Solved: Data

Anonymous · ‎27-01-2013

I just can not understand how I am using data. I use Whatsap with my daughter in Canada and ONLY when Wi-fi is tuned in. I have asked the o2 operator and she did not know either because she is not allowed to know what my usage.

Can anyone help me?

Anonymous · ‎28-01-2013

@MI5 wrote:
How do (weather) apps detect location if they don't ping a cell tower?.... When I look at my broadband server it can be anywhere from Sheffield to Berkshire !

It's not the weather app that's locating you - it gets that from the phone itself.

Geolocation data can come from three main sources. There's GPS using satellites, triangulation using masts and more recently, triangulation using mapped wireless signals. Mapping wifi is what Google's Streetview cars were supposed to be doing when they "accidentally" nabbed a load of data from open routers a couple of years ago - and got into rather a lot of trouble.

I don't know which O2 are currently using - certainly the masts but no idea on the other two.

The fact that your phone is constantly locating you - in some case, even when switched off - has been criticised as a threat to privacy - but it's also been hailed as benefit cos it can help find missing phones and even missing people.

jonsie · ‎27-01-2013

Switch off mobile data in network settings which will stop any data usage. Wifi will still work ok.

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Anonymous · ‎27-01-2013

Jonie's spot-on - as always

Just to clarify, "data" is not just the stuff you knowing use such as emails and browsing - your apps are regularly checking for updates - as is the operating system - and many "free" apps download a lot of data when run in order to display adverts (which are often quite heavy data-users as they use a lot of graphical images). Any location based apps will pull a lot of data - especially maps which can run-up vast amounts of data usage very quickly.

Basically, smart-phones are pretty much designed to work in an "always connected" environment - more like a home pc than a phone - and like a pc, they are constantly trying to connect and up/download data in the background.

Anonymous · ‎27-01-2013

In the mobile networks I have the choice to turn on and off ''use packet data'' which is on and ''Data roaming'' which is off. Do I turn them both off? The only other app I've got is a weather one. Is that the one working in the background?

perksie · ‎27-01-2013

Both off if you just want to use wi-fi, that will stop any data charges.

Roaming is for using other networks when abroad.

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Anonymous · ‎28-01-2013

If you're using wifi, you can still get weather info and any other "real-time" feeds (as long as the app you're using is properly written). The data for the weather report itself will come over wifi and there's no data charge involved in them being able to detect your location.

MI5 · ‎28-01-2013

How do (weather) apps detect location if they don't ping a cell tower?.... When I look at my broadband server it can be anywhere from Sheffield to Berkshire !

I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.

Bambino · ‎28-01-2013

GPS

I DO NOT WORK FOR O2

Anonymous · ‎28-01-2013

@MI5 wrote:
How do (weather) apps detect location if they don't ping a cell tower?.... When I look at my broadband server it can be anywhere from Sheffield to Berkshire !

It's not the weather app that's locating you - it gets that from the phone itself.

Geolocation data can come from three main sources. There's GPS using satellites, triangulation using masts and more recently, triangulation using mapped wireless signals. Mapping wifi is what Google's Streetview cars were supposed to be doing when they "accidentally" nabbed a load of data from open routers a couple of years ago - and got into rather a lot of trouble.

I don't know which O2 are currently using - certainly the masts but no idea on the other two.

The fact that your phone is constantly locating you - in some case, even when switched off - has been criticised as a threat to privacy - but it's also been hailed as benefit cos it can help find missing phones and even missing people.