Person with PDA handheld device. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It’s my job to try and convince you about all of the myriad benefits of streaming, and to introduce you to all of the streaming services available like Netflix, Hulu, and iTunes. So why would I caution you about streaming to your mobile device? Because the streaming industry won’t be served if people get a bad taste in their mouths after signing up for a service. Knowledge is power, and as we wait for mobile technology to catch up with streaming technology, there are a few things you can keep in mind in order to not get burned in your experience.
- Check Your Data Plan Before Streaming – depending on the film quality, one hour of online streaming is estimated to use about 1.4 Gb of bandwidth. Typical mobile broadband plans are sold at 250 MB, 3, 5 or 10 GB per month. Video streaming could quickly chew through your allotted data.
- Be careful about downloading video – while in general you will probably save a small amount of data if you download and then view the film offline, it still uses a lot. Use a broadband usage calculator to help you wrap your mind around what various activities will cost you in terms of data usage.
- Check how much data you have left – Many mobile devices enable you to log into your account and view how much data you have left. As you get used to using your device, make this a standard practice until you are familiar with your typical usage patterns.
- Use public or your home WiFi for certain activities – No sense using your data if one of these is available. For instance, if you have a Kindle Fire with a Netflix app, you can utilize public Wifi and stream to your heart’s content. Why not apply this same logic to your mobile device with a limited data plan. Additionally, you can use WiFi to download files and then view them later without an internet connection. You should be cautious about WiFi hotspots that your dataplan provides, however. They may possibly deduct any data you use from your monthly allotment.
By exercising a bit of caution and restraint, you can have your cake and eat it too. Streaming can be part of your mobile activities, but the majority of your streaming should be reserved for your home internet connection. Even there, restraint must be exercised, depending on the plans you have available to you. Rest assured as this technology comes into it’s own, particularly as consumer demand continues to rise, internet providers will have to adapt with adequate data plans as well.
