Level 1

2 points

Unknown data usage early morning

With the changes to the data plans, i decided to look at my wifes data usage on her iphone. What i have found is odd and a bit concerning. Overall her data usage is pretty much nothing, except for something that occurs every morning around 1 or 2 am. I have included data usage on the AT&T account below. As you can see, something happens around 1 or 2 am every morning, i just dont know what it is. The amount of data being transferred is REALLY high if you ask me, as high as 75336KB back on the 17th. I called AT&T support and they said it was the phone updating or mail being downloaded, basically they have no idea. I have the mail set to fetch manually already. Anyway to determine what is going on???

06/04 01:22 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 3368KB
06/03 01:45 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 18906KB
06/02 01:45 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 6878KB
06/01 01:45 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 9460KB
05/31 07:45 PM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 1918KB
05/31 01:27 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 7551KB
05/30 02:27 PM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 1224KB
05/30 01:17 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 2685KB
05/29 01:39 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 8120KB
05/28 01:39 PM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 5410KB
05/28 01:07 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 5068KB
05/27 10:42 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 21778KB
05/27 01:06 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 10419KB
05/26 09:26 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 20657KB
05/26 01:50 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 8467KB
05/25 02:21 PM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 18086KB
05/25 01:25 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 5249KB
05/24 01:25 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 1012KB
05/23 01:25 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 12978KB
05/22 01:25 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 9749KB
05/21 01:41 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 19166KB
05/20 01:17 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 23860KB
05/18 11:56 PM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 15440KB
05/18 01:06 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 29900KB
05/17 01:12 AM phone Internet/MEdia Net Sent 75336KB

Posted on Jun 5, 2010 4:56 AM

2,094 replies

Nive7

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2011 11:10 AM in response to drumdudeguy

So, as I try to process all that's been said since my last post, let me put this forward. On a Friday I got the "You've used 60% of your data" warning text. I spent two days, Saturday and Sunday, in my home, hanging out, only leaving once, and not using my phone for anything beyond one or two calls while I went out. I have WiFi (through AT&T) in my home. So, on Monday at 11am, while at work, I got a "You've gone over your alloted data usage" text. My only conclusion is that something is using my 3G signal for data EVEN when I'm using my WiFi connection. If we assume the 12am data chunks listed in the billing statement aren't actually being sent at that time (I have a huge chunk sent on Friday night and Saturday night for this weekend in question) can we at least assume that the warning texts are being sent in a manner that accurately reflects approximately when we have used that amount of data?

Jan 30, 2011 12:44 PM in response to Nive7

WiFi is turned off to preserve battery life when the phone is not actively being used (i.e, on Standby). So any data transfers will go via 3G when on standby. I'm sure the billing warnings will match your usage as seen by AT&T (which may not be correct, but that's a different subject).

There are a lot of possibilities as to what is causing your usage. Email if the app is left open, or is set to Fetch or Push. Push uses a lot of data. Apps that use Notifications. Apps that run in background (which is not the same as apps in the Recently Used ribbon). An app can be in the ribbon and not run in background; this is actually the usual case. Killing an app that is in the ribbon does NOT necessarily kill its background process unless you reboot after killing it. Apps that consume a lot of data and that either use Notifications or background include content streaming apps, social networking apps (Facebook, Fring, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, etc), news apps (AP Mobile), Game Center and apps that use Location Services. This last you can check; if Location Services are in use an icon appears in the top bar.

Jan 30, 2011 2:16 PM in response to AnthonyNC

To everyone--- here is a post to a major pub. concerning phantom data usage:

"As evidenced by the trade show floor, the consumer electronics industry is going wireless, and the future success of this industry and our innovation future depends on whether our government acts quickly to unleash more spectrum -- the oxygen that sustains our mobile devices. We’re in the early stages of a mobile revolution that is sparking an explosion in wireless traffic. Without action, demand for spectrum will soon outstrip supply. To seize the opportunities of our mobile future, we need to tackle the threats to our invisible infrastructure. We need to free up more spectrum."

