Forum Discussion

myredracer's avatar
myredracer
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2015

Verizon 4G mifi GB useage

We love our Verizon mifi and being able to get onto the internet pretty much anywhere we go anytime of the day. Have only had it for a couple of camping seasons but are just nearing the end of an almost 3 week trip and have noticed that the gigabytes seem to be getting used up faster than the gas in our truck climbing a steep grade. Gigabytes aren't cheap and would like to conserve use if possible. It's also a bit of a hassle for us to pay for more gigs because of our plan and being in Canada and use a prepaid card.

Are there things we should be avoiding doing to reduce gigabyte consumption? DW likes her candy crush and does email stuff while I use RV.net plus like to do internet searches on car hobby stuff plus a wide range of subjects. We both also like to interent shop which can involve opening and closing a lot of websites in a short period of time. Is it images that suck up a lot of GB? Should we be closing a window/tab as soon as finished using a website? Are websites with mostly text like RV.net okay? Are some sites constantly refreshing data that uses up more gigs?

Our home internet package has unlimited data useage so it's a bit hard to suddenly have to watch what we're doing while away camping.
  • GREGORYJ's avatar
    GREGORYJ
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2015
    Before leaving home, let laptop, tablet, etc. update, and even receive all emails.
    If it's a laptop that is not always used except for traveling, this is especially important. Then turn off Windows updating after updated till back at home.
    If one has more than one device, just use one for emails. If more than one device is used, each one will be downloading the same emails.
    Better yet, view your mail at your emails provider's site , ie. gmail at mail.google.com for example. Then just select what you want to read and reply to. If someone sends you an email with photos, now you have
    the choice to view them later. You don't have to view or download what you don't what to until at home or in a location where it can be downloaded or viewed for free.
  • keithhelms's avatar
    keithhelms
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Depending on what browser you use, you could install plugins to block ads and flash video. I use Firefox and have the adblock plus and noscript plugins installed. You can selectively whitelist sites so that your bank, for example, is allowed to load anything it wants.

    I have 4GB of monthly data allowance from Verizon and I am a heavy web surfer, but I don't usually come anywhere close to using up that allowance.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    I also set my Windows updates to NOT automatically download. I routinely manually check for updates and then based upon the size of the Windows update waiting to be downloaded, I will either select the download if it is small or wait until we are somewhere that offers free wifi and download the updates then if they are large.


    x2. Windows auto-updates can really eat into your data allowance. When you see something you NEED to update, go to a library and use their wi-fi.

    If you have a SmartTV, make sure that it's not updating automatically via your hotspot also.

    Streaming and gaming can use alot of data. I've never done Candy Crush (no judgements) and don't know how much usage it takes. It might have to go.
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    I also set my Windows updates to NOT automatically download. I routinely manually check for updates and then based upon the size of the Windows update waiting to be downloaded, I will either select the download if it is small or wait until we are somewhere that offers free wifi and download the updates then if they are large.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jul 04, 2015
    I agree with above -- it's the things you DON'T want that eats your data, not so much the things you want. And, Video is a huge data gobbler...
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Turn off auto play videos in Facebook. (both of you if you both use Facebook). Click on the lock at the top, select Videos on the left menu, and select "off" for auto-play videos.
    Turn off auto play video in your browser (shockwave flash) http://www.pcworld.com/article/2858421/how-to-stop-autoplay-videos.html
    These 2 steps helped me a lot. Now I never go over my monthly plan amount.
    Also don't play music, videos or movies as they eat up data.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 04, 2015
    Online gaming will eat data
    All my android games will play with the internet aka Wi-Fi turned off
    No score uploading, no playing against other players, no downloading new levels, no in game purchases
    If your using a PC and Firefox install and ad blocker
    Most free mobile apps are ad supported, so if Wi-Fi connected, you use data , for every popup ad in your mobile app
  • lbrjet's avatar
    lbrjet
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    RV net uses next to nothing. Video eats it up fast, even ads. Install a data monitor on your devices so you can track usage. Maybe you had some operating system updates installed.

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