Debate on whether you should offload smartphone data on WiFi, even though you pay for "unlimited"

[Proxcee]

If a user has fast, reliable wifi at home or the office, I'm kind of confused as to why they would use 3G/4G. My home wifi is on my Comcast cable modem and is much faster than the 3G and Wimax in my area. Now that the ROM I use has stabilized the WiFi driver/connectivity, its all I use. Heck, I have to use Wifi for the Roku app. My wife lost the Roku remote, so our Android phones are the Roku remotes now.

 

I've used my 3G/Wimax at home during power outages and speed tests.

 

If someone doesn't have reliable WiFi or their 3G/4G is faster/more reliable than the WiFi, then use it. But use it for legit, allowed purposed (IE not tethering your PC/Game Console/Media Streamer/etc).

I think it will all be a moot point once the dust settles and the network matures. Once the majority of NV sites are upgraded and users become accustomed to seeing the benefits of it...I think the majority of the bandwidth being used (speed tests, netflix, YouTube, etc.) will go down. At least that's what I'm predicting.

 

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[jefbal99]

I think it will all be a moot point once the dust settles and the network matures. Once the majority of NV sites are upgraded and users become accustomed to seeing the benefits of it...I think the majority of the bandwidth being used (speed tests, netflix, YouTube, etc.) will go down. At least that's what I'm predicting.

 

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I disagree 100% with that. Once users start getting LTE devices in their hands and realizing the speed and how easy it is to do things, I think the mobile device usage will go up even further. The only thing that will go down is the speed test data.

 

Joe Schmoo realizes that with 8mbs down he can easily stream youtube/netflix while on the can at work. Why read fark, when I can laugh at a video. Rather than play a game on the mobile device, I'll stream hulu plus or watch espn, because I can.

 

This new, faster network is only going to encourage your average user to consume more data, hence the need for wifi offloading when its available.

[leozno1]

I disagree 100% with that. Once users start getting LTE devices in their hands and realizing the speed and how easy it is to do things, I think the mobile device usage will go up even further. The only thing that will go down is the speed test data.

 

Joe Schmoo realizes that with 8mbs down he can easily stream youtube/netflix while on the can at work. Why read fark, when I can laugh at a video. Rather than play a game on the mobile device, I'll stream hulu plus or watch espn, because I can.

 

This new, faster network is only going to encourage your average user to consume more data, hence the need for wifi offloading when its available.

 

I think that the instances that those situations you outlined would be few and far in between just because when I'm at work I can't sit here and watch Hulu plus or ESPN on my phone (I mean I can, but I wouldn't be very productive)

[jefbal99]

 

I think that the instances that those situations you outlined would be few and far in between just because when I'm at work I can't sit here and watch Hulu plus or ESPN on my phone (I mean I can' date=' but I wouldn't be very productive)[/quote']

 

I must work in some bad offices then. People slack off all the time. I'm never shocked to find people watching YouTube, espn, Netflix, etc...

 

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[bookertdub]

Here's my 2 cents on the debate. I always use residential WiFi wherever I can (provided I have the ability to access it. I feel that by using the residential WiFi, the response time would be better and there is a noticeable increase in battery life when using WiFi. Now where I work, (which is at a hotel), we have WiFi for our guests, which any one can use. Our WiFi infrastrcture is so shoddy, that our speeds vary wildly during certain times of day. (I think our problem is that our hotel uses AT&T DSL). Our WiFi speeds range from 0.5mbps to a max of 4mbps download. The huge part of problem is that latency can be high (even during the max speeds). Whereas with 3G where I work, I get about 3 of 6 bars, however I get a far more consistent user experience especially when it comes to video streaming. I hope it doesn't make me a bad person, because I do try to use WiFi as much as possible when at work until it craps out. I should also point out that I do try to use public WiFi whenever I'm out and about on certain conditions. Those condtions are: a) ability to access WiFi without having to pay for it, the speeds are good enough for what I need, and c) if I feel that the WiFi is safe. For the record, where I live, I don't have 4G Wimax or LTE (I hope San Diego gets LTE, vecause I was bummed we didn't get WiMax), but even if I had WiMax or LTE, I will use the WiFi to help Sprint maintain their unlimited offerings and be courteous to fellow Sprint customers.

 

 

PS> I do have Sprint Conections turned off, because I don't want my phone connecting to any unauthorized WiFi networks, but do make the effort to toggle on & off the Wifi feature on my phone where I know I can get WiFi.

