Data charges for Wi-Fi

The Terminator · 06-09-2011, 07:37 PM

Just to make absolutely sure, the Wi-Fi on my LG Optimus One is free right? I'm using Koodo. One person at London drugs said that I would have to unlock my phone if I wanted free Wi-Fi? The next visit the more tech savy guy said Wi-Fi is free. The first guy had a Blackberry and said he had to un-lock it. So just so I don't have a huge bill at the end of the month, it's free right?

And if it makes any difference I do have a data plan, along with cell phone and text.

tubemonkey · 06-09-2011, 08:14 PM

Generally, yes; but there are always exceptions.

In the US, there are quite a few free WiFi hotspots - McDonalds, Starbucks, public libraries, bookstores, etc. These require nothing more than agreeing to their TOS. Places offering paid WiFi will demand payment up front before allowing you to use it. You should be safe using these.

To be certain that you don't inadvertently tap into a hotspot your carrier provides for a fee, contact them and ask. Carriers encourage customers to use WiFi whenever possible, and sometimes require it for certain services.

The Terminator · 06-16-2011, 08:10 PM

Thanks for confirming that the first guy shouldn't be working in the cell department

taming · 06-17-2011, 01:51 PM

Using a Canadian plan, Canadian WiFI is free. If you travel across the border, you will be charged for data--and at atrocious roaming rates.

boswd · 06-17-2011, 01:52 PM

I thought Canadian internet providers capped internet data usage even over wifi.

taming · 06-18-2011, 10:29 AM

Apples and Oranges, boswd. The question was if using the device counted against the mobile plan data caps. It doesn't. If you are using it at a public hotspot, you would not be worried about their Internet cap and at home, well, my cap is 400 GB, so I would not worry much there either though I suppose some folks would.

06-09-2011, 07:37 PM	#1
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Data charges for Wi-Fi Just to make absolutely sure, the Wi-Fi on my LG Optimus One is free right? I'm using Koodo. One person at London drugs said that I would have to unlock my phone if I wanted free Wi-Fi? The next visit the more tech savy guy said Wi-Fi is free. The first guy had a Blackberry and said he had to un-lock it. So just so I don't have a huge bill at the end of the month, it's free right? And if it makes any difference I do have a data plan, along with cell phone and text.

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06-09-2011, 08:14 PM	#2
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,480 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Generally, yes; but there are always exceptions. In the US, there are quite a few free WiFi hotspots - McDonalds, Starbucks, public libraries, bookstores, etc. These require nothing more than agreeing to their TOS. Places offering paid WiFi will demand payment up front before allowing you to use it. You should be safe using these. To be certain that you don't inadvertently tap into a hotspot your carrier provides for a fee, contact them and ask. Carriers encourage customers to use WiFi whenever possible, and sometimes require it for certain services.

06-16-2011, 08:10 PM	#3
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Thanks for confirming that the first guy shouldn't be working in the cell department

06-17-2011, 01:51 PM	#4
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Using a Canadian plan, Canadian WiFI is free. If you travel across the border, you will be charged for data--and at atrocious roaming rates.

06-17-2011, 01:52 PM	#5
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	I thought Canadian internet providers capped internet data usage even over wifi.

06-18-2011, 10:29 AM	#6
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Apples and Oranges, boswd. The question was if using the device counted against the mobile plan data caps. It doesn't. If you are using it at a public hotspot, you would not be worried about their Internet cap and at home, well, my cap is 400 GB, so I would not worry much there either though I suppose some folks would.

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