This guide answers some common data-related issues experienced by plan.com users, including data access, slow data speed, and issues while at home, roaming or while tethering.
What is data?
When you're using your device but not connected to Wi-Fi, like when you're out and about, you're probably using mobile data. Whether you're calling, messaging, browsing the internet or using an app, mobile data has got you covered as long as you're in a place with mobile signal – be it 5G, 4G, or even 3G.
Most of our mobile tariffs offer a certain amount of data that is usually measured in gigabytes, or GBs. You might even have unlimited data, although you must be sure to understand our fair usage policies while at home or abroad.
How much data do I need?
Trying to figure out how much data you might need? Here's a simple breakdown but please remember – these are just estimates; (based on streaming media at 720p)
With 1GB per month, you can roughly:
- Browse the internet for 11 hours
- Send 16,000 emails without attachments, or 300 with attachments
- Download 17 songs
- Watch 40 minutes of TV
With 3GB a month, you might:
- Surf the web for 33 hours
- Send 50,000 emails without attachments, or 1,000 with attachments
- Download 50 songs
- Enjoy 120 minutes of your favourite TV shows
And if you go with 30GB a month, you should be able to:
- Browse for 330 hours
- Send 500,000 emails without attachments, or 10,000 with attachments
- Download 500 songs
- Watch 20 hours of TV
How do I track my data usage?
Tracking your data usage is easy with my.plan. Simply log in to my.plan.com on your phone or computer and visit the Usage module. If you have a Gold subscription, you can view your usage by categories such as social media or streaming media (films, TV, music). With a Platinum subscription, this goes even further and breaks usage down into the services you access, such as Facebook, YouTube or email platforms.
Data Access Bars
In some cases, you may experience barred data access or no data access when roaming. This could be due to several reasons:
- Device settings: Incorrect or outdated network settings on your device might also affect your data access.
- Roaming: Roaming might limit data access due to the different policies of foreign carriers. If you're missing calls or texts, there might be an issue with your device's network settings or you might be in an area with bad reception. Try restarting your device or moving to a location with better reception. If the issue persists, contact our support team at help@plan.com.
- Status of your account: If your bill is unpaid or your data access has been suspended due to exceeding your limit, you might lose data access.
You can view your current data usage in the my.plan portal.
- Login to your my.plan account.
- Open the Usage module from the top navigation menu.
- Use the service type buttons (Data, Voice, SMS) to select the type of service.
Running Out of Data
Running out of data can often cause a disruption in your daily activities. If you run out of data, you have two options:
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Purchase more data: You can buy a bolt-on in my.plan (one-off data add-on) to tide you over until your allowance refreshes
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Conserve your data: Manage your data usage more strategically by adjusting your settings, such as Wi-Fi assist, background app refresh, and auto-update apps.
If you go beyond the agreed tariff data limit on your account, you will still be able to access mobile data but it will incur additional charges, which are outlined on our pricing guide - https://guides.plan.com/pricing-guide/. However, if you have a Spend Limit on your account, your mobile data will be automatically blocked at the limit you choose.
Data Performance
You may sometimes experience slow data speeds or text latency issues. This could be due to network congestion, being in a poor coverage area, or your device not working optimally.
You can improve slow data speeds by:
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Updating your device to its latest software version.
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Closing apps running in the background.
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Restarting your device.
Tethering
Tethering (or hotspotting) your data allows you to share your device's data connection with another device. While it's a convenient feature, keep in mind that it can consume your data allowance more quickly.
Each device and operating system has its own mechanism by which to activate this feature, but it's typically in the device's Settings menu and called something like Tether or Hotspot and sometime Mobile Data Sharing.
Roaming
Roaming allows you to use your device abroad. However, it's important to note that some services might not work when roaming due to restrictions by the foreign carrier. If you're having issues making calls when roaming, consider checking your device's settings and restarting your device. If issues persist, contact our support team.
For more information about using your plan.com network device outside the United Kingdom, please see Roaming.