Controlling Roaming charges? - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
Just about to go abroad with my N1 for the first time.
Any tips for controlling roaming charges (other than obviously to limit my use)? Are there any apps that can help?
Cheers.

I'm in Vancouver, Canada, and recently drove down to Seattle. Usually, when I get to the border I just turn my phone off to avoid any issues. This time though, I left it on to see what my N1 would do when switching networks. Once I connected in the US, to Tmobile, my data services automattically turned off, and I never had any additional charges.
Make sure in Settings - Wireless and Networks - Mobile Networks, Data Roaming is UNchecked, and your data services should automatically be disabled once you're roaming.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Thanks. I will be doing that.
But I will need to use it sometimes, and I'm scared that loads of background stuff will start using up data.

Related

"Basically, all wi-fi enabled phones require a data plan"??

Hello,
My question is to know whether Wi-fi is free using MY wireless connection from MY router?
I have AT&T with no data plan on my Xperia X1a. But a no data plan does not necessarily mean that I won't get charged for it. I use 'NoData' program to disable 'AT&T ISP GPRS' and 'MEdia Net'.
I went to the 'Comm Manager' on the top taskbar and made sure 'Data Connection' was OFF..
The reason why I ask this is because I came across a post on Yahoo Answers that kept me skeptical
"Basically, all wi-fi enabled phones require a data plan."??
There is no reason or even sense that wifi phones would require data plans. But in pratice phones have the tendency to try to connect via data plans if they want to access the net and you'll have to figure settings that prevent that. As long as your data connection stays offline there should be no issue.
I spoke with a AT&T phone operator and was told it was $2 per MB even if I was using Wi-Fi.
I checked my data usage on 'SPB Wireless Monitor' and it states I owe $0.00 using 'AT&T ISP GPRS', 'MEdia Net' and 'Wi-fi', but that AT&T phone operator
glostix said:
I spoke with a AT&T phone operator and was told it was $2 per MB even if I was using Wi-Fi.
I checked my data usage on 'SPB Wireless Monitor' and it states I owe $0.00 using 'AT&T ISP GPRS', 'MEdia Net' and 'Wi-fi', but that AT&T phone operator
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Rule number one with all types of phone operator: call again if you don't like the answer. He either had no clue or didn't understand what you're talking about. Your mobile phone provider has nothing to do with any traffic you do via wlan, unless your wlan router itself uses UMTS (which means it would have a sim card on it's own) - but I'm certain you use dsl or cable.
Btw. using any smartphone with only wlan is only half the fun. You should really looking into getting a plan so you can use the net even outside your home.
wifi means free data.
let me explain it a bit better.
you have a laptop...
your traveling.
you check into a hotel that offers wifi.
does that mean you then call the cable company to run a line?
but like the other poster said, your phone may say it wants 3g preferred over wifi.
that would be a rom issue i believe.
hell i have a touch pro that the keyboard (slide out) broke.
so now its my Garmin GPS unit. and wifi sniffer.
cant do anything else with it.
wifi, gps, bluetooth are all free.
in fact, thats why they have made a vonage app for blackberry and iphone. so that you can have internet phone without cellular
hope that helps.
Yes, thank you for the clarification nhvolt.
The telephone operator was very vague cause I needed authorization of the biller (my parents last 4 digits of their SSN, of which I did not have access to) to log-in and have a convo with them.
Anyways, I will continue to use Wi-Fi been said it is free. I trust you guys. Thanks!
Actually, since September 06, 2009, a $30 data plan was automatically added to users with smartphones by AT&T from tracking IMEI.
So technically, you do have to pay, since AT&T automatically bills you $30 for being a smartphone user, whether you use it or not.
Considering if wi-fi is free using my own home network, will the bill rise even more if I were to use it?
glostix said:
Actually, since September 06, 2009, a $30 data plan was automatically added to users with smartphones by AT&T from tracking IMEI.
So technically, you do have to pay, since AT&T automatically bills you $30 for being a smartphone user, whether you use it or not.
Considering if wi-fi is free using my own home network, will the bill rise even more if I were to use it?
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NO! Wi-Fi has NOTHING to do with your provider (AT&T)
As long as you have your connections disabled in NODATA, all your internet via WiFi is free.
@Hannigan: AT&T has been charging users a "smartphone fee" if they detect you're using a smartphone (via IMEI, I guess). Even if you're not on a data plan.
@glostix: there's a thread here on how to get your phone exempted from the stupid fee, I just can't remember where (I found it via the XDA front page so there's a big chance it's not on the X1 boards)
glostix said:
Actually, since September 06, 2009, a $30 data plan was automatically added to users with smartphones by AT&T from tracking IMEI.
So technically, you do have to pay, since AT&T automatically bills you $30 for being a smartphone user, whether you use it or not.
Considering if wi-fi is free using my own home network, will the bill rise even more if I were to use it?
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bud, its like asking if your laptop will incure cellular rates if it uses your wifi.
wifi is completely free.
Ipods have wifi
laptops
desktops
skype phones
all wifi is free.
the only time you would ever need to pay for it is to access a wireless router. such as a hotel or starbucks.
but home network all free. Promise.
LoL, nothing is free, but I can assure you using WiFi on your phone will cause NO extra billing thru your wireless phone provider. it WILL however tie up bandwidth from your internet connection slowing anyone else down who tries to use it
Wi-Fi has nothing to do with the cellular data conenction, bro. Some apps MAY try to connect via the data connection and the wi-fi one and that will cost you.
1 - Download "No Data" and disable your data connection with the operator.
2 - Use wi-fi only.
3 - ...

