Mobile data

Mobile data is the data included when you purchase SIM only plan, pay as you go SIM or mobile broadband. You need a certain amount of mobile data to browse and use services and features that require an internet connection.

Why do you need mobile data?

Mobile data is needed to access the internet when you do not have access to WiFi. But exactly how much mobile data you need depends on how often you use the internet and what you do when you are online. Today, there are very few SIM only plans that come without any data. You can almost always access the internet, even if the amount of data is very low. With a pay as you go SIM, however, you have more control over your data, with the choice of not including data at all.

Info! Mobile data is measured in gigabytes (GB). Currently, the amount of GB available is the only difference between a provider’s various plans. The larger the amount of data you choose, that is, the more GB, the higher the price will be.

However, it can be useful to have a certain amount of data on hand. For example, some data is needed for the mobile to perform essential security updates. You also need internet access if you need to look up an address or a phone number.

Is there a difference between mobile data and WiFi?

Both mobile data and WiFi allow you to browse the internet, but they work in slightly different ways. When you use mobile data, your device connects to the network, such as a 4G or 5G network. Mobile data can be used anywhere there is network coverage, and when you use mobile data, it consumes the data allowance included in your plan. 

However, if you use a WiFi network, the device instead receives signals from a router. Many people, for example, pay for broadband at home and then create a WiFi network in their home using a router. You then pay separately for the broadband, and when you use WiFi with, for example, your phone, none of the mobile data included in the SIM only or pay as you go SIM is consumed.

How to check your mobile data usage?

You can monitor your mobile data usage in several ways, and it’s sensible to keep track of how much data you use each month. This is valuable information to have if, for example, you are about to change your subscription type or are getting a completely new subscription or pay as you go SIM and need to decide how much data should be included.

In the phone’s settings

If you have a SIM only or pay as you go SIM for your mobile, you can quickly check your data usage directly through your device’s settings. Exactly how you proceed depends on whether you have an iPhone or Android.

How to check data usage on iPhone

Go to Settings > Network or Settings > Mobile Data to see a summary of your total data usage. You can also view the usage for each individual app.

The ability to view mobile data usage on a monthly or weekly basis is only available on certain iPhone models. This also includes the ability to view statistics for an individual app’s data usage over a specific period.

How to check data usage on Android

Go to Settings > Data usage to view a summary of the total data consumption for a specific period as well as the usage for each app. You also have the option to select the time period for which you want to view mobile data usage.

Regarding Android, bear in mind that the method for checking data usage may vary between different manufacturers. This also applies to the type of information displayed.

Via your account on the provider’s website

You can usually see how much mobile data you have used by logging into your account on the provider’s website. In some cases, you can only see it if you have a SIM only or mobile broadband, but this should be clear from the information on the website.

In the provider’s app

Many providers have their own app that you can download to your mobile, where you can usually view information about your contract or pay as you go SIM – for example, your data usage.

By sending texts

Many providers can provide you with information about your data usage via texts. You send a text to a specific number and receive an immediate response on how much you have used so far or how much data you have left.

Should mobile data be on or off?

If you have a limited data allowance and want to ensure you don’t use too much data, it’s advisable to turn off mobile data when you’re not online. Even if you are not actively using mobile data, some apps running in the background can consume data.

However, if you have a higher data allowance and know that you typically don’t use more data than you have, you can safely leave mobile data enabled. 

How do I turn off mobile data on my phone?

If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Network > Mobile Data and toggle the switch off.

If you have an Android mobile, such as Samsung, go to Settings > Data usage > Turn off Mobile data.

What is data rollover?

Data rollover means you can save your unused data from the previous month and use it later. Normally, you can only use data rollover for a month, but some providers allow you to keep your data for longer. Sky Mobile is the provider that is most generous with its data rollover; they allow you to save unused data for up to three years.

Please note! Providers usually have a set limit on how much data you can save. The limits may, however, vary between different providers.

The ability to save unused mobile data is a great benefit for users whose data habits and needs vary from month to month. But if you notice that you always have data left over, it might be better to simply switch to a plan with a lower data allowance, as this could save you quite a bit of money.

Are there pay as you go SIMs with data rollover?

It is less common for those with a pay as you go SIM to be able to roll over unused mobile data, as this option is mainly available for SIM only. But with some providers, you can save unused data on a pay as you go SIM.

What to do if mobile data isn’t working?

There are a few common reasons why mobile data suddenly stops working, but fortunately, you can resolve most issues yourself. Below, we list both causes and possible solutions.

Mobile data may stop working if

• It is disabled in the phone’s settings. It might be that mobile data is disabled for some reason, and in that case, you simply cannot connect to the network and use data. But you can easily resolve this by going into the device’s settings and selecting Enable mobile data or similar.
• There is no network coverage. If your provider has poor network coverage or no coverage at all where you are, you will not be able to use mobile data. That is why it is so important to compare providers’ network coverage in your location before making a choice. However, if it’s a one-off occasion in an area where you don’t usually spend time, you can change your location or position to test if this fixes the problem.
• The provider is experiencing a temporary service disruption. Sometimes there are disruptions in the networks, and in some cases, these can be very local, which may affect connectivity. Visit the provider’s website where you should find a page with information about the network and any service disruptions. If there are network disruptions in your area, you simply need to wait until the issue is resolved.
• The data allowance is used up. If you suddenly can’t use your mobile data, the explanation might be as simple as having used up what’s included in your contract or pay as you go SIM. Use one of the methods mentioned earlier on the page to check if your data is running out or not. If your data runs out, you can usually purchase more, but bear in mind that top ups are often relatively expensive.

Can you use mobile data abroad?

If you travel abroad, you cannot connect to your provider’s network and use data. By enabling roaming, you can ‘borrow’ a network in the destination country and use your mobile data as you travel. Some British providers still offer free roaming in EU and EEA countries, despite the UK no longer being covered by EU laws.

Please Note! You can also use certain pay as you go SIMs and mobile broadband while travelling within the EU/EEA, but this is not as common. Check the terms with your specific provider.

With some providers you must pay extra to use mobile data in EU countries. If you are travelling outside the EU, most providers require you to pay extra to access data. But some providers offer free roaming in selected countries outside the EU.

Whether or not you have to pay extra for using data abroad, there are usually set limits on how much mobile data you can consume. Please be aware that you may not be able to use as much data abroad as you do at home.