Average data usage in a phone plan is between 3GB and 6GB per month and rising fast. Typically, prepaid plans, which offer the best value at lower spend levels will charge between $25 and $30 for that sort of inclusion. With little else to pick between plan and network, data is the primary consideration factor for those in the market for a plan.
Most mobile phone users spend little time worrying about the amount of data they use, until they run out. Until this point, there have been few tools which help. Imagine an app, however, which helped you manage your data usage and which made surethat you do not exceed your plan’s data cap. Google beat you to it. They launched Datally, an app that helps you keep track of your data usage and puts you in control of where your data is going to. The data usage interface updates in real time and is divided per application.
Phone plans with limited mobile data allocations require, simply through their set maximum limits, that you priorities on how you use your data. Users have to ensure that enough is reserved for the important things, particularly as the end of the month draws near. Exceeding your data limits before the time allocation comes to an endnot only inconveniences you, but also presents the very real risk of incurring additional charges on your phone bill. It appears that Datally will put a stop to, or at least substantially reduce the incidence of this sort of annoying fee.
Understanding Datally
As you might expect, Datally is an app, provided free, by Google that puts your device itse;f at the centre of your data management. You’ll need to be running Android to use it.
The app is developed on the premise that data doesn’t have to be expensive, hard to control, and confusing. As a mobile data manager, Datally gives you more than one way to control the use of your data.
- Data Saver –You can save up to a third of your mobile data by simply controlling what each app is using. You can limit the data each app should use without interfering with your overall experience. The apps that are most important to you can get the lion’s share while the others can have lower data limits.
- Data Saver Bubble –By helping you see in real time what each app uses through front and centre controls, you can easily block data usage for specific apps if you find things are getting out of control.
- Data Usage Metrics –Your data usage history, trends and per app can be used to map your behaviour. By making these metrics available, Datally helps you understand your usage pattern.
- Personalised Recommendations–Datally is smart. It prompts you to turn on your data saver, shows you highlights of your usage, and when you are in an area that has Wi-Fi networks, it notifies you so that you can switch.
Down the line, as Google evolve the tool, Datally will incorporate features that provide for balance checking and data expiration reminders, as well as proactive data usage controls and warnings.
Again, as you’d expect, Google want and need access to your data to help you. To enable you to get the most value out of your mobile data, Datally requests certain permissions are enabled by the user, such as:
- Location – Understanding your location helps the app to show you nearby high-quality Wi-Fi networks and the directions on how to get there.
- Phone – Datally monitors the mobile data usage of your phone, but it doesn’t receive or make calls on your behalf.
- SMS – This permission allows the app to link with your SMS function to enable you find out your data balance with your carrier as well as receive SMS notification on how to save your data.
- VPN –For you to block unwanted data usage, Datally sets up a VPN service on your phone. The VPN is only meant for your phone and there are no any redirects of your internet traffic to any locations or servers.
To date, the app has been installed on more than a million devices. The only software requirements are that your phone should be running a more up to date version of Android. At the moment, any phone running the Google mobile Operating system, Version 5.0 and above is supported.
Why Data Usage is an Issue in Australia
The 2017 annual Mobile Consumer Survey by Deloitte solicited responses from 5,300 people, 2,000 of which were from Australia. The survey established what we already knew, that Australians frequently exceed their data caps. These frequent mobile plan excesses blow Australian bills out to the tune of $300m per year. The main causes behind the rise in data usage that led to this third of a billion dollars of extra profit for the telcos were instant messaging and video streaming.
Mobile broadband, too, is becoming an increasingly important alternative to fixed connection. Microsoft are working with their ecosystem partners to insert SIMs in to their laptops.
Many Australians are dissatisfied with the plans their carriers are currently providing them citing insufficient data allocations and slow speeds. With Datally, consumers will be able to allocate their data effectively based on their usage behavior. This will optimise their experience within their current plans.
It’s not unimaginable that software could optimize our plans across multiple devices, helping to reduce costs for mobile telecommunications which are already around 5% of the average family’s bills. At last, some of the power moves slightly in our favour. Or Google and Microsoft’s.