what to turn off when on holiday

im off on holiday to Vegas on wendesday with me Nexus 1, what do i need to turn off to make sure im not hit with some massive bill when i get back to the UK?
I've read stories about people being charged sh*t loads cause they left things running in the background of there phone for example then they get hit with a massive internet usage bill.
should i turn wifi off, GPS, auto sync, widgets, etc
Wifi works independent of cellular signal so you do not need to worry about that at all. GPS and Auto-Sync rely on internet access, whether wifi or cellular. Widgets will not be a bother unless they access internet, in which case you want then not to be using cellular access.
Aside from roaming phone calls, the reason people get massive bills is wireless cellular internet. So turn off cellular internet access, and use wifi whenever you need the internet.
just turn off data roaming and you're golden.
i would turn the phone completely off! when i went to germany last year i didnt dare turn on my g1, i was told i would have roaming charges even if i didnt use the phone, and it was on, in standby mode. better safe than sorry...imho
enjoy your holiday btw
Backup your APN settings and then delete them.
That way, you won't need to worry about internet charges
ironcrotch said:
just turn off data roaming and you're golden.
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+1000
This worked for me in US and Spain earlier this year (UK resident on O2). Unless you've changed the default you'll probably find it's already switched off.
skitty said:
Backup your APN settings and then delete them.
That way, you won't need to worry about internet charges
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dont delete the apn settings, just edit them and add an XXX at the end of them. this will render them non-functional, and you can just remove the XXX when you get back home and your data will work again.
ironcrotch said:
just turn off data roaming and you're golden.
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Thirded. If you're paranoid, you can turn off cellular data altogether. Erasing your APN's would work too, but that's overkill.
Err... don't bugger around with apns.
Turn off data roaming.
If you're paranoid, call your carrier and tell them to disable data roaming for you. Advise them that you're travelling and want no surprise data charges. Then they can't bill you.

Strange data issues. How to track down malicious apps?