Someone needs to tell Chairman Genachowski that the phantom data usage being billed against customer accounts contributes to our bandwidth depletion in our "invisible infrastructure" because "Without action, demand for spectrum will soon outstrip supply."

# # #

Now here is a reply (person deals with Apple and Apple products from major pub):

"I DID see an article where Microsoft acknowledged that some software on its phones inadvertently generated absurd levels of data usage. Of course, there are so few WP7s in use that this would have a trivial effect on our nation's bandwidth, merely upon the users.

But your assertion that iPhones are at fault is strikingly absent of the first scrap of evidence, and I, who follow these things, think it is bunk. By indicting Apple, and by suggesting that the FCC is ignorant of a huge technical issue, you compound the impression that you are purely trolling.

Let's have some documentation. Or a retraction."

# # # (end of reply)

Jan 31, 2011 9:34 AM in response to cnpeyton

cnpeyton wrote:
Looks like it starting to get more attention...

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Sued-For-iPad-iPhone-Data-Over-Billing-11 2482

Thank you for posting the link.

Message was edited by: lightsp33d, "sending" -> "posting"

Jan 31, 2011 11:32 AM in response to lightsp33d

lightsp33d wrote:

cnpeyton wrote:
Looks like it starting to get more attention...

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Sued-For-iPad-iPhone-Data-Over-Billing-11 2482

Thank you for posting the link.

Message was edited by: lightsp33d, "sending" -> "posting"

I was just alerted to this by my wife...
Search Google for *"Associated Press" at&t unlimited data loophole*

Apparently this news broke late last week. I dont think I'd switch to Verizon for a million dollars but its possibly worth the bluff. And, maybe those of us who foolishly switched to 200MB plans, because we THOUGHT - from the AT&T graphs on their site, that we'd not go over 200MB, well maybe we can switch back without hassle.

As I've posted here many times, I am po'd that they charge ME to rectify their billing. That should never come out of that 200MB bucket. No where does it say that is how they do that (unless I missed some tiny print somewhere)?

Also, there is no way that a sick man can be using 52KB, on average, for the past week, at various times of the day. These times do NOT coincide with my phone call usage and they do not coincide with any data usage. As you can see from my many other posts, I've deleted all of my apps and contacts and turned everything that requests or sends data - OFF. They still suck data out of my phone. Its BS is what it is.

But, like I said, if I can get back what I had without hassle then I will. Then I will deal with the WHAT and WHY aspect of this because it is still information from my phone being sent to AT&T for God knows whatever reason (aside from billing we ASSUME)...

Nive7

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 7:49 PM in response to BackPacker57

Whatever the explanation ends up being, right now, the notions that are being offered as explanations are incompatible: IF the timestamps on the massive data chunks are not accurate, and that large number of KBs is an aggregate of the whole day or something, AND my phone is on 3G at night because it is in standby mode and saving battery, then the data usage shouldn't count against me, because I was on the WiFi in my home all day. IF the timestamps are accurate, then it explains why the large data chunks are pushing me over-- because I'm on the 3G network at that time while the phone is in standby mode. But then we are back to square one and are wondering who or what is using my phone to send data over the 3G network when I'm asleep? I need a padded wall so I can go beat my head against it without doing too much damage.

Feb 2, 2011 4:09 AM in response to Nive7

Imagine how "cnpeyton" feels!

Come on and laugh. This may end up being a comedy of errors (not on part of the users).

The AT&T advertised differentiator is "Simultaneous use" or "Two is better than one" ad campaign.
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/01/apple-airs-dual-att-verizon-iphone-ad-shows/

Maybe the two are one for billing purposes?

Ha! Another theory. Bring on the squishy room.

Feb 2, 2011 5:40 AM in response to cnpeyton

I think now given all I have read in the past 24hrs...we are all being duped. (see my post from yesterday about data use and my iphone) I love all the AT&T "help" that have told us they are unaware of such problems. That's called dishonesty to many customers. Once we all begin to doubt the system that bills for service, and they begin to ignor those concerns........well I hate to extrapolate...but I've had some strange power bills too...when away in a regular pattern mid summer. (normal in Florida) The power company has suggested my neighbor is "stealing" power. I don't think so! Not possible.
American businesses once were trusted. Our whole system depends on FAITH. Stay with this issue. People still rule.

kaluzu

Level 1

55 points

Feb 2, 2011 9:14 AM in response to JES42

so is this correction on individual basis? Do we now have to call AT&T and ask for the same? I hope not.
One would hope this is a system wide fix...but as we've seen, one cannot know what all AT&T is thinking...

