Understanding and monitoring my mobile data usage

What is mobile data?

Thanks to advanced 4G network technology, Videotron's mobile data plans give you access to the Internet from your mobile phone.

Your smartphone and tablet can connect to the Internet in two ways:

via a mobile network
via a Wi-Fi network

All data usage made via Wi-Fi networks will not be deducted from your mobile data plan or charged.

What can influence my data usage?

Here are some examples of actions that affect your data usage:

Watching videos