Alright, I really need some help from the big boys here.
I have had my N1 since release. I have T-Mobile and no data plan. Everything I do is over wifi.
On Friday, I saw the 3g icon on my phone for the first time. It appeared out of nowhere and just flips between 3G and E since T-Mobile just blocks data for non-plan users. This was killing the battery life of the phone.
I called Google and they ran me through *#*#4636#*#* to disable the data connection. This fixed the problem for a while; However after a while the phone will give a message that there is no service provider and will reconnect to T-Mobile (it has never done this before outside of phone boots). When it is back up the 3G/E cycling starts again. Even worse the data connection still lists as disabled and will not re-enable. I have to pop the battery out while it is running to get back in to disable it.
Google thinks its an app but I have removed everything but Touchdown and K9 which I don't think are the problem. I have used Android OS Monitor and I do see connections to 64.15.75.218 and 209.44.107.13 which are hot beds for malware and when I uninstall any app these connections vanish temporarily. But they come back after a few hours.
Anyone seen this before or know a way to track IP connections to a particular app?
I have no solution for tracing 'malicious' software but it is possible to just disable all mobile data usage.
Settings/Wireless and network settings/ Mobile networks > "Data enabled"
If you unselect this there should be no more data transfer while on the mobile network.
I do not have that option. Google Rep said it was only in froyo.
Problem is I did the same thing for 2.1 but it keeps coming back on. Even with wifi the phone connects to these ips so who knows what it is doing.
3G isn't used only for data, you can do voice on 3G.
Could be T-Mobile expanding 3g into your are where you didn't have coverage before.
Call T-Mobile and make sure you're not actually using data.
As for tracking applications, you can use System Panel Pro of the market to monitor how much data applications are using.
I know I am not using data. The T-Mobile account page is pretty detailed and I am unable to do anything online when wifi is off. 3G has also been available for a while here as I know others that use it.
I will check out system panel.
Thanks.
UmbraeSoulsbane said:
I do not have that option. Google Rep said it was only in froyo.
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It is indeed only on Froyo, however, Froyo is out now, so install it and you'll instantly benefit.
A few more things:
Were you receiving or sending MMS (picture/video messages) when the 3G icon popped up? This is normal and doesn't usually come out of your data balance.
If you'd like to be triple-sure you're not using data, go into the APN settings. Edit the APN name - e.g. change tmobile.com to nomobile.com. Now it *really* shouldn't be able to access data.
Smarphones would be well to do to have a Zonealarm/little snitch type app for this purpose.
Id imagine ad based apps wouldnt be too happy about it. At the least an app that reports IPs times , and IN/OUT info.
I never use SMS or mms and have not gotten any during this time.
My concern is not related to getting charges but with unwanted use of my phone or data. When the data connection auto enables it will go through my battery in a matter or hours and who knows what the phone may be doing.
I know I can turn this off and make sure data is not used - in fact I have already done this. However when smoke enters room you don't just put a towel under the door and forget about it. I want to find the source of this and stop it because the behavior is not normal.
I agree something like zone alarm would be good. You should be able prevent or track an app activities for situations like this. If I knew what was connecting to these IPs and enabling the data connection I could stop it and report the app or submit a bug request. Right now I am just all alone.
I did try system panel which seems like a nice app but it does not give me good information on network usage by app. OSMonitor is better at connection monitoring but doesn't list by app. Why has no one thought to monitor network threads by app?
Try alogcat maybe? Any time you notice the icon suddenly appearing, save a copy of the logcat and comb through it.
alogcat may work. Figured out OSMonitor had something similar and filtered by app.
Now I just gotta wait I guess. Still not enough info to relate to IP though.
You should know that the data connection setting isn't an enforcement for the entire phone. It only acts as a notice to applications on whether or not to use data in the background.
Developers are supposed to respect those settings, but they are not enforced.
There is a free program called Network Statistics which is no longer in the market. I will backup the apk for you and upload it so you can use it. It shows the amount of data used by each app.
I too had a data hungry app issue and this helped me solve it immediately.
I'm just at work ATM, so I'll do it this evening. (Almost midday now here in Australia )
Cheers,
Ross
@JCopernicus
I am aware of this which is why I want to track this problem down.
@Ross
That sounds great. I appreciate the help. Not sure if tracking data usage is enough since I don't think the app is sending a lot of data. But I am willing to try anything.
I should be getting froyo soon so maybe that will help as well.
This is what I do when I want to ensure I don't use Data. Go I. To wireless connections. Mobile Networks, and then access points. Create a new one. I usually call it No Data. The for the apn, I just make something dumb, like no.data.com, and then save. After I'll select that as my apn.
The issue is not about the use of the data connection. I have done this and can guarantee the phone cannot use any cell data network. The problem is an app is trying to use it anyway even when it is disabled. Even if you ignore that as a concerning activity the constant 3G searching reduces the battery life to a mere hours.
I appreciate the help, but my issue is not with how to disable the data connection. Its about identifying malware on my device, and tracking an app calls to a specific IP.
Again,k 3g doesn't mean data. 3g is also used for voice.
If you only want to use "2g" switch your phone over to gsm only through 4636 or through the menu where it says "use 2g only".
You will never see the 3g icon again.
If you wan't to be 100% sure no app is calling an IP, then do a factory reset. Install apps one by one, monitor them through the various options given in this thread already.
You will not be able to prevent an application from "calling home" unless you modify the app itself. Apps use the data connection provided to them by the OS however they see fit.
Every app you install has a permissions prompt that will tell you it want's internet access.
JCopernicus said:
Again,k 3g doesn't mean data. 3g is also used for voice.
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The Android "3G", "H", "E" or "G" icon denotes data. It may also appear temporarily when making the connection necessary to transmit MMS. It does not appear when the phone is using voice over 3G without a data connection.
Actually, this may be a T-Mobile issue - they just enabled the ability to do "pay as you go" data on ALL plans without a data plan, so they may be the ones turning on the ability to do data. You'd still need to authorize it in your browser, and I think it costs about $1/1MB so it is totally not worth it.
May be worth looking into because it wouldn't surprise me if their new "service" is screwing things up.
I am aware of 3G voice but the 3G status icon is related to data flow. I have had the phone since launch and posted this because this behavior is not normal. Even Google was perplexed by what it is doing. And as I said it is not constrained by the 4636 settings.
And I disagree that an app can use the network connection as they see fit. Rights are given to perform its intended purpose; anything else is malicious.