 

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[kct1975]

Here's my 2 cents on the debate. I always use residential WiFi wherever I can (provided I have the ability to access it. I feel that by using the residential WiFi, the response time would be better and there is a noticeable increase in battery life when using WiFi. Now where I work, (which is at a hotel), we have WiFi for our guests, which any one can use. Our WiFi infrastrcture is so shoddy, that our speeds vary wildly during certain times of day. (I think our problem is that our hotel uses AT&amp;amp;T DSL). Our WiFi speeds range from 0.5mbps to a max of 4mbps download. The huge part of problem is that latency can be high (even during the max speeds). Whereas with 3G where I work, I get about 3 of 6 bars, however I get a far more consistent user experience especially when it comes to video streaming. I hope it doesn't make me a bad person, because I do try to use WiFi as much as possible when at work until it craps out. I should also point out that I do try to use public WiFi whenever I'm out and about on certain conditions. Those condtions are: a) ability to access WiFi without having to pay for it, &amp;lt;img src='http://s4gru.com/public/style_emoticons/&amp;lt;#EMO_DIR#&amp;gt;/cool.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://s4gru.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /&amp;gt; the speeds are good enough for what I need, and c) if I feel that the WiFi is safe. For the record, where I live, I don't have 4G Wimax or LTE (I hope San Diego gets LTE, vecause I was bummed we didn't get WiMax), but even if I had WiMax or LTE, I will use the WiFi to help Sprint maintain their unlimited offerings and be courteous to fellow Sprint customers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;PS&amp;gt; I do have Sprint Conections turned off, because I don't want my phone connecting to any unauthorized WiFi networks, but do make the effort to toggle on &amp;amp; off the Wifi feature on my phone where I know I can get WiFi.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sent from my GT-P5113 using Tapatalk 2

<br /> Edited October 21, 2012 by kct1975

[bookertdub]

<br />

Am I missing something here?

 

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[kct1975]

Am I missing something here?

 

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Nope....my post got deleted.

 

KCT - "No Matter Where You Go, There You Are!"

 

 

[owensri2]

If you are at home and you have a good Wi-Fi connection, then you most certianly should offload data onto it. There is no need to congest the mobile network with unnecessary connections that could be used otherwise. No if, ands or buts about it!.......... There really isn't a debate here to be honest. You most definitely shouldn't be using the network for your main ISP unless there isn't any other options, and in an approved way, such as mobile hotspots or tethering through your phone with a TETHERING PLAN!

 

Sorry if I seem blunt here, but unauthorized tethering just makes for a worse experience for others....

[picciloplayer]

I'm glad to see a healthy debate , but I don't see anywhere where Sprint is promoting customers to offload data off there network. It seems to me that unlimited data is wjat they are using as their greatest selling point right now, and I guess if some people think that tethering and the likes are going to bring Sprint to its knees and all of it's towers crashing to the ground then I say start preparing for doomsday now.. as for me I'll let Sprint handle all the buisness end it's their network to control and I will continue to use my unlimited plan on my device and if Sprints deal isn't the best then it will be time yo move on... until then burn the megs if you got 'em.....Cheers

[tybo31316]

I'm glad to see a healthy debate , but I don't see anywhere where Sprint is promoting customers to offload data off there network. It seems to me that unlimited data is wjat they are using as their greatest selling point right now, and I guess if some people think that tethering and the likes are going to bring Sprint to its knees and all of it's towers crashing to the ground then I say start preparing for doomsday now.. as for me I'll let Sprint handle all the buisness end it's their network to control and I will continue to use my unlimited plan on my device and if Sprints deal isn't the best then it will be time yo move on... until then burn the megs if you got 'em.....Cheers

 

Sprint sends me countless emails about using WiFi more often and how it saves battery and the whole nine but my WiFi at home is faster than what sprints lte will be supplying so I'm going to be using WiFi.

 

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[DaQue]

Where Im until the first of the month (and for the last year) the Wifi (capped at 0.5Mbps max) was half the speed of 3G and a tiny fraction of what I got on the WiMax EVO I used to have so I didn't use it. Latency was awful until recently going from 300ms to a few seconds at random. It figures that when I finally move things start getting better internet wise. The problem is they ended a long term logging plan and the rent is going up about 25%. Next Saturday the home WIfi in the new place will be my router hooked to 30Mbit cable and the Note 2 tops out at 1Mbit on a good day. So its pretty safe I bet I will off load then. People will do what ever gives the best results.

 

I'm kiind of excited about the move. I have to get everything for the apartment but with all the utilities I will still save a couple hundred over a month over what I pay now before the increase. I also go from 18 channels and SD TV to 56 cable channels included in the rent. I found a 32" 1080P LED Samsung TV on sale at Best Buy that I love the picture on and have a bed located but thats it. I guess I need to get a card table to put the TV and router on LOL.

