12 replies to this topic

[Techie]

I wrote a post trying to tell people that maybe they don't really need a data plan. It's a biased post but it gets the point across that there's usually WiFi everywhere and it's not worth it to pay $15 - $30 per month to have data the half hour when we're on the road. There's WiFi where we are, we just have to put in the effort to connect to the networks.

Now I want to bring the discussion to TechGeeks and see what the members here think. I know you all have data plans on your phones so do you think it's worth it?

[mrxbox]

Well I don't have a data plan nor wifi so..... I don't really think it is necessary but with all the password protected wifi networks it could be frustrating.

[Techie]

mrxbox, on 03 September 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

Well I don't have a data plan nor wifi so..... I don't really think it is necessary but with all the password protected wifi networks it could be frustrating.

But at home you have your own WiFi that you know the password to, and at work you have the WiFi that you have the password to. This is where people will spend most of their time

[Chiuy]

I currently have the 2GB dataplan on my iPhone.
I'm not sure where you are from, but I live in San Jose, California.
Sure, there's a lot of WiFi places on campus, but when you go out of the campus, it's really annoying to find a WiFi area spot.
I also like to move, meaning I'll lose the WiFi signal in 5 seconds after connecting because I'll be walking to places.
You also got to remember though, there's a lot of routers that have password now and that even some restaurants requires you to go in and be one of their customers before you get their router password.

- Chiuy

[Techie]

Where I live you have to drive everywhere, so if you ever go to a restaurant you're go there to be a customer so you will be a customer.

A lot of networks in residential areas are password protected but I think downtown there's always some free unlocked network from a hotel or cafe or something.

I actually want to write a counter-article to my own article so I'm collecting ideas for why people need a data plan.

[Haze]

Well, with my iPad I have the 3G option and I think I get something like 500MB a month, which is more than enough for me. I only really use the 3G when my dads internet (Which is rubbish!) fails or when I am in my shed which at the moment is not connected to the net, although it will be soon. Although, when I go out with my iPod and I try to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots they are 9/10 either password locked or run by some company which wants to charge extortiante amounts for something like 30 minutes of usage. Thats another reason for 3G or Data plans as you call it.

On a side note, your link didn't work for me.

[Zap]

Have unlimited mobile connection for work laptop and one for home puta as backup if dsl is having a bad day

[Techie]

I now have a data plan on my account I like 4G and it's a huge convenience because I can properly use PUSH notifications and stay logged in to Gtalk and Facebook Messenger, and when I was travelling I could make a hotspot for free when there wasn't free WiFi. If anyone wanted to save money though I'd still recommend an Android phone that you could just use with WiFi.

[Muse]

Can you use the new Samsung Galaxy phone with Wi-Fi? And honestly, I wouldn't use internet enough to pay 30$ a month.

[Techie]

Muse, on 04 December 2011 - 06:24 PM, said:

Can you use the new Samsung Galaxy phone with Wi-Fi? And honestly, I wouldn't use internet enough to pay 30$ a month.

Yes!

[Migueliscool]

I have unlimited data and I use it all the time but the speed frustrates me sooo much.

[Techie]

Migueliscool, on 24 December 2011 - 02:47 AM, said:

I have unlimited data and I use it all the time but the speed frustrates me sooo much.

What's your speed?

I tethered my phone to my PC and I played Counter Strike over the data network It was even smoother than my DSL at home. The ping was always under 60ms!

[Migueliscool]

I dont know my speed all I know is that it doesnt compare to my home internet