Mobile data permission request - help please!

Hi everyone. This is my first post in a long time. I just bought an SGT & I'm over the moon with it - what an incredible piece of tech!
However, I do have one problem/question that I need help with... Bear with me because although it's quite a simple problem, it's difficult to explain! When I configure my APN settings (Globe Philippines), it automatically connects & stays connected unless I lose signal (but then it reconnects automatically again). In almost every developed country in the world, this is not a problem because you would be on a data plan (post-paid) or you could buy a data allowance (pre-paid) so it doesn't matter that it automatically connects & stays connected... you wouldn't keep racking up the charges. But here it's different... The vast majority of people are on pre-paid (we can't qualify for post-paid contract) and the mobile networks charge per 15 minutes of data useage.
So, you see, if my Tab connects automatically without warning it can cost me a small fortune. I'm currently using an App called APNdroid to manually enable/disable my mobile data connection. Although this is better than nothing, it's not ideal. My other phones default to mobile data = off & pop up a warning when I'm about to connect to internet. They also allow me easily terminate the connection when I'm finished browsing.This is what I'm after for the Tab. Surely this is not too much to ask? Does anybody have any suggestions that may help me out?
It seems as though the SGT/Android has been designed with the assumption that everyone that wants to use mobile data will be on a post-paid data plan. I would if I could, but I (and millions of others in this backward country) can't.
Thanks in advance & sorry for the long, rambling post!
Sent from my GT-P1000T using XDA App
andychud said:
Hi everyone. This is my first post in a long time. I just bought an SGT & I'm over the moon with it - what an incredible piece of tech!
However, I do have one problem/question that I need help with... Bear with me because although it's quite a simple problem, it's difficult to explain! When I configure my APN settings (Globe Philippines), it automatically connects & stays connected unless I lose signal (but then it reconnects automatically again). In almost every developed country in the world, this is not a problem because you would be on a data plan (post-paid) or you could buy a data allowance (pre-paid) so it doesn't matter that it automatically connects & stays connected... you wouldn't keep racking up the charges. But here it's different... The vast majority of people are on pre-paid (we can't qualify for post-paid contract) and the mobile networks charge per 15 minutes of data useage.
So, you see, if my Tab connects automatically without warning it can cost me a small fortune. I'm currently using an App called APNdroid to manually enable/disable my mobile data connection. Although this is better than nothing, it's not ideal. My other phones default to mobile data = off & pop up a warning when I'm about to connect to internet. They also allow me easily terminate the connection when I'm finished browsing.This is what I'm after for the Tab. Surely this is not too much to ask? Does anybody have any suggestions that may help me out?
It seems as though the SGT/Android has been designed with the assumption that everyone that wants to use mobile data will be on a post-paid data plan. I would if I could, but I (and millions of others in this backward country) can't.
Thanks in advance & sorry for the long, rambling post!
Sent from my GT-P1000T using XDA App
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Click to collapse
This is a perfectly logical question. Its the same issue when you are roaming in a foreign country/network. Here is what I do Settings => Mobile Network Settings => Data Enabled == OFF when I don't want to use data.
@cnewsgrp... Thanks for the reply. What you are suggesting is pretty much what I'm doing except that instead of going into settings, I have an app on my home screen that does it for me in one click. However, this is not ideal. All I'm after is for my Galaxy Tab to ask me which of my configured APNs do I want to connect to when a data connection is needed (if not using wifi) & then automatically disconnect from it when it's not needed. I have this facility on my Nokia E71.
Sent from my GT-P1000T using XDA App
Yeah, I remember that with E71. I don't recollect having that option with Android
How about APN Lock App?

