Packet Data Connection - Will I get charged?

[Bellared]

I disconnected it several times now and it keeps on connecting. Do the network providers charge for this? (I'm on 3) I've not downloaded any data so am I best just leaving it?

Is this a connection from a mobile phone, or using a USB dongle ?

(I've been using a USB dongle for coming up to 2 years now.)

What an idiot I am!

Sorry, Its from a phone.

Simply 'connecting' might not have a charge, but it would probably be even more helpful to identify the phone (so a check can be made on its capabilities) and the network (as different ones charge different amounts).

As a quick example, I have in the past used WAP access to read my e-mail (on a 3-5 year old Siemens phone on the Virgin Mobile network).

It used to cost me about 2p per connection (they charged some fee per kB of data). Later on, I switched to some other tariff on one of my SIMs/numbers and any connection costs me a fee (30p for the day). That would be fine if I wanted to check umpteen times a day, but previously I might check a few times for mail, once on the train into town, again while in town - maybe twice even, and then on train back.

So I may have spent 8p to 12p for all my needs (unless I needed to respond, often there was nothing important I needed to answer immediately). Now if I pick up the wrong phone, it would cost me a once only 30p but still 2x to 3x what I really wanted to spend. A "plus" for VM and a "minus" for (this, low-usage) customer. Result, I don't bother any more!

On VM and the Siemens phone this was called GPRS (general packet radio service) which sounds to be what you are using...

On the Siemens I found a menu option to 'enable' or 'disable' GPRS. Sounds like you may need to find that too !

Sorry have just seen you are using Three.

If you go online to Three.co.uk and check your account (my3.three.co.uk perhaps?) you may be able to check 'before' and 'after' credit amount to see if you have been charged, or get a list of charges if you have a contract.

I'm using Three but only for data so the 'balance' only shows me how many MB I have left... something like 14,857.000 remaining.

Thanks for replying. I've tried disconnecting it in the connection managre en it re-connects again. I've stopped checking my email on my phone and rarely use it for internet even though I've been told it is unlimited but of course I'll get charged for visiting most websites. Its a Sony Ericsson Satio. I've checked my3 and can only see the last bill but I most certainly will keep on checking.

What's "unlimited" ?

If internet access is unlimited (well, generous but not really 'unlimited') then you should not be charged for visiting web sites.

Have you been billed for things other than calls ? Perhaps you could just post any description and what the charges were (plus how much data they showed).

Obviously as I am not using the same phone and am not on similar contract, I can only comment on what's posted but maybe someone else on Three can compare.

Do you not have an option on My3 for it to show how much data traffic they have counted since last billing date ?

Another option if convenient is to go into a 3 Store if there is one in your nearest town.

Hello, I think I'll go into the store rather than ring them. I cant see on my allowance what they deem as unlimited internet. I'm going to get something in writing from them to so I know for definate what I'm entitled too. I did what you suggested and it said that I had used about £4.50 over by normal bill price. Unfortunately, it did not say what for! Arghh!

Hope they can sort it so you don't even have to pay that 4.50. If in doubt, switch it off until you have visited the store!