I got an XDAII in mid May (birthday present from my wife) and did not receive a bill until end June.
When I saw the first bill there was a GPRS call at 9.37am on a Sunday morning where I apparently downloaded 56MB of data ?. I cannot account for this and have repeatedly queried it. It has costed me EUR 231 plus VAT. which I am still querying with O2.
Can anyone help / clarify how this could or might have happened:
- I always turn off internet explorer after using it.
- I did not download any games, ringtones, video clips
- I was conscious of the cost of using the internet on GPRS so did not tend to stay on long.
- The most any another GPRS call cost me was EUR9.00. (which is expensive enough).
- 56 MB must be the equivalent of 100's of webpages and would have taken hours ? to down load
Could I have downloaded some sort of virus or could there have been some sort of program which downloaded itself. It was only a once off.
It is driving me mad and I am afraid to go near the internet XDA.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me and if so can I do aything with O2.
Thanks.
Hello,
Did you just semi-close (minimise with the 'X') I.E (Internet Explorer) .? or did you shut it down in the 'Running Program List' under 'Memory Settings'?
I made that mistake when I went to www.XE.com (live Foreign exchange rates), I just minimised it, turned off GPRS and left it on the kitchen table.
I went back to it 2 hrs later and it racked up €9 of GPRS!!!!!!!!!!!
XE.com refreshes itself every 30 seconds or there abouts, so it reconnected my XDA2 to GPRS!!!
So, if you left the IE on a site that refreshes itself frequently it will consume a lot of GPRS!!!!
Hope that helps
Andrew
E-mail could be another source of problems like this. Company VPN...would keep sending data constantly.
I guess I'm glad I have unlimited data...130MB downloaded so far this billing period!
Thanks for your replies Folks.
I think i just mininised/closed the screen by tapping the x - I thought that this closed the internet explorer. Obviously not.
I am glad to say that after three disputed claims (and being barred from making calls three times, despite paying all the other bill charges), O2 have credited my account to the value of the call, apologised for cutting me off three times and said that it was probably 'streamer' software which constnalty downloads updates weather, business, etc,. They restored my faith in O2 customer service. However, I will be slow to use the internet on my XDAII and will be sticking to Broadband which I have just connected up to.
It just shows - you should always query bills and not accept it even when they tell you that you are wrong
Related
I've been with o2 now for 1x month, just recieved my second bill. However I'm not happy with their billing or customer service at all. There are a number of things I have been unhappy including waiting at least 10 minutes in the que before I'm answered by an o2 customer service rep. Even then they contradict each other giving wrong information its rediculas!
Anyway I will put aside my complaints about o2 for now except to say that their online billing is also crap. Towards the end of June I ran out of free minutes which was suspect at the time so I only used my phone thereafter when I had to in order to prevent clocking up a larger bill. Well the day before my free minutes should be renewed my o2 online bill showed me that I had over 3hrs remaining of free calls even though my bill also showed me that I've been billed extra for calls as my free minutes ran out.
The other complaint I have and this is where I'm asking for advice is that o2 claim I've been connecting to their mobile.o2.co.uk website and downloading data - WHICH I MOST DEFINATLEY HAVE NOT BEEN!!!!
I have disputed this three times with o2 and spent HOURS on the hours on the phone at my expense but they are still billing me for the extra GPRS data. Is there a way to check how much GPRS data has been used on my XDA II?
FAQ from my-XDA.com says this...
Question 9:
How can I track what my GPRS usage?
Answer:
Select Programs > File Explorer > My Device > Windows. Scroll down to the application labelled ByteCounter. Tap and Hold and select Copy. Scroll up and tap the Start Menu folder. Select Edit > Paste Shortcut. This utility is now on your Programs menu , and will report statistics for the last active connection.
Having followed this instruction I have NO "ByteCounter" in which to copy.
Thanks
Paul.
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/gprsmonitor/?en
you are going to pay
What about using the GSM type connection instead of the GPRS one?
Do you get free GSM minutes as well as a certain amount of free GPRS downloads?
Thanks Rudegar I'm trying out that program now.
davidand1, I'm with o2 on the 200 talk plan. I've not been told if I get free GSM minutes, I doubt it very much.
They don't tell you about it, although it'll be in the small print. I found out I get 500 free GSM minutes a month! It's admittedly slower than GPRS but there's a helluva lot less risk of incurring charges when compared to GPRS.
What do they give us these days, 1Mb free?! What a jip. I suggest you check it out, might be worth it...
SPB GPRS monitor is the way to go... it keeps track of your hourly, daily and monthly usages of GPRS.. it even creates a report for a certain period of time of how much you have spent or downloaded and uploaded.. really a must for mobile people...
GSM web access - but how? Free minutes goin a wastin!
oo that pesky anonymous guest!
