If you use a smartphone or your favorite gadget is a tablet, you probably use the internet as part of your purchased data package. Gigabytes of data give you complete freedom, because mobile internet is always with you.
Unfortunately, they get used up every time you laugh at memes online 🐱, watch videos on YouTube, have video calls with loved ones, and get emotional watching Netflix 🎦. It also gets used up even when you're not actively doing anything, because apps constantly run in the background of your device, connecting to the network, downloading emails, or updating settings. Why do they do this? To efficiently deliver all declared functionalities to users. Find out how to enable cellular data and when it's worth turning it off or saving its usage.
Cellular Data – What Is It, How to Turn It On and Off?
Cellular data is a separate transmission band that provides access to the WWW network. When your data package is depleted, the internet speed on your device will drastically drop, or you won't have any internet at all, and then watching your favorite series will be forgotten. Fortunately, you can avoid this unpleasant surprise. You just need to plan your internet package purchase well.
To surf the web, you need to have Wi-Fi or cellular data turned on. How to turn on the latter?
Android
- Go to "Settings".
- Select "Connections", then "Network & internet".
- Toggle on "Cellular data".
Or:
- Go to "Settings".
- Select "Data usage" or "Data limit".
- Toggle on "Mobile network".
Additionally, you can easily turn cellular data on and off from the main notification bar. Simply select the icon with two opposing arrows.
iOS
- Select "Settings".
- Then toggle on "Cellular" or "Mobile Data".
Online Activity Affects Mobile Data Usage
Consider your online activity. Do you check news on websites and video call with loved ones? Or perhaps you spend hours watching movies on streaming services? This is important because cellular data usage will differ significantly in both cases.
What do you use data for online?
- To keep up with social media, receive emails, and stay updated with news, you need an average of 4–5 GB per month. This is also enough for using messengers like WhatsApp or Messenger.
- You'll use more cellular data if YouTube is your favorite app, and you also take a lot of photos that you later send out. In this case, the number of gigabytes used will be at least 15 GB.
- If you intensely use streaming services with movies and series, consider a package of at least 30 GB. Watching a 2-hour HD movie on an online service uses an average of 6 gigabytes of data. So, if you watch movies online frequently – consider a larger package.
Armed with this knowledge, you can choose the right internet package from Mobile Vikings for your needs and sail into the vast expanse of the internet. You can do this without contracts or formalities, enjoying fast transfers.
Do Cellular Data Always Have to Be On?
The answer to the above question is: yes, they can be. Although they don't have to be, especially if you are abroad. Remember that at Mobile Vikings, you can purchase a roaming package according to your needs. It's available through the Viking App. Its activation takes a maximum of 24 hours.
However, things get complicated when you travel outside the EU. Fees can be high then, so it's better to limit data usage and connect via Wi-Fi. You can do this on your smartphone from the main notification bar (on newer models). Just press the button marked with the symbol of opposing arrows or SIM card, and data roaming will be disconnected.
Limiting Background Data Usage
While you're at it, here's a tip on how to limit background data usage. If you have an Android device, go to Settings. There you'll find the "Cellular data usage" tab. Select the option to limit data usage for specific apps or in the general menu – for all. If you don't want to use the internet for a while, you can turn it off with a single button, available in the phone's main menu. It works similarly on iOS devices. Clever, right? This is your internet, and you won't hesitate to use it. But don't let them take away what you don't intend to use.
What to Do When Cellular Data Isn't Working?
You don't need to call Odin for help, let alone curse all possible gods. First, check if you have data transmission enabled. You might have forgotten after the last disconnection, or perhaps not everything is working as it should after a system update. Another reason is a depleted internet package. Remember that at Mobile Vikings, you can activate auto-reload. Then, at the end of the package's validity, it renews automatically. Connect a payment card to your Viking Account, and the charge will be debited automatically each month.
If the above situations are not the cause of the problems, check the signal icon on your smartphone screen. You might have gone on your dream vacation to a wild forest where network coverage is very weak. Just move closer to the operator's base stations (remember that Mobile Vikings uses Play network transmitters), and cellular data will work as it should again.
