Managing Data Caps

It’s closing time at the all-you-can-eat mobile data buffet. More operators globally are moving away from unlimited data plans and moving towards tiered pricing with hard ceilings on the data available for you to use. These data caps leave consumers to wonder just how many times they can browse their favorite sites, read their email, or watch videos before getting hit with an overage charge for exceeding their plan’s limits. Manage your data plans wisely with these few tips:

1. Open the full email only if necessary. Open email attachments sparingly, if at all.
2. Manage your apps’ hunger for mobile data. Disable push notifications.
3. Consider using a smart mini browser, like Opera Mini. These keep you from downloading too much data to your phone.
4. Spotify is awesome, but use your locally-stored playlist when on the go.
5. Update and download apps over WiFi.
6. Consider using mobile-friendly webpages. Our research shows they shave off a significant amount of data that otherwise would count against your cap.
7. Turn off images when nearing your cap. Most browsers make it easy. In Opera Mini, just click Settings > Load Images.
8. Avoid HD video on YouTube when browsing on a mobile connection. Just 10 minutes of HD video per day fills a standard 2GB plan.