Suggesting a fine idea then riding off into the sunset like that!
I get 50 minutes a day free which i used to use to check my email with WAP. Tried to get my XDAii to connect via WAP but despite a soul-destroying series of contacts with Orange customer services and wire-free specialists i ended up non the wiser. If anyone can post the settings for orange WAP access i'll be v grateful.
I seem to remember seeing them on another page in this fine forum sometime in the past. Tried em to no avail.
Ta
Hi,
I'm using a lot more data than my O2 Online tariff has available. I've tried getting them to add a Data5 or Data36 type to it unsuccessfully - the best I can do is add a Surf10, which is what I've done, we'll see if that pans out any better when it is meant to kick in at the start of next month.
However, I've got 500 minutes of GSM access per month that I don't and have never used, and am wondering whether I can utilise that to collect eMail or something. I've tried using the phone numbers I've found on the web for the GSM access, but the Exec always complains that there isn't a modem at the other end.
Has anybody got this set up to work, or been successful in getting a better data tariff for an ONLINE account?
Cheers,
Steve.
GSM works for me
Hi Steve - I just set up a new connection using standard dialup account settings and had no problems connecting. This wasn't the O2 dialup (because I couldn't be bothered to look their details up) but an ordinary ISP.
The only problems you may have is whether the 0845 numbers of most ISPs come within the remit your tariff - and if you use the O2 number (which I seem to remember is a short number) that might also fall outside your allowed calls.
John
yeah, that's my point really - it would be nice to utilise the free GSM minutes I have on my tariff to do something useful - they are just mounting up and up, and meanwhile my monthly bill is going the same way.
I think the T-Mobile Web & Talk (or whatever they call it) is where I'll be going next - I've just got another 6 months to wait - may be O2 can sort something out data-wise by then?
Cheers,
Steve.
but until then ..
But until you move steve - I'm pretty sure there are still one or two dialup ISPs with geographical numbers that you probably could use your minutes with - in fact BT used to have one - google should turn one up.
ok, but does that count as GSM minutes, or voice minutes?
Cheers,
Steve
may have changed
A couple of years ago it counted as voice minutes when it was a geographical number even tho it was data transfer (there again I've never understood how they can tell the diffrence when its just gsm, tho I think they used to have a 'blacklist' of the major isp's numbers so they could charge data rates for calls to them) - but they may be wise to it now - you'll just have to see!
Hi,
I'm using a Magician with WM2003
I have a GPRS connection setup for with t-mobile using a proxy.
If I'm not connected it works great- I press send/receive for my e-mail it connects and gets my messages just fine.
If I do it again 5 minutes later also fine.
The problem is after a long time the connection is still active, but when I go to do a Send/Receive-
I get an "unable to connect to the incoming mail server" message. All my other internet apps also will not work. If I turn on flight mode and then turn it off (to disconnect from my GPRS connection) and then try the internet again- it will work fine.
I think what triggers this is going into an area with no service. The GPRS connection stays active- and when I try to use it (even when I'm back in an area with service) it won't work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Daniel
I found this, may help ....
Look for "KeepAliveTime" on the right side of this page
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa915651.aspx
It may help, good luck!
I have this same issue with the htc touch. Not sure what to do about it. I see the keepalivetime but it isn't a hack or a reg edit (that I can tell).
bump
anyone having this kind of an issue on your htc touch?
HI guys, having th same problem here with my Hermes. Strange thing is, this has only started to happen over the last few months. I am on T-Mob (UK) as well... Any one have any ideas, because my push email is driving me crazy (drops the connction and cant connect again, this includes the interent as well.
flashflash said:
HI guys, having th same problem here with my Hermes. Strange thing is, this has only started to happen over the last few months. I am on T-Mob (UK) as well... Any one have any ideas, because my push email is driving me crazy (drops the connction and cant connect again, this includes the interent as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the same here - issues with push mail and when using messenger have to turn flight mode on and off to reconnect to the service - only been like this for few weeks now - never used to be a problem before
So it looks like T-mob have changed something recently. I have been searching various forums trying to find an answer but no luck. TMob reckon nothing has changed when i called them.
I too have the same problem and I am also on t-mob UK.
I will call Tmob again tomorrow and hopefully get through to someone in their tech dept. I knew it had to be Tmob, I had changed nothing on my handset, but they refused to acknowledge that anyone else had a problem.
I use cingular/att with these issues so it's not just tmobile.
mikewchandler said:
bump
anyone having this kind of an issue on your htc touch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not alone here....... nearly every day a soft reset
Also the same with my trinity - but not so often
Having spoken to T-Mob UK, the general thinking is they are imposed restrictions on usage for the basic walk and web service. This includes IMessenger and push e-mail (I knew about IM bit not Push Mail!)
