Extreme extra data usage on 3GS with iOS5 :(

I have had a similar problem this weekend. It would seem (and my carrier is 100% sure of that) that I transfered over 600mb in 4 days.

Now, just to be clear, I jave a 500mb monthly data plan, I've had it for 2 years, and I only once (the first or second month I had it, call it excitement) went over 75% of my monthly limit. And now, I burst my limit in 4 days, on a weekend, where I am at home and on a WiFi. Great !

Of course, carrier won't acknowledge problems, as the data is coming from the phone, they have to assume it comes from me. And as I read here, Apple won't recognize the problem either ?

What are my options here? Turn off cellular data and still pay for it while not using it!?

Turning off the notifications, specifically the system notifications was the major fix for me. Occasionally I turn cellular data off, but I do monitor it now. It contributes to some unintentional data usage, but it's minor. And it's not the carrier's problem, it's something to do with the Apple iOS. Whether they were in cahoots with the carriers when designing, it, I wouldn't put it past either of them.

By default, not only are these ridiculous notifications turned ON, the visual indicator on the screen to show you they are being used, is turned OFF. I think that borders on being deceptive.

BTW the system notifications are also not obvious. To me they are hidden and you need to scroll through the window that has no visible indicator that there is any scrolling necessary.

A recent tip in Mac World worked for me. Seems ATT has been using software embedded in the in iOS5 that sends information to them about the usage of your phone. To turn it off: Settings>General>About>Diagnostics & Usage>Don't Send.

With my iphone4 I can now leave it on all the time with all these still on: location services, notifications (only what I use), cell data, wi-fi. So far this month I've used 51mb out of 200mb with 6 days left.

This is very interesting. Do you have those system services turned on? The ones that make sure you're still in the same time zone and know which way is north? Is 51MB realistic usage for you? I'm going to give this a try as soon as it's a little closer to the end of the month, just in case. It make sense though, thanks for sharing!

The system services I mentioned in the previous post are turned on. I turn off location services I don't use. I don't think all apps need to track me everyplace I go (especially when I don't even use the app). I use the Map app to find my way because I find ALL GPS apps to be worthless (directions are plain stupid at times). So, yes I have "which way is north" and the time zone options working all the time, but only on the apps I use. And 100mb seems more realistic. I read my emails on my iphone, but it's more efficient to use my computer for responding to email and finding information on the internet. That's just me. My time is more efficiently used on a computer for many things.

This whole topic really bothers me and I read where others have the same feelings. I am disappointed that when I called AT&T they denied they are doing anything that could cause the excess data usage. And now I've read in Mac World that AT&T indeed knows what they are doing and Apple is complacent by supplying the app hidden in iOS5.