Matt Miller Investigates Windows Phone 7 Data Issues

[Adan Galvan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zdnet.com/blog/cell-phones/are-windows-phone-7-high-data-usage-reports-carrier-and-device-specific/5280' target='_blank'>http://www.zdnet.com/blog/cell-phon...e-specific/5280</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>I read a couple of reports from <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/windows-phone-7-using-lots-of-3g-data-while-idle-even-on-wifi/">Engadget</a> and the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12152517">BBC</a> that some Windows Phone 7 devices seem to be consuming data at an extraordinary rate. I have been using Windows Phone 7 devices since <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/cell-phones/?p=4286">last July</a> and find this reported anomaly hasn't affected me with the HTC HD7 or Samsung test WP7 device.</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1294713594.usr681.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Matt Miller over at <a href="http://www.zdnet.com" target="_blank">ZDNET</a> has been looking into the reports of rogue data usage by Windows Phone 7. He has had zero issues while using both the HD7 and the Samsung Taylor on the T-Mobile 3G network. I have also been using the HD7 on T-Mobile and have had zero issues with data, so this could be isolated to AT&amp;T. Have any of our readers encountered any issues with extreme data usage? Microsoft is <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/microsoft-investigating-errant-windows-phone-7-data-use/" target="_blank">investigating</a> the issue but whether this is an AT&amp;T issue or caused by a rogue app only time will tell.</p>

[Fritzly]

I do use a WP7 on T-Mobile too and I do not see any anomaly. Said that I do not use neither FB nor any other of those "Big Brother "apps so popular nowadays (Orwell must be laughing in his grave). Could not these apps use a lot of data too? And what about "all is sync in the cloud" stupidity too? Keep uploading and sync pictures could also consume a lot of data as well.

[paschott]

I have had a Focus since day 1 and my wife has had one since about a week later. I haven't seen this issue on mine and I know I would have seen it on my wife's as she's on the lower AT&T plan. I have unlimited data, but must not have been using as much as I'd thought because I still barely break 200-300 on a heavy month. I use Facebook, Twitter, sometimes share pics, and upload that thumbnail picture to SkyDrive, but looking at daily usage, I don't upload lots of data. My wife doesn't either and I've got quite a few of the "feedback, where am I, etc" things turned on for her phone. I feel for those experiencing it, but so far have been immune.

Could be an app that's over-pulling or communicating. While the Marketplace has issues, it definitely isn't causing a problem with over-communicating or it would be far more widespread. (Hanging, slowing down, horrible search filtering - yes, but not too much data.) I also wonder if it could be some app or set of apps that uses more data than expected if tombstoned somehow in the background. I can't wait to hear the details on what's causing it, though. If it's an MS fix, maybe it will come out fast enough to force the carriers to release the first update. :) If it's a poorly programmed app, it will be a learning experience.

[Adan Galvan]

Thanks for the feedback guys! At the very least it's good to see Microsoft being responsive about bugs. Now if they can only fix all of the marketplace bugs.... I'm getting tired of having to reset my device everytime marketplace freezes up.

[cweeks]

HTC Surround on AT&T. I *think* I am experiencing this... I can only say *think* because it is so difficult to be sure on AT&T. It's nice of them, however, to send me a text telling me when I have gone over 65% of my data plan.

The thing is, though, that I am in range of WiFi most (or even all) of the day, and should almost never be using my data plan. This month I got the text about usage on the 6th day. Also, the last few days my phone has gone completely dead overnight when not on the charger even though there was plenty of battery left. Last night I turned on airplane mode and it made it through the night just fine... even though I left the WiFi on.

I have also discovered some apps will not run while the phone is in airplane mode... even those that should not need a continuous connection (Freda).

I'm beginning to think this might just be an AT&T-only thing. A shame, too, since I just re-upped for two more years.

*sigh*

[efjay]

HTC Surround on AT&T. I *think* I am experiencing this... I can only say *think* because it is so difficult to be sure on AT&T. It's nice of them, however, to send me a text telling me when I have gone over 65% of my data plan.

The thing is, though, that I am in range of WiFi most (or even all) of the day, and should almost never be using my data plan. This month I got the text about usage on the 6th day. Also, the last few days my phone has gone completely dead overnight when not on the charger even though there was plenty of battery left. Last night I turned on airplane mode and it made it through the night just fine... even though I left the WiFi on.

I have also discovered some apps will not run while the phone is in airplane mode... even those that should not need a continuous connection (Freda).

I'm beginning to think this might just be an AT&T-only thing. A shame, too, since I just re-upped for two more years.

*sigh*

Sounds more like an HTC thing, with the other issues you mention.

[Fritzly]

Sounds more like an HTC thing, with the other issues you mention.

I am not sure about being a HTC issue: I have a HD7 and I do not see it.

[Sven Johannsen]

The thing is, though, that I am in range of WiFi most (or even all) of the day, and should almost never be using my data plan.
AFAIK WiFi disconnects when your phone goes into standby, i.e. the screen shuts off when you aren't using it, lock screen active. That state does not stop things from wanting data, such as e-mail, tile updates, and anything you have authorized to run under lock screen. So, even sitting next to your WiFi access point you can still be largely pulling GSM data. This is corroborated by my T-Mobile web data log. All night long, plugged in and withing 2 ft of my AP at home, my HD7 is periodically snagging data. Unfortunately there is no power management utility in WP7 like WM, where I could say, if on external power shut the screen backlight off but stay connected, or any other option that could aleviate some of this.