The engineer seems to think the connection will be frozen if the network detects
a IM service (the heatbeat of push mail mail looks to be included in this).
Solution: Upgrade to Walk and Web Plus (extra £5) per month.
I have been given a free month to try and see if this solves my issues. I will let you know how it goes.
Now this could be T-mob fobbing me off and trying to get an extra five quid off me, lets wait and see. Any of you guys on the plus service already??
I was guessing that might be the case, let know how it goes if I need to upgrade
I use the mediamax bundle with cingular/att. I wonder if this is indeed the case. I would need to upgrade to the pda plan, which would be pricey. Mabey that's the case?
Well, I'm afraid it was a nice story that Tmob told me, but it hasn't sorted the problem! I will keep an eye on it over the next few days just in case it takes a few days to set their end, but as of today I still loose connection.
OK, finally got it sorted....! I have GPRS connected all the time now without loosing connection.
Looks like T-mob were telling me the truth. After talking to a T-mobile engineer, he confirms that they now have the network infrastructure to detect and block services that are not covered in certain WnW packages. This went live just over a month ago.
The basic WnW package does not allow Push Email & IM, if detected the network will block your IP. Turning off and on the radio will give you a new IP, so will work again until detected.
For Push Email you will need the WnW plus service. Now the interesting part is if you add on the plus service (a bolt on) it will still not work. You will need to add the package onto your contract not as a bolt on.
Many people have just paid extra for the bolt on but the T-Mob system doesnt recognise this and still blocks Push Mail & IM.
It doesnt cost any extra or change your contract length, its just a different way the customer service people upgrade your account.
Unfortunately the customer service rep that upgraded my account did not know this, but the engineer new straight away.
Hope this helps people.
Thanks for the info.....I use ATT/Cingular. What are the odds they started this same thing a month ago? I've been noticing this problem for about that length of time.
Hi all!
It´s the same for me
I´m using Eplus with Cortado email push in Germany
Every morning a soft reset
Any solutions possible within the registry
Greetings
Gregor
Hi folks. Well i'm VERY stuck with this one. After having a Diamond and a Kaiser, i thought there'd be no changes of significance in this side of things but, seems i may be missing something.
Basically when someone sends me a MMS, the thing takes a damn AGE for it to get to me... example... last one clocked up over twenty MINUTES. The main problem to my knowledge is due to the fact the alert doesn't sound til it's completed it's download, i'm unaware it's doing anything at all so after that, the REAL issue would be... it won't auto disconnect afterwards. What do i need to do cus at this rate, my bill is gonna be a real New Year sickener
Help guys! Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Thanks, DX
P.S. If this one has been mentioned previously then i apologise in advance.
EDIT ---
Additional info:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP!!! LOL
Ok... as of 10.32am this morning, not felt well yadda yadda... woke up and low and behold, what did i see? Yep...
Data Connection still on and running for over 4 HOURS... no mms received, obviously not been surfing in my sleep... again (lol) so why? Why would it wake itself up and lock onto Data?
This is getting more and more bizzare by the day. Time to talk to HTC and see what they say i think.
Update later on #2
Additional info:
Orange Official Standpoint...
After having a chap call me back today about 4 o'clock or so...
Microsoft are SUPPOSEDLY going to be sending out authorisiation for Orange to give out ROM Updates for this phone.
From what i could make of his comments, it seems this is a well known issue with the HD and they seem to have had a LOT of complaints regarding the issue.
More info when i get it from 12 ish tomorrow lunchtime... stand by for another fob off story i'm thinking! lol
DX
A GPRS connection doesn't necessarily cost you money while it's connected; only if it's downloading/uploading something.
If your phone is connecting to GPRS and downloading the MMS content and then sitting idle then it shouldn't be costing anything unless your phone is also checking emails or synchronising your weather.
Example: on my old Touch (Elf) I chose to check for emails every fifteen minutes. The phone was permanently connected to GPRS but my monthly Orange bill for data was only around two or three quid.
Hope this helps.
SiliconS is right. Your GPRS connection should only cost you money when data is being transferred. In some cases (depending on your package with provider) you might have a minimum cost each time you connect.
For example, in my case, I pay 2.4 cents for every 100KB downloaded (other providers charge per 10 KB or per 20 KB or whatever). So, if I connect and only download 2 KB (for example to update weather) then that costs me 2.4 cents. If I disconnect and then connect again an hour later to update weather again, then I pay another 2.4 cents. Total cost for the day = 4.8 cents. I'm keeping the numbers low and simple here.
You get the picture now, right? If I stay connected all day long, I could update the weather 50 times throughout the day and that would cost me (assuming each update transfers 2KB) only 2.4 cents for those 100KB.
Again, that is just my situation, but I wanted to illustrate how your costs really depend on your data package.
On that note, here is a funny story. I watched a youtube video the other day and I didn't realize the thing was 17 MB large. The HD downloaded it and buffered it really fast - started playing within 8 seconds with smooth playback all throughout. I was happy and impressed until I saw that the 4 minute video cost me over 4 Euros to watch!!! Ouch. That wasn't worth it. Anyway, that's not the HD's fault - it performed beautifully. But now I'm not too quick to launch that youtube app.
I also wanted to say that receiving MMS also takes FOREVER on my HD. I have only been sent one MMS so far, and the person attached a photo to it. The HD tried several times to download it and after 5 minutes or so, it gave me an error that it could not synchronize the message. I gave up on it after several tries.
My friend later sent me the picture taken with her mobile phone via email to my PC. I saw that the photo was 800 KB large. Was THAT the problem - that she tried sending an 800KB photo via MMS? I don't know what the limit is there, but it seems a bit large for MMS. However, I assume that her sony ericsson would adapt the picture she took before sending it via MMS.
Is anyone else having problems with MMS?
And when receiving an mms, my phone tried to connect via HSDPA. Does that mean that receiving an mms costs me money too? Sorry - I'm a bit ignorant with mms because I never use it.
SiliconS said:
A GPRS connection doesn't necessarily cost you money while it's connected; only if it's downloading/uploading something
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I have heard it's an energy drainer to have the dataconnection connected all the time albeit non-active. If I remember correctly there's a tweak in one of the apps (HD/Advanced/Diamond) for disconnecting after an x number of minutes disuse.
Hi,
my mobile service provider sent me a bill, wich contains 6GB data transfer (and I have no flat-rate). I'm 100% shure, that I didn't caused that data traffic.
Are there log-files for data transfers at the Touch HD device? I used the "standard" ROM with no traffic manager installed.
Thanks for you help.
Regards
hqqh
hi, as far as i am aware, there is no inbuilt logs of data transfer
but 6GB?!?!?!?!? what on earth have you been doing with your device? using it as a modem for a desktop pc???? downloading loads of video on it?
i thought i was pretty having at surfing, emailing (no attachments thats just silly) etc etc and i dont get through my allowance of 500MB per month
seems an awful lot of data transfer, if you are not sure you've used this up, then i would challenge your service provider
an idea of data usage is here:
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispat...fpb=true&_pageLabel=template09&pageID=MB_0005
but also consider that this is a 3g usb stick for a full size pc, the data usage on a pda should be considerably less for the same sort of usage as you are less likely to have such big files going back and forth
i used that to guestimate that to use 6gb you must have.....
surfed for 5 hours daily, sent 30 emails daily, downloaded 100 mp3 each month, downloaded 50 high res pics each month and downloaded 4 movies each month
that or youve been watching shed loads of streaming porn!
seriously, its not unknown for service providers to get their data billing wrong.....
just a thought, you havent got it setup as a mobile hotspot or something?
Sh*t - 6GB Data transfer?? Reply to Thread
Hi,
thanks for you answer.
I don't use the HD as modem or mobile internet device. Only if I have a wlan connection, I check my emails or some news pages!
This 6GB download should be taken place at one day according to the bill. If you take the theoretical download speed of 7,2MBit/sec this should have taken about 2 hours. But I this under real conditions a bandwidth of 7,2MBit/sec * 0,5 or 0,3 --> I should have downloaded or streamed 5 - 7 hours.
So my plan is to do not pay for these 6GB (580€) and then the moblie service provider has to check the technical equipment. Hopefully there is an error .
Does someone has experience with not correct bills?
Regards
hqqh
i had an incorrect bill, hence my reply
i told them what you are saying basically... that i could not have shifted that much data overnight while i was asleep (i cant remember how much it was now, several hundred MB i think.... which while possible i knew i did not do due to the times the data was transferred.... that was with the HTC Charmer which didnt havent wifi so couldnt have been hacked over wifi somehow (bluetooth was permantly off and unless you were stood outside my front door, you would connect via BT anyway)
they didnt argue and credited my bill
as you are talking about 580euros, then persoanlly i would put a block on the direct debit or however you pay your bill to make sure they dont take the payment then challenge them... this action could mean you breach your contract though
what ever you do dont just not pay them and wait for them to contact you... i would ring your service provider now if i was you
I do a lot of browsing and I often watch a few YouTube videos each month and I've never really gone over 1GB, so something very strange must have happened for that much data to have been used, especially if you don't even browse the web or anything.
Can they deliver to you a detailed bill with when you have downloaded these 6gb.
I use internet access alot, and I reach my 5OOmb limit only one month over 12. It was when I have used alot poping email with big attached files.
You said you that you sometimes alless the net on wifi. But are you sure that you are using only wifi and not gprs.
The best solution for you for the future is to deactivate gprs data access. You will find tools to do it like HDTweak or others.