Feb 2, 2011 6:03 PM in response to cnpeyton

Maybe the law suit filed on Monday against AT&T will motivate some action. I am checking my useage and find even now large data use at shortly after midnight! No way this is right. I have wi fi in next room and my iPad working fine (thankfully) not using 3G since I won't purchase the service. Too many of us have this problem. Expecting each person to call and hassle with AT&T is unacceptable. I know many many more have this issue and don't know it yet. How do we get this fixed. Articles in NYTimes, WallSt Journal, loads of messages here...and still no help or word on this from apple or AT&T ...? Painfully I am about to give up my iPhone over this.

Feb 2, 2011 6:32 PM in response to reading maven

Well I may just rerun to an old "cell phone". My iPad gives me everything I want with wifi and no monthly charges. I can save enough in no time to wean my husband off it and buy him an iPad. Phones will be for phoning. Wild idea but my old phone cost $15. Per month each. Now paying about $140.! Doesn't take long to do the math. I'd rather have this problem fixed, but I have watched this dialogue since last summer with no action or even admission of an issue from AT&T or Apple.

Feb 3, 2011 10:19 AM in response to BackPacker57

Thanks for the link. I really don't understand why we don't have more discussion of this on this site. I cannot believe there aren't more upset about major data usage (outgoing) when we, in fact are not using it. Together we could help one another solve this mystery. I am on track to use as much this month as last at least (39,000kb)! I watch no films, play no games, etc. I do open a couple news sites from time to time and check the weather, but since Christmas I do most of that on the ipad. And I am always at home where I have wifi. Still looking for the techy detective out there.

Feb 3, 2011 10:35 AM in response to reading maven

reading maven wrote:
Thanks for the link. I really don't understand why we don't have more discussion of this on this site.

There are almost 1200 messages in this thread. Everything that can be said HAS been said, dozens or sometimes hundreds of times. How much more discussion do you think there should be? Can you think of anything to say that hasn't been said already?

Feb 3, 2011 10:39 AM in response to JES42

Bingo. I know we all have our own theories on this forum, but I think JES42 nailed it. I believe this is an AT&T billing issue that is only happening to certain customers. The last time I talked to customer service representatives --which, quick piece of advice again: I always had the best luck calling Apple, getting to 2nd level service there, and had them call the higher level service over at AT&T. Never got beyond the lower level service when calling AT&T directly.

Anyway, last time I had the customer service reps from both Apple and AT&T on the phone, the AT&T guy DID admit that their technical department was aware of this problem, but didn't know why it was only affecting some customers. Maybe me pushing to that point got my name in the queue to solve the problem for me personally, because as I've reported in this forum before, my problems went away around the time I had this conversation and upgraded to iOS 4.2.1. I can't be sure which of those actions actually led to the solution, but I'm 23 days into my billing cycle and have only used 75 MB data. Yay normalcy!

I guess if they don't have a systematic way to determine who is affected, they can't figure out how to implement a more general fix? The whole thing still stinks, of course, and I know I'm one of the lucky ones at this point. I'd be curious if someone who is still having the issue were to get pushy with 2nd level AT&T customer service, and ask specifically to have the "maintenance bandwidth" fixed, whether that would work.

Message was edited by: magreen17

Feb 3, 2011 11:36 AM in response to magreen17

iOS 4.2.1 was more than likely to resolve your issue not the speech from AT&T because it contradicts the response AT&T made to the FCC.

I agree with you the whole thing stinks.

What say other users---- have you called AT&T and said the magic words, "Maintenance Bandwidth" needs fixing?

Wouldn't that be a hoot if it works (gets fixed) globally?

I'll make a jump over to the International end and take a peek.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Unknown data usage early morning