Now I personally haven't had an excessive data issue, HD7 on T-Mobile, but I certainly am pulling GSM data when distinctly in a WiFi zone.

[cweeks]

This is exactly why I will be placing the phone in airplane mode every night before bed until some sort of fix is created. The best would be some way for the system to allow a forced WiFi vs. Data connection full time. Also, if there were some way to prevent programs from accessing data while the screen is locked would be nice.

[Fritzly]

This is exactly why I will be placing the phone in airplane mode every night before bed until some sort of fix is created. The best would be some way for the system to allow a forced WiFi vs. Data connection full time. Also, if there were some way to prevent programs from accessing data while the screen is locked would be nice.

I still do not understand why MS in its infinite wisdom decided that in order to charge the phone at night I have to keep it on........... Maybe another WP7 "innovation"..................

[Richard76]

Can you not hold down the power button to turn the phone off completely before charging it for the night?

[Fritzly]

Can you not hold down the power button to turn the phone off completely before charging it for the night?

Nope, at least you cannot using the HTC HD7, although I would assume that all WP7 devices behave in the same way.
No matter what when you connect the phone to charge the battery it boots up.

[Richard76]

Well I thought I had read that somewhere but I guess it didn't sink in relative to the phone polling for data all night when not being able to use a local AP.

This is a bit of a game-changer now that I have bought my son a Samsung Focus. Even though he has the 6 GB data plan, I think I will have to monitor his data usage very carefully. Hopefully, MS (or even a 3rd party) will come up with power/screen management upgrade that will take us back to what we have in WM 6 then.

[Sven Johannsen]

On my HTC HD7, and I expect all WP7 devices, in settings, under Cellular, are two switches, Data Connection, and 3G Connection. There are some other options on that screen, but those are on/off switches. I set those to off last evening and was still able to get mail, surf, and update apps via my home WiFi. I could receive phone calls as well. At noon today, I checked my TiMobile page and no data was used last night or this morning. Typically I get some periodic data use (even with wiFi on in the house, as it disconnects in standby).

So, you can turn the data connections off, and when within WiFi range still do everything you would expect and it doesn't affect the phone part. Bit of a pain to have to go into Settings>Cellular to set this, but it is an option to reduce data use when you don't want data use. Would be nice if some aspiring software company created some profile app that you could pin to start and create some No Cellular, No Data, etc. profiles that would be easy to select, or even automatic, based on Time of Day or calendar appointment,

[Richard76]

That's good to know Sven, thanks. Just so I understand it right.....so you have to set both of those switches to 'off'. And you can still use WiFi while the screen is on and you can get phone calls either way?

I just checked my son's data usage and from December 20th until today he has only used 132 MB. From December 20th until January 3rd, he was using an iPhone and then on January 3rd we activated his new Samsung Focus. There has been no difference in usage with either phone as we were not aware of the potential "data increase issue" until today. So based on what he has used son far, I think we should be ok.

I just wish M$ could catch up with Apple when it comes to WiFi connections and Bluetooth connections. As soon as I walk into my house with my iPhone, it automatically connects to my WiFi and will not disconnect until I either leave the house or turn it off. Same with Bluetooth. As soon as I start my truck, within 60 seconds I am connected to my JVC BT head unit.

With my several Windows phones, I guess the best word to describe them all is "flaky". Although my Touch Pro 2 is the best of all of them so far.

[cweeks]

I just wish M$ could catch up with Apple when it comes to WiFi connections and Bluetooth connections. As soon as I walk into my house with my iPhone, it automatically connects to my WiFi and will not disconnect until I either leave the house or turn it off. Same with Bluetooth. As soon as I start my truck, within 60 seconds I am connected to my JVC BT head unit.


Actually, my Surround already works this way just fine. It searches out and automatically connects to any AP in range within a few seconds. Bluetooth is just as fast and reliable.

I discovered the trick for turning off the data connection he other day but wasn't fast enough to post it here. Without that connection on I can still get email, web browsing, and even the Marketplace with WiFi. Even text messages come in fine since that does not use the data connection... But you do have to connect to get multimedia messages.

[Sven Johannsen]

That's good to know Sven, thanks. Just so I understand it right.....so you have to set both of those switches to 'off'. And you can still use WiFi while the screen is on and you can get phone calls either way?Yup. Pretty sure you do have to turn both off. One is for the higher speed data, 3G, and the other just data, Edge. Not sure if just setting data off would tell it you don't want any and include the 3G in the request. It actually might work that way. Turning off just 3G can have some benefits I believe in roaming situations where getting 3G would cause you to be roaming, but Edge would be available without it.

I don't have a problem with it connecting to WiFi, or BT for that matter. The WiFi just kicks off when sleeping. Don't know if needing some data doesn't take it far enough out of sleep to start WiFi, or the WiFi just doesn't come up fast enough, for these little data grabs. The screen certainly never comes on, and that is the only time I can tell if WiFi is really connected, without sitting and monitoring the AP via its web interface. I'm sure that was a decision debated at MS. Whether to leave WiFi on, a battery drain, when the device is otherwise not in use. Probably should be dependent on whether it is on external power at least. For the most part, like you, I haven't seen much difference in my iPhone data use and my WP7 data use, so possibly MS tests showed that turning off WiFi wasn't a big deal. Seems like there is something else going on here than a basic flaw. Something is demanding more data than it should be, and that is highlighting the WiFi disconnect 'feature'.