I’m trying to figure out whether it’s economically worthwhile for me to get a smartphone. Right now, I have a dumb phone with AT&T’s pay as you go plan, basically spending $25 every three months for rollover that generally builds up. 95% of the time, I don’t use my phone, preferring to use my iPad on public or Comcast WiFi and just do without the rest of the time, usually on my 30 minute bus ride from my stop to work.
However, the few times I’ve wanted mobile service, usually something related to driving directions or keeping in touch with family somewhere without WiFi, I’ve REALLY wanted it. Plus, my dumb phone doesn’t interact well with texts sent on smartphones, so I’m missing out there.
Now, Comcast has cell service, starting at 1 GB for $12 a month. Given the habits mentioned above, I’m considering it. But how do I determine if that one gig is enough for my normal everyday use (like I said, usually it’d be on bus rides and for the very occasional GPS use or phone call)? I have no idea how much data I would use in those cases. Anyone more knowledgeable than me in this kind of thing who can offer experience?
Things like navigation, email, basic web browsing use very little data. I use mine daily for these things, and my usage is never over 1Gb per month. Streaming video or downloading large files like audiobooks is what uses a lot of data, do these things only when connected to WiFi.
You can set up cellular data permission for each application separately to avoid some pitfalls. You can deny YouTube permission to use cellular data, for example, so that it simply won’t work unless you are connected to WiFi, in case you forget.
Comcast - Xfinity Mobile - is a good choice for people who don’t use much data. I switched from Verizon a year ago, and it saves me a bunch of money. It uses the Verizon network. I read that maybe it’s deprioritized relative to Verizon subscribers at busy times, but I have never noticed any difference, but I’m in New Mexico where there aren’t any people.
However Comcast mobile is not a stand-alone service. You MUST have Comcast home service & if you get fed up with their home service & want to switch to Fios, I-verse, or some other cable/ISP, there goes your mobile service.
However Comcast mobile is not a stand-alone service. You MUST have Comcast home service & if you get fed up with their home service & want to switch to Fios, I-verse, or some other cable/ISP, there goes your mobile service.
Yes, using the phone as a Hot Spot will burn into your data. In fact, even if you have 1GB with Unlimited Instagram or some kind of deal like that, you will actually burn out your 1GB if you use your Hot Spot to access Instagram on your computer instead of the phone. Those extra data deals only apply when accessing from your phone; not while acting as a hot spot.
If you primarily just need GPS, you can download entire areas for use without data. When you have wifi, download maps for your local area and anywhere you plan to go. That way, you can use the GPS without eating up your data. And it works without a data connection.
That’s what I was going to say. Obviously, optimise away all the bloat, but at the end of the day you can check precisely how much data you still need.
Naturally I too would guess that HD videos, music, and other multimedia would use the most data.
While Comcast may be the single largest cable/ISP provider in the country; they are far from the majority provider in the country. Depending upon were the OP lives what you’re suggesting might very well not be an option.
Even in your post, you’re not stating that you like them just that you don’t have any other option for an ISP. Would you continue with them if you had a viable alternative? ‘I use them because they’re a monopoly’ is not exactly a ringing endorsement.