When it comes to mobile internet, the term data usage is often used. But what is data and what is data usage exactly?
ones and zeros
Data is an English term. It means ‘data’. In the world of computers, data is the basic data from which all files and parts of the computer are built. Humans have cells with chromosomes and things like that. Digital data essentially consists of ones and zeros that determine how a computer, tablet or smartphone behaves.
data over the internet
All those ones and zeros take up space. For example, to open a website, the entire website must be sent to the phone via the Internet connection. A website is then a fairly limited part, but a ten-minute video is a lot bigger. For example, the unit for data over the Internet is MB (megabyte) and GB (gigagybte).
With a mobile internet subscription you usually get a certain amount of GB per month that you are allowed to use. How quickly this runs out depends on what you do with your phone or tablet when you’re on the mobile internet. Looking up something on Google uses little data. Watching a long video on YouTube consumes more MBs.
The usage
You can find out how much data you have already used this month via the website of your mobile internet provider. There are also apps that can keep track of this, and smartphones often have a function for it too.
Good to know: e-mailing and surfing the internet use very few MBs per hour, watching videos via YouTube or Netflix use a lot of MBs. Many Netflix programs can be downloaded via the WiFi connection. So if you want to watch something on the go, that’s a good alternative.
Keep an eye on data usage
Do you have a subscription with a modest amount of data? Then make sure that you do not exceed the limit. Outside the bundle you often pay per MB and then the amount of money can increase considerably. Also be alert when you are abroad. Countries within the EU are included in your data bundle, but in America or Asia, for example, you also pay per MB used via the provider.