[Q] Rogue Robots

I am on my second T-Mo LG G4. Both have exhibited a strange behavior that is rather annoying. I've disabled all automatic sync features and the like - in the same manner as I've done successfully with both a Nexus 5 and a LS990 G3.
So here's the issue(s):
1) Whenever I boot the phone - it automatically turns mobile on. e.g. as indicated by "Data Enabled" quick toggle or the Android Setup slider control.
2) Most times when I enable WiFi, the phone (or whatever) systematically turns on mobile data again - and it's damn repeatable e.g. at ~ 15 seconds after I tap the WiFi quick toggle.
3) Most times when I am running off of WiFi, the mobile data will randomly come on by itself even after I hammered it off that first time in response to manually turning on WiFi.
Zero technical assistance from the obvious sources. LG points the finger at T-Mo. T-Mo points the finger at LG.
I'm starting to think this is related to the Lollipop API change crammed down everyone's throat by Google.
I'm on metered service and have grown accustomed to living off of WiFi. With prior phones I was in full control of what I've been charged. With the G4, it's nearly impossible to manage ...
Any thoughts, shared experiences or recommendations ?
Hmm, there is a setting that can automagically use LTE if the Wifi is detected not to have internet access. I can't think of what it's called at the moment but it's in setting somewhere - possibly WIFI settings.
I would also be sure to disable T-Mobile's "diagnostics" setting in the T-Mobile app and attempt to turn off any other monitoring settings contained within. I think there is a setting that monitors the LTE signal strength and that could be making it pop on.
Other than that, it does seem rather annoying for you! You are on T-Mobile though, didn't you get the 10GB data pass and have the unused data rollover? Another note, why not setup the data limiter in Data Usage to automagically turn off the data after X GB usage. I know it isn't a direct solution but if data usage is a concern, it could work as a workaround!
Hey, thanks for the response and suggestions.
To be clear, I'm on Ting's GSM network - which is serviced by T-Mo.
I'm well versed with Android and prior to this phone I was on a Nexus 5 with 5 .1 .1 and it didn't behave like this.
I've tried all the buried settings to get in front of "enabled" data on two different G4's but nothing is panning out.
And yes, I did think of that T-Mo diagnostics app and it's not enabled - at least not on the surface.
And one more thing, my WiFi is solidly connected when data goes rogue robot.
Hadn't considered the data cap setting. Seems clunky but might help until a custom ROM is available.
rockerrock said:
Hmm, there is a setting that can automagically use LTE if the Wifi is detected not to have internet access. I can't think of what it's called at the moment but it's in setting somewhere - possibly WIFI settings.
I would also be sure to disable T-Mobile's "diagnostics" setting in the T-Mobile app and attempt to turn off any other monitoring settings contained within. I think there is a setting that monitors the LTE signal strength and that could be making it pop on.
Other than that, it does seem rather annoying for you! You are on T-Mobile though, didn't you get the 10GB data pass and have the unused data rollover? Another note, why not setup the data limiter in Data Usage to automagically turn off the data after X GB usage. I know it isn't a direct solution but if data usage is a concern, it could work as a workaround!
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