Mobile data allows you to gain wireless access to the Internet, any time, any place. However, you must have a data enabled mobile phone to access such services. Essentially, whenever you read your emails, browse the internet, share photos online, stream movies, or use social networking sites, you are making use of data services.  The below table provides a clear indication as to which services or applications actually consume data from your mobile package.

At the outset, you need to have a data-enabled mobile phone in order to enjoy data services. Mobile phones typically connect to the Internet, either through a Wi-Fi connection or via mobile data.  You would therefore, either need to have a mobile subscription that also provides for data services, or else you may opt to make use of a paid, or free WiFi hotspot.  If you have mobile data services enabled on your mobile -phone and have a subscription that supports these services then you can use the Internet on your phone even when Wi-Fi is not readily available.  Many mobile telephony packages available on the market offer a pre-determined amount of data, free-of-charge, as part of the subscription plan. Some service providers also offer you the possibility of purchasing data bundles, over and above the allocated data allowance.

The amount of mobile data that you will need will depend very much on how often you intend to use it and particularly, on your specific activity on the Internet on your mobile phone.  For example, if you use the Internet on your mobile phone to watch videos on YouTube (especially if these videos are in High-Definition) and download large files, you will consume more data than if you use the Internet to read your emails or to browse websites.  Understanding your monthly data usage will help you choose the right mobile data plan for you.  The below graphical representation will shed some light on the level of mobile data consumption, depending on the service or application being used.

Note: Mobile data consumption may differ from one mobile phone to another.

Certain service providers may send you an automatic notification before, and upon exhausting the free allocated data allowance. Certain service providers also offer the facility to enquire about your data consumption by sending an SMS to a particular number. You would then receive a reply indicating your data balance. It is important to enquire with your service provider about the different mechanisms available to control your data consumption. If you continue using data services after you have exhausted your data allowance within your plan, you will be charged for such data.  Such charges should be listed in your contract upon subscribing to the service.  You can use such services, free of charge, ONLY if you connect to a free WiFi hotspot.

Mobile data is calculated in terms of kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), and gigabyte (GB). There are 1,024 KB in 1 MB and 1,024 MB in 1 GB. Most of the data tariffs are calculated, and/or charged, on a per MB basis.

Certain smartphones have in-built applications which provide an approximation of mobile data usage at regular intervals during your mobile data subscription period. There are also a good number of data monitoring applications readily available for download from the web.  You also have the possibility to review your data usage pattern in retrospect, by viewing your itemised bill which provides you with a detailed description of your data usage through the previous billing period. This can provide valuable insight into how you can control, or make better use of your mobile data package in the following months.   Whilst the various monitoring data applications provide an approximation of your mobile data consumption, the itemised bill provided by your service provider shows the true extent of your data usage.

3G stands for ‘Third Generation Network’.  Similarly, 4G stands for ‘Fourth Generation Network’.  Both 3G and 4G networks enable you to access mobile data, however the speed of the Internet connection is the differentiating factor between the two networks. 4G networks provide higher Internet speeds when compared to a 3G network.  The difference between these two networks does not affect your mobile data consumption. However, due to the higher speeds offered by a 4G network, you are more likely to engage in increased online activity, which directly impacts the amount of mobile data consumed.

There are various measures you can take to avoid unnecessary data consumption. The following are some examples.

1. If you are not using the Internet, make sure you turn off the mobile data facility on yourphone.  Even if you are not using the Internet, certain applications may continue working in the background and consequently eat away your mobile data allowance.

2. Connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot whenever this is possible.  The MCA, in collaboration with other entities, provides over 190 Wi-Fi hotspots around Malta and Gozo.  For a full list of these hotspots please follow this link http://www.mca.org.mt/wifi-hotspots. We have also developed a free App - ‘MCA Malta Free Wi-Fi’, which is available for download from Google Playstore, which locates the nearest MCA’s Wi-Fi hotspots according to your given location.  Today, many food and beverage establishments, entertainment and public places offer free WiFi facilities, so make use of these whenever possible to preserve your mobile data allowance. Alternatively, if you do not want to turn off your mobile data facilities, restrict background data: Some of your mobile applications consume data even if you are not using them.  Review your mobile settings accordingly.

3. Many mobile phones offer the facility to restrict any applications updates to be undertaken using a WiFi connection only. In such cases, you would need to set the device settings accordingly.

4. Turn off push notifications. Your phone may have an option to stop you from receiving any automatic notifications upon receipt of new emails or any incoming news from your social media accounts.

5. Avoid using your personal mobile phone as a personal hotspot whilst using mobile data as other wireless devices can connect and consume data for your mobile data package. Use mobile-friendly websites whenever possible: Websites which are optimised for mobile use (i.e. mobile version websites) are designed to be less data heavy when compared to main sites and will therefore consume less data.

6. Review the settings of your social media accounts. Facebook, for example, has recently added a new feature which automatically plays videos that feature on your timeline.  This will result in a considerably higher amount of mobile data consumption.  You can stop this by changing your Facebook settings to run such videos only when connected to Wi-Fi or to not play videos automatically.

Yes, you can use the Internet on your mobile phone when travelling.  Be aware that data roaming tariff rates are generally higher than local data rates, so use your mobile data wisely.  When travelling abroad there are certain mechanisms which help you to prevent any data bill shocks.  For further information take a look at our FAQs on roaming.