Computer Hope

Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: Mr. Green on July 19, 2008, 09:47:53 AM

Title: broadband usage question
Post by: Mr. Green on July 19, 2008, 09:47:53 AM
hello, this is my first post. i am pretty illiterate when it comes to computers and i am hoping someone can help me out. i signed up for a 40 mb plan on july 6, my first bill came on july 14 and said i had already exceeded my limit by thousands of mbs. i haven't downloaded anything to my computer but i have used real player to watch 3 min clips and i've watched youtube clips. i guess my question is how long does it "normally" take to "use up" 40 mbs? is 40 too low for ave. use, are there better plans for the same amount of money? are mb being used up if your just sitting on a web page reading text or if you leave your modem plugged in when your not online? it just seems that i went over way too fast for a "monthly plan" any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 19, 2008, 11:19:51 AM
You should know that, when you watch Youtube clips, they are downloaded to your computer. So essentially, you download the clips as you watch them on Youtube. That's is what Buffering is.
If it says the video is 50% buffered, you have downloaded 50% of the clip.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: drmsucks on July 19, 2008, 12:46:17 PM
Please give us more details regarding your plan: who is supplier, where are you located, etc.

40 MB seems awfully low - are you sure that's the right number?
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 03:33:06 PM
Quote
40 MB seems awfully low
Just today, only by using the net, my download stands at 25MB.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: drmsucks on July 19, 2008, 03:40:17 PM
Just today, only by using the net, my download stands at 25MB.

Which FF extension keeps track of this? :)
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 03:46:01 PM
It's actually not FF add-on...
NetMeter: http://www.metal-machine.de/readerror/
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Mr. Green on July 19, 2008, 09:11:21 PM
Please give us more details regarding your plan: who is supplier, where are you located, etc.

40 MB seems awfully low - are you sure that's the right number?
    Sprint.It says 40mb of pcs data. overage:50000 kb.  My billing period began on jul 5 and my billing date was jul 9. the salesperson told me that 40 mb was about 3 hours a day ave. for the month, i'm beginning to think i should cancel this plan before i get locked into 2 years. any alternative plan suggestions? I understand they quit doing unlimited usage, is this true?
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 09:16:45 PM
Sprint? What is it? Some wireless internet connection?
40Mb is just ridiculous.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 19, 2008, 09:17:56 PM
Ridiculous as in Good or Bad?
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 09:22:02 PM
Worse, than bad  :)
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 19, 2008, 09:26:20 PM
I'm going to have to check with my parents but I think we have an unlimited package or something.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 09:28:40 PM
Are you using Sprint, too?
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Mr. Green on July 19, 2008, 09:47:47 PM
i,m going back and talking to them. can you recommend  a good service, i don't have a landline or cable so i figured mobile broadband was the way to go. i'm guessing i could get dsl without having cable tv. is it possible to go "wireless" using cable?
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Mr. Green on July 19, 2008, 09:59:30 PM
Sprint? What is it? Some wireless internet connection?
40Mb is just ridiculous.
google "Sprint mobile broadband reviews" what comes up is mostly positive, even for the 40 mb plan. i don't get it.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 10:10:12 PM
You simply can't surf internet on 40Mb monthly limit.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: drmsucks on July 19, 2008, 10:22:21 PM
As far as I know, most broadband suppliers are still 'unlimited.'

You didn't answer the question about where you are located; nonetheless, look for 'dry loop DSL' aka 'naked DSL.' This is DSL broadband across the phone system but you don't need to have telephone service.

Typical prices are $30 - $50/month for unlimited usage at speeds of 1.5 - 7.0 Mbps.

To put 40 MB into perspective (and bear in mind that you 'ran out' in 4 - 5 days), my XP SP3 down load was ≈65 MB. Admittedly, that's unusual, but it doesn't seem unusual to download 2 - 15 MB/month just from Windows Update - for one computer.

google "Sprint mobile broadband reviews" what comes up is mostly positive, even for the 40 mb plan. i don't get it.


This service is not for use at home, but, rather, for the business traveller who can check email, search Google maps, etc., while on the road several days a month.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 19, 2008, 10:30:36 PM
This is my usage for last few months:

(http://209.85.48.8/228/109/upload/p4053332.gif)
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 19, 2008, 10:33:47 PM
Are you using Sprint, too?
No....I don't believe so.
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: drmsucks on July 19, 2008, 10:43:33 PM
So, Mr. Green, let's assume that Broni is a 'heavy' user and is on the internet 15 hours a day. And, let's assume that you are a 'normal' to 'light' user and average 1 hour/day.

If we throw out the unusual 105 GB usage in April, Broni averaged ≈35 GB/month. Assuming that you and he have the same 'surfing pattern,' and your time spent surfing is 1/15 of his - your average would be ≈2.33 GB/month.

And Sprint allows you 40 MB...
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 20, 2008, 09:09:26 AM
Nice calculation, Mr. drmsucks :)
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: drmsucks on July 20, 2008, 11:03:55 AM
Nice calculation, Mr. drmsucks :)

Thank you :-[

But the point is that (IMO) 40MB for 'normal' use hasn't been enough since I was 'surfing' Prodigy at 1200 bps - or was it 600?!
Title: Re: broadband usage question
Post by: Broni on July 20, 2008, 11:19:51 AM
I have no idea what's going on here, since I've never heard about any internet connection with 40MB limit.
I think, we won't solve it, until Mr. Green give us a link to his service description.