Which data plan to choose for iPhone 3G ?

[LoneStar]

Dear iLoungers

As the iPhone 3G plans are being announced in Europe, we see a lot of plans with different data caps (500 mb, 1 gb, etc). I actually have no idea how many mega bytes I'm gonna need on my daily use. Since many of you have been toying with the iPhone for a year now, you probably have a better idea. Could you tell me which kind of user needs which kind of data plan ?

Thanks a bunch

[Skrat]

Here in Sweden, many people are not happy with the plans offered with the iPhone. However, Telia does allow people to choose other plans other than those created for the iPhone so there is much discussion about using the smallest package together with an unlimited data package. The cost would be roughly the same as the middle package Telia offers but would give unlimited data instead of only 250Mb. That would be ideal for those that do not talk much or send many sms messages. Another idea was to combine a GSM (EDGE) package with the unlimited data plan since you don't need 3G speed for phone calls or sms messages.

I found that I had used my original iPhone quite a lot but limited the amount of time I talked or let others call me. I sent quite a lot of sms messages but still found that a pre-paid card costing 150SEK (about 26US) lasted me most of the month. I only downloaded data when at a Wifi spot (home or University since they were free).

Look into your carrier's plans again and see if they offer some sort of add-on unlimited data plan. Combine it with one of the iPhone plans OR a GSM plan and you should be ok.

[LoneStar]

nope no such thing as unlimited data here (Switzerland). That's why I'd like to know how many mbs use typical users, heavy users light users, etc.

Any ideas ?

[Skrat]

You have to remember that the new iPhone 2.0 firmware will allow us to use the Appstore which was never a part of the original iPhone. That means that the amount of data being transferred will be quite a lot more than when we used the original iPhone. I typically downloaded over 100 Mb per month with my iPhone simply because it was unlocked and there were always programs/games etc.. that were released onto Installer (the program used by those with unlocked iphones).

With Appstore, there are going to be thousands of programs available to download with a size cap of 2Gb for any programs on Appstore. That can really take a big bite out of your data plan limit. Not to mention that surfing the net, using GPS, emailing etc...will also require a data transfer. This is why we are really angry here in Sweden. Telias smallest plan only gives 100Mb of data and that will be used up in no time by most "typical" users.

As I said, it's a matter of thinking smart. Only download from the Appstore when you are in an are where Wifi can be used and it won't affect you data limits. Don't check your email while you are on the 3g network or at least do so sparingly.

It's difficult to say for sure how much is going to be enough since nobody has seen or used the Appstore, the GPS functions etc... I expect that 200-300Mb per month should be enough though for the typical person who want s to occasionally use the GPS, check their email and download a few things from the Appstore.

[anypats]

I checked my AT&T account online today. My billing period also ends today. I have used 360MB of data. I have days where I almost completely drain my battery using the Internet on my iPhone.

How this would translate to use on the 3G I have no idea. The App Store and GPS will increase most people's usage. Also, with faster internet, I'm assuming usage will probably go up as well.

[hardcle]

The App Store shouldn't increase data usage that much since any app over 10MB will have to be downloaded using iTunes. The cell companies would have a cow if people were downloading 2GB apps over the cell network.