[WiWavelength]

I'm glad to see a healthy debate , but I don't see anywhere where Sprint is promoting customers to offload data off there network. It seems to me that unlimited data is wjat they are using as their greatest selling point right now, and I guess if some people think that tethering and the likes are going to bring Sprint to its knees and all of it's towers crashing to the ground then I say start preparing for doomsday now.. as for me I'll let Sprint handle all the buisness end it's their network to control and I will continue to use my unlimited plan on my device and if Sprints deal isn't the best then it will be time yo move on... until then burn the megs if you got 'em.....Cheers

 

So, basically, your attitude is "I'm gonna use as much as I want. I don't care about the experience for other users or sustainability for the provider. And I don't care if I am part of what causes the business model to fail. I'll just move on to whatever else will allow me to abuse it."

 

I am impressed. That is very far sighted and mature of you. Are you the piccolo player in a high school band?

 

(Note that I know how to spell "piccilo.")

 

AJ

[picciloplayer]

Abuse ? What abuse are you talking about ? I am just using my device and data connection as I always have , nothing illegal or under handed. I'm not sure who appointed you to decide how oftem or when someone uses something that payed for to access. I guess you know better than Sprint does on how to run their network and buisness....thanks for your accusations and assumptions , I guess you get to decide why my screen name is spelled the way it is and what it means....

[lynyrd65]

When will it end?!

[picciloplayer]

Sprint sends me countless emails about using WiFi more often and how it saves battery and the whole nine but my WiFi at home is faster than what sprints lte will be supplying so I'm going to be using WiFi.

 

Emails about offloading data ? Or just saving battery ? Two different things ya know ,I also didn't mention anything about being home...

 

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[WiWavelength]

Check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation, not to mention, your attitude, "picciloplayer."

 

If if it looks like an idiot, writes like an idiot, it probably is an...

 

AJ

[tybo31316]

It doesn't matter they are talking about offloading or saving battery. You and I both know that sprint wants to offload the average user isn't going to understand that but the average user does understand saving battery.

 

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[picciloplayer]

I'm confused , why are you being rude ? I gave my opinon . I'm sorry if it differs from yours , you chose to reply directly to me . You accused me of some sort of abuse , I don't do anything but use my phone when I want . I have never been reprimanded by Sprint for any abuse or otherwise missuse of their service . As fars as the screen name "Piccilo" is a last name . Sorry if that did not occur to you , so enough with the personal attacks. Thank you.

Edited November 26, 2012 by picciloplayer

[WiWavelength]

picciloplayer, I did come on a bit strong, and for that, I apologize. But at least one of your previous posts (see the quote below) essentially excuses abuse of "unlimited" data and runs counter to the editorial policy of S4GRU. We are highly enthusiastic about Network Vision; for that reason; we will not countenance members advocating taking advantage of Sprint or violating the Ts and Cs.

 

...and I guess if some people think that tethering and the likes are going to bring Sprint to its knees and all of it's towers crashing to the ground then I say start preparing for doomsday now.. as for me I'll let Sprint handle all the buisness end it's their network to control and I will continue to use my unlimited plan on my device and if Sprints deal isn't the best then it will be time yo move on... until then burn the megs if you got 'em...

 

AJ

[picciloplayer]

No I most certainly did not . That is your interpretation of my words , I do not condone missuse . I believe that some are caught up with conspiracy theroy that a few avid users will bring down the plans and network which I for one simply do not believe .

[picciloplayer]

If you are talking about my ...burn 'em if you got 'em phrase ... I simply meant if you pay for the service then use it , don't be scared to ... Nothing more nothing less...

Edited November 26, 2012 by picciloplayer

[pyroscott]

No I most certainly did not . That is your interpretation of my words ' date=' I do not condone missuse . I believe that some are caught up with conspiracy theroy that a few avid users will bring down the plans and network which I for one simply do not believe .[/quote']

 

It is proven in these forums that the network cannot sustain everyone "burning them if you have them." Did you bother to read this entire discussion? Or just jump in at the end and insert the same ignorant viewpoint that was proven to be selfish and irresponsible long ago?

 

Bottom line: if you can offload to wifi, you should.

[picciloplayer]

So you're saying there can not be a debate or opposing views ? Name calling is not needed. Thanks..

Edited November 26, 2012 by picciloplayer

[keelerman8042]

I think its time to read the rulez..... http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1197-s4gru-posting-guidelines-aka-the-rulez/.... Like Scott said if you can offload to WiFi I want to keep my unlimted plan as many others do 2