A few weeks ago, we asked users about how they used mobile broadband to access the Internet, with some interesting results.
Out of over 1,000 responses, quite unsurprisingly when most users were accessing the Internet away from a fixed broadband connection, they were doing so on their mobile phone. However, 34% of users were still using a laptop/computer whilst on the move with only 4% using a tablet. Despite several stories of unexpected mobile bills due to data usage, over 4 in 10 people still don’t check their mobile phone bill at the end of each month. We very much welcome the fact 8 in 10 seem to know what your download usage allowance is, although we do wonder how much of that is about the type of user visiting our site ;)
What is the most common way you access the Internet when away from a fixed broadband connection?
| Answer | Responses | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| on a mobile phone | 597 | 59% |
| on a computer / laptop | 348 | 34% |
| on a tablet | 43 | 4% |
| other | 31 | 3% |
Do you always check your mobile phone bill at the end of the month?
| Answer | Responses | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 579 | 57% |
| No | 440 | 43% |
Do you know what your mobile phone download usage allowance / fair usage policy is?
| Answer | Responses | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 813 | 80% |
| No | 206 | 20% |
How would I have answered the survey if I use my laptop to access the Internet via my mobile phone? Fortunately my T-Mobile tariff permits this.
Both Vodafone and O2 have iPhone apps that help users keep track of their phone bills by giving details of how many minutes, texts, and megabytes they’ve used. This seems like a step in the right direction. (Other networks may offer the same – I wouldn’t know.)
The iPhone app Vodafone offers doesn’t work for business/corporate customers. Why can’t they allow more alerts etc?
On Three, you have to visit “My Account” to see the summary of what’s left.
I bought a cheap phone (50 quid) and have a 12 month contract at 15 quid/month, giving me 600 minutes, 3000 texts, and “unlimited” internet. (3 quid is for the ‘unlimited internet’ Add-on).
I can use tethering on this phone though the contract doesn’t include it, and it doesn’t get noticed (otherwise I’d see a charge clocking up, or the basic 1024 MB going down). I know it is “noticed” if I use some types of phone.