Fi when you can: Making use of a Wi-Fi connection in a hotel, coffee shop or even your local McDonalds allows you to surf for free on, what is usually, a faster, more reliable signal.
4. Turn off Apps: Some apps use the internet to update your information automatically – for example, tools that keep track of your location and post it to Facebook. Allowing these to continue running throughout the day will substantially eat into your data allowance, so turn them off if they are not in use.

5. Shop around: If you still find you are frequently reaching your data limit before the end of the month, consider other options available to you. Compare different providers, for example, The Three Network offers unlimited data where as O2 offers additional mobile 'data bolt-ons' - both are ideally suited to customer who do a lot of downloading on the move. You don't need to change your phone, possibly pay for an unlocking, and load a new SIM, to take advantage of other deals.

Or better still to really enjoy your holiday, by all means take your smartphone with you but leave it turned off and locked in your suitcase. As you travel from country to country, if it is turned on, each new telephone provider will send you a welcome text message and also make an access charge on your account back in the UK even if you don't use it. Incoming calls and texts are also charged! Happy Holidays!


#####






.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 (C)Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch 2011, Peterborough,UK E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS on FREEPHONE 0800 555 111 **** Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, an independent of police charity, will anonymously take and pass on confidential information on crime, knife crime and domestic violence. **** >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722&ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW