Understanding Mobile Data

How much data will you need?
As an estimate, here’s a guide describing how much data you’ll need each month for various online activities. These estimates are based on typical sizes and are subject to change – your usage may vary but in general we estimate streaming videos/movies in standard definition at 0.7GB per hour, streaming music at 128MB per hour and app downloads at 1GB per item. As apps become more sophisticated and cameras create higher resolution images and video, it’s likely that your data consumption will increase.

Tips for limiting your data usage.
Here are some ways you can limit your data usage.

Connect to WiFi.
When you’re connected to a WiFi network, you won’t use your plan’s mobile data.

To reduce your mobile data usage connect to WiFi when completing data tasks such as:

• Installing software updates.
• Downloading and updating apps.
• Syncing cloud storage services.
• Streaming video and audio.

Device data monitors.
Most smartphones have in-built data monitors to provide details of your data usage.

Switch off mobile data access.
You can limit your data usage by switching off mobile data access in your phone’s settings. Some devices also allow you to restrict mobile data access for certain apps or features.

Switch off background data.
Your device may still be using data in the background, even when you’re not actively using it. To reduce your background data, you can try switching off automatic:

• Backups
• File transfers
• App updates
• Email refresh and attachment downloads
• Data saving in apps.
• Many popular apps have data saving features that can be configured to help reduce the amount of data they use.

Additional Information

What do I do if I can’t connect to mobile data?
Most new phones are automatically set up for mobile data when you insert your SIM. However, some devices may require manual configuration. If you can’t connect to mobile data, please call our Customer Support team on 1300 882 448.

How much is 1GB of data?
1GB is equivalent to 1024 megabytes (MB) or 1,048,576 kilobytes (KB). As a rough guide, 1GB of data would let you do one of the following:

• Watch one hour and 20 minutes of video at Standard Definition
• Stream roughly eight hours of high quality music (320kbps)
• Send or receive about 1000 emails
• Send over 1.5 million WhatsApp messages (without pictures or video)

Do downloads and uploads count towards my data usage?
Yes. Both downloads (data you receive) and uploads (data you send) count towards your data usage.

Is data usage charged at a different rate while tethering or using my device as a Wi-Fi hotspot?
No. Data usage is charged at the same rate, whether you’re tethering or using your device as a WiFi hotspot.

How much data does tethering / using a hotspot use?
Tethering is using your mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide an internet signal for another device (such as a tablet or laptop.) The amount of data you use will depend on what you’re using the tablet or laptop for. For example, streaming a movie on your tablet while tethered to your phone will use a similar amount of mobile data as streaming the movie direct to your phone.