Vodafone 3G Android SCREWED Billing

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terence_fdes

terence_fdes

wizened Dinosaur
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hi guys - I need ALL the HELP u can give

Background:
HTC Wildfire S [purchased on 18/06/11]
Service Provider: Vodafone Mumbai
Used 2G services from 18/06 to 24/06 [Vodafone Live! Billing was Rs 281.50/-]
My Billing Cycle is from 25th to 24th of each month.
Activated 3G from 25/06 [Rs500 scheme with 500MB cap; 500 local & std mins & 500 sms]
My vodafone account today shows usage of Rs1841.20/- THIS IS JUST FOR 9 DAYS !!!!
My monthly calls average less than 200 mins & SMS varies from 200-400 per month.

MY CONCERN IS HAS ANYONE ELSE FACED SUCH SIMILAR PROBLEMS?
ON AN ANDROID DO WE NEED TO KILL ALL APPS THAT WHEN 2G/3G IS ACTIVATED - ALL THESE APPS RUN IN THE BACKGROUND & EAT UP BANDWIDTH?

QUERRIES:-
1. How did I run up a bill of Rs1841.20 in just 9 days!!!!

2. 3G Watchdog app [installed on 02/07 shows a Total of 12.47MB used] Mobile Internet Usage [start date reconfig to 25/06 not really accepted]

3. Call Meter 3G shows [start date reconfigured to 25/06]
Data In/Out as 177.06MB

4. What is the Indicator on a cell-phone when one accesses 2g/3g services - Mine shows E/H/G depending on my location and network [Is this E=Edge services; H=HSDPA -enhanced 3G & G=Pure 3G]? On what basis am I billed if I have opted for a 3G scheme when for over 90% of the time my cell shows just "E" - Edge services.

5. From 18/06 to 20/06 I was using the built in 2GB card from 21/06 I changed to an 8GB card. During this period I had installed Angry Birds; Opera Browser & a few htc skins - which after changing the card I had to re-install all the apps again.

6. I have installed "Open Advanced task Killer" on 02/07 and this lists the following after my menu resetting
ENABLED APPS
Advanced Task Killer Free
Voice Search
Messages
Call Meter 3G
3G Watchdog

DISABLED APPS
YouTube
Maps
News
Google Search
Music
Internet
Market

Apps that do not show here but which my daughter uses:-
Angry Birds - Rovio
Angry Birds Seasons - Rovio

7. LASTLY - I have watched YouTube just once for 3 mins. No other major downloads. I synched all my contacts to htc sync on Facebook & Google. My daughter plays Angry Birds [do some of it's games go online??????]. Other apps that I have are BBC news; Bubble Blast2 [game]; Catholic One Bible app; Dictionary; Google Sky Map; IMDb; Identity in Christ [Daily Bible quotes]; Latitude; Places; Quick Office [but no files as yet on my phone]; US Army Survival; Weather; Wiki Encyclopedia.

SO WHERE AND HOW IS MY BANDWIDTH GETTING CONSUMED????

PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND or Else I will start to hate Androids & Vodafone [for sure].
 
Its difficult to arrive at a specific point here. Have you installed any app which has auto update feature enabled from the net?

E/H/G - edge/hspda/gprs

Have you configured email on your cell?

I had done that on my cell and daily some times it tries to sync with the net & my edge gets activated for no reasons, then i have to disconnect it manually. I tried to edit the advanced settings but my cell says its read-only. So daily it happens to me at 11:30am & i do what i said.

Also, watch out for your syncs, if its automated then it may be running in the background. Its better you use some offline tool for sync & not any online service.

Some games ask for net connections when they start, if your daughter accidentally accepts it and then continues the game, then chances are bright here for the anonymous net usage.

My personal suggestion is to buy another prepaid card and use it for net purpose. :)

M also a postpaid vodafone customer & use my cell strictly for calling & just local messaging.

For sms benefits i recently bought another sim from docomo & it serves much more than my purposes + i get free 1gb net. :cool2:
 
same thing happend with my friend using iphone.. vodafone ppl charged him 1400 just for gprs usage..his actual phone bill shud b arnd 350.. he got his card converted prepaid n activated 2gb pack @ Rs 99
 
I am assuming you are checking your unbilled amount?

If yes, then that is not the right way to judge your bill amount for the next cycle since I believe you are charged for 3G usage on a "per KB" basis for now and when your bill is generated, they will deduct 500 MB from your usage, so all amount charged towards 3G would go away from the final bill!
 
Pat said:
I am assuming you are checking your unbilled amount?
If yes, then that is not the right way to judge your bill amount for the next cycle since I believe you are charged for 3G usage on a "per KB" basis for now and when your bill is generated, they will deduct 500 MB from your usage, so all amount charged towards 3G would go away from the final bill!
Click to expand...
This seems to make perfect sense. See below.

terence_fdes said:
3. Call Meter 3G shows [start date reconfigured to 25/06]
Data In/Out as 177.06MB
Click to expand...
177.06 x 1024 = 181309.44 kb, if your unbilled usage is charged as per 1p/kb then, you'll be charged 181309.44 paisa or 1814 INR. So yes Pat seems to be right, just call up CC and confirm the same.
 
Thanks for your replies so far..... I will gather these observations and gear up for my battle with Vodafone.

@Pat - u give me some consolation BUT I hope u r right

@ronit & Girish - U are advising "prepaid" BUT then isn't this just EDGE services and Not 3G.
I have strongly instructed my daughter NOT TO click on any setting to activate online - she's just 9 years young !!!

I have not activated any email services as yet. AS I said earlier - I had synced all my Contacts to Facebook and Google ONLY. My Google map location also is disabled!!!

I am a Vodafone Postpaid customer.

I just paid up my earlier bill of Rs 576.29 of which Rs 281.50 was for Vodafone Live! and right now my "Total Outstanding" shows up as Rs1841.10/- [3 hours back it was Rs1841.20!!!!] - as I said earlier THIS IS JUST FOR 9 DAYS USAGE.

I really need to read up and sort out as much as possible on Techenclave about similar problems and what are the solutions?

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

@Pat & Arun - U guys are Driving me Crazy.

What does "Unbilled Amount Calculation Mean" and "WHAT IS THE ACTUAL BILLING THEN???"

I still do not understand this calculation Arun which actually accurately spells out Rs1814/-
177.06 x 1024 = 181309.44 kb, if your unbilled usage is charged as per 1p/kb then, you'll be charged 181309.44 paisa or 1814 INR. So yes Pat seems to be right

CALLING UP VODAFONE CC IS TORTURE - And apart from having to pay them for this clarification [customer care average call takes 10-16 minutes]

SHOULD I CONTINUE USING MY NET SERVICES BECAUSE as per Aruns calculations if I use up 500MB - then 500 X 1024= 512000 kb so @ 1ps/kb this would amount to 512000 paisa or Rs 5120/- SUICIDAL

@PAT - Where & How would Vodafone "and when your bill is generated, they will deduct 500 MB from your usage, so all amount charged towards 3G would go away from the final bill!"

I JUST CANNOT COMPREHEND THIS LOGIC......PLEASE HELP ME GUYS
 
^ This happens many a times that whatever you get in unbilled usage is considered as per default tariff in Postpaid. Now I've been away from Vodafone since ages so I don't know for certain how they work, but a similar pattern of showing unbilled usage exists in Tata indicom as well. (Free calls are also considered and free net usage is also considered in Tata walky when requesting unbilled usage, but waived off from final bill when bill is generated). In short, IINM the packs are not considered when unbilled usage is shown. They're adjusted when final bill is generated. So if what we're saying here is right, then you should not worry at all, but I can't be certain if we're right or not.

As per your unbilled usage amount and your 3G watchdog stats, its obvious the tariff considered here is the default which is 10p/10kb. Your calculation for 500mb is spot on. Now this could mean either the case we're considering or that your 3G pack is not active at all. We can only speculate, only way to confirm for sure is from CC or visit their gallery.

If any vodafone postpaid user is here, they could confirm the same.
 
A similar thing happened with me on Vodafone in December 2009.

I was on VMC 2G plan UL @ 299/month. It was the first month when i'd activated the plan and bill came Rs. 2015/- something. Which was normal since I used to make lotsa STD calls to my gf. A discrepancy in bill was that the plan i'd taken was Rs. 299 and I was charged Rs. 399 i.e Rs. 100 extra. I complained on 111 and they said they'll look into the matter and after a few days i forgot about it.

A week later, I recd a call from vodafone local office that can they send an agent to collect bill amount. I asked whats d amount she said Rs. 110. Yes! Rs. Hundred and Ten..! I was shocked!

She told me due to a certain discrepancy in the bill, I was given a waiver of Rs. 1800/-...............!!!!

So, try to complain and even escalate the complaint to the zonal officer. If still doesn't work and you want to go the legal (court) way, PM me, i'll guide you how is it possible to resolve the matter quickly
 
terence_fdes said:
@PAT - Where & How would Vodafone "and when your bill is generated, they will deduct 500 MB from your usage, so all amount charged towards 3G would go away from the final bill!"

I JUST CANNOT COMPREHEND THIS LOGIC......PLEASE HELP ME GUYS
Click to expand...

The current amount which you are seeing is the outstanding amount. Whatever offers/packs/free calls/sms/data usage etc etc you get is calculated AFTER the bill is generated and deducted at the end.

Though the amount does seem to be a little high, I would suggest to wait till your bill gets generated or call the CC for help.

Also since you have activated the 3G plan mid month, you won't get complete 500mb free. The amount of free data you get will be calculated according to the number of days the 3G plan was activated.
 
Thanks to Pat again and the rest of the guys [I pray and hope that Vodafone readjusts my Final Bill]. I shall call up and check the same with their CC.

@spawnfreak - Thanks for the procedural advice. I shall follow it.

@viralbug - Activation was done at the start of my plan 25th of June [I had called them up on the 23rd]. I have an sms from them dated 25/06 stating that my 3G plan is activated "Vodafone Mobile Connect"

NOW MY OTHER QUERRIES REMAIN
What is the Indicator on a cell-phone when one accesses 2g/3g services? - Mine shows E/H/G depending on my location and network [Is this E=Edge services; H=HSDPA -enhanced 3G & G=Pure 3G]?

WHAT DO I DO When for over 90% of the time my cell shows just "E" - Edge services? Does it make sense at all to pay for 3G when the access is hardly there?
 
^^The indicators are as you have mentioned above. Also from bit of personal experience i have found that even 2G vodafone (i.e. EDGE) are having good speeds for normal browsing and sync and all. So in your case when you are not in 3G network most of the times then it is better to go with 2G plans rather than paying an arm and a leg for 3G. Another thing you can try if you do want to use 3G only is that force your phone in WCDMA mode and it will only stay active on 3G network but that has its disadvantages like no connectivity in some areas where 3G is not at all available and at that time you will need to switch back to 2G mode or the 2G/3G mode.
 
For once try using the EDGE network and check your speeds on downloads. I think there is a mobile app version of speedtest.net as well. If you are satisfied with the speeds then consider using EDGE. If its not good enough, check other providers as well in your area (ask some neighbors with different SIMs) and see what download speeds you get. Use MNP to switch to another provider then.
 
MHG said:
Use MNP to switch to another provider then.
Click to expand...
I was with Dolphin for 7 years and since March-2011 ported to Vodafone. I shall wait for another 2 months to see how things go and hopefully I will not be RAPED till then :-0
 
terence_fdes said:
Thanks to Pat again and the rest of the guys [I pray and hope that Vodafone readjusts my Final Bill]. I shall call up and check the same with their CC.

@spawnfreak - Thanks for the procedural advice. I shall follow it.

@viralbug - Activation was done at the start of my plan 25th of June [I had called them up on the 23rd]. I have an sms from them dated 25/06 stating that my 3G plan is activated "Vodafone Mobile Connect"

NOW MY OTHER QUERRIES REMAIN

What is the Indicator on a cell-phone when one accesses 2g/3g services? - Mine shows E/H/G depending on my location and network [Is this E=Edge services; H=HSDPA -enhanced 3G & G=Pure 3G]?

WHAT DO I DO When for over 90% of the time my cell shows just "E" - Edge services? Does it make sense at all to pay for 3G when the access is hardly there?
Click to expand...
You can disable data from Settings -> Wireless Networks -> Mobile Networks -> Data Enabled = False!

Another thing you can try is installing DroidWall and disable all apps from accessing internet when you are not on Wifi (or selectively allow apps to do that)! This would save you a lot of bandwidth!

Also, G means GPRS, E means Edge and H means HSDPA (enhanced 3G, in normal cases it shows up as 3G on the status bar!)
 
OP Dont worry about the billing problem they will reset it... I had a similar fear when they had just act 3g in mumbai and were givin it free for a week or so... enabled it on my phone and used it for about 5-6 days.... One day just checked unbilled usage and it showed 7k+... got scared and prayed would not be billed for that but when the bill came got it in the normal range only... So dont worry ur bill wont be huge atleast till u are within the 500mb limit.
Regarding the nw: Vodafone has not gone complete 3G in all citites. It think now mumbai has become 3g totally.... But if u are outisde than u will face some issues regarding 3g till they have complete cove. If u are getting E signal than it is edge and you should drop the 3g plan and use the normal plans of vodafone,.... Do not call the CC and ask them about these plans cause they will just bluntly deny it and tell u ur infot is wrong.... So go to vodafoen stor eand get it active or calll 198 (I think) not sure and just say u being billed a lot for data and u would want to port to airtel that has that 99Rs/2GB plan... They will get that plan active on ur phone...
 
terence_fdes said:
Thanks to Pat again and the rest of the guys [I pray and hope that Vodafone readjusts my Final Bill]. I shall call up and check the same with their CC.

@spawnfreak - Thanks for the procedural advice. I shall follow it.

@viralbug - Activation was done at the start of my plan 25th of June [I had called them up on the 23rd]. I have an sms from them dated 25/06 stating that my 3G plan is activated "Vodafone Mobile Connect"

NOW MY OTHER QUERRIES REMAIN
What is the Indicator on a cell-phone when one accesses 2g/3g services? - Mine shows E/H/G depending on my location and network [Is this E=Edge services; H=HSDPA -enhanced 3G & G=Pure 3G]?

WHAT DO I DO When for over 90% of the time my cell shows just "E" - Edge services? Does it make sense at all to pay for 3G when the access is hardly there?
Click to expand...
Ah ok got confused a bit with your post there.

G=GPRS
E=EDGE
H=HSDPA

IMO it doesn't make sense at all if 90% of the time you're getting Edge speeds only. It's better to stick with the cheaper edge plans.
 
@OP dont worry bout that unbilled amount.

I have the Rs.850 for 3GB plan and the unbilled amount for this month is 29k (yep its 29k :P) but billed amount would be like 1.2-1.5k, cuz 3Gb data transfer would be deducted from that unbilled amount.
 
On the iPhone...
When you see o : GPRS
When you see E : EDGE
When you see 3G : Obviously 3G

For HSDPA, i think only 3G symbol is there on the iPhone
 
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