Why your data is really disappearing

J

Jamie McKane

MyBroadband Journalist
Joined
Mar 2, 2016
Messages
7,000
Reaction score
1,007
Why your data is really disappearing

Smartphone users are constantly complaining about disappearing data and that networks are stealing from them.

Besides incredibly rare instances where there are network issues and user data balances are affected, we have bad news for you - your data is not disappearing.
 
Jamie McKane said:
Why your data is really disappearing

Smartphone users are constantly complaining about disappearing data and that networks are stealing from them.

Besides incredibly rare instances where there are network issues and user data balances are affected, we have bad news for you - your data is not disappearing.
Click to expand...

Weren’t you just saying the other day that it disappears when you leave the sim in the drawer though?
 
Of course it's disappearing.
The networks are not rolling it over.
Stealing is what it's called.
 
Sweevo said:
Weren’t you just saying the other day that it disappears when you leave the sim in the drawer though?
Click to expand...

Well, that was only MTN on LTE connections, that were charging for a network event they shouldn't have .

WASPs and such don't take your data, they take your airtime/money.
 
Somebody has yet to explain the massive discrepancies when ALL devices go through a central LTE SIMmed router that logs all usage. When comparing these logs to the various online "check your usage" facilities of Vodacom etc, the following comes to light:

On a Vodacom prepaid 20Gb data package, the loss can be as large as 1.5 Gb in less than a month! A 10 Gb package, usually around 400 Mb within a month. Cell C has the least loss. In fact, they are usually pretty close to what is expected, with only a few Mb difference (which I can understand). The worst one-time "loss" ever experienced with a 250 Gb package from Cell C was 200 Mb in total over a number of months.

So, to spell it out:
Vodacom:
1.5 Gb missing on a 20Gb package in a month
400 Mb missing on a 10 Gb package in a month
Cell C:
Only 200 Mb missing on a 250 Gb package over a couple of months, but generally almost spot-on between expected and indicated.

Oh, and this has nothing to do with "expiring" bundles. The bundles were all still valid.

Oh, and more: When challenging Vodacom via emails on the above - with evidence attached - and you don't get an adequate response and complain about the response, somebody usually replies with a "I'll take ownership" of the issue - but you'll never hear from them again. Ever.
 
Last edited:
The Reddit app makes Instagram look like small potatoes when it comes to data use.
 
graybeard said:
Somebody has yet to explain the massive discrepancies when ALL devices go through a central LTE SIMmed router that logs all usage. When comparing these logs to the various online "check your usage" facilities of Vodacom etc, the following comes to light:

On a Vodacom prepaid 20Gb data package, the loss can be as large as 1.5 Gb in less than a month! A 10 Gb package, usually around 400 Mb within a month. Cell C has the least loss. In fact, they are usually pretty close to what is expected, with only a few Mb difference (which I can understand). The worst one-time "loss" ever experienced with a 250 Gb package from Cell C was 200 Mb in total over a number of months.

So, to spell it out:
Vodacom:
1.5 Gb missing on a 20Gb package in a month
400 Mb missing on a 10 Gb package in a month
Cell C:
Only 200 Mb missing on a 250 Gb package over a couple of months, but generally almost spot-on between expected and indicated.

Oh, and this has nothing to do with "expiring" bundles. The bundles were all still valid.

Oh, and more: When challenging Vodacom via emails on the above - with evidence attached - and you don't get an adequate response and complain about the response, somebody usually replies with a "I'll take ownership" of the issue - but you'll never hear from them again. Ever.
Click to expand...

What are you using to measure the data ? Most consumer routers aren’t exactly the most accurate plus one provider might be zero rating certain traffic where others may not.
 
Weren't there articles saying the opposite in the last 6 months ..... MyBB you really need to check your paymasters more often and choose a side.
 
Jamie McKane said:
Why your data is really disappearing

Smartphone users are constantly complaining about disappearing data and that networks are stealing from them.

Besides incredibly rare instances where there are network issues and user data balances are affected, we have bad news for you - your data is not disappearing.
Click to expand...

What you not mentioning is all the garbage that's being downloaded with the info you want, look at all the banners, adds etc then you'll better understand. App designers should look at developing tools to lock this out if not wanted or limiting it to the minimum when being mobile.
 
This is true there are apps I do not use when on a mobile connection just due to how data hungry they are.
 
quovadis said:
What are you using to measure the data ? Most consumer routers aren’t exactly the most accurate plus one provider might be zero rating certain traffic where others may not.
Click to expand...
Nah routers measure data. Network estimate it. Some estimate it better than others and I've seen Cell C usually charges just over 95% of what you actually use.
 
Peter Strydom said:
What you not mentioning is all the garbage that's being downloaded with the info you want, look at all the banners, adds etc then you'll better understand. App designers should look at developing tools to lock this out if not wanted or limiting it to the minimum when being mobile.
Click to expand...
That's what browsers like Brave are for. Also what a pi-hole is for.
 
Swa said:
Nah routers measure data. Network estimate it. Some estimate it better than others and I've seen Cell C usually charges just over 95% of what you actually use.
Click to expand...

Nah, data can be measured in numerous ways. It’s not estimated.
 
quovadis said:
Nah, data can be measured in numerous ways. It’s not estimated.
Click to expand...
Routers count the bytes. If it doesn't give you an accurate reading there's something wrong with it. Networks estimate your usage by what you download and then apply a formula. Cell C charges for only about 95%. Vodacom is more accurate like 98-99% but there's been times they overestimate it as well.
 
Jamie McKane said:
, we have bad news for you - your data is not disappearing.
Click to expand...

Most news sites wait for other people to call their BS. MyBB must be the only one where they call their own BS.:unsure: I can link you to at least one article, written by yourself, where you proved data is disappearing.

Sometimes not flogging a dead horse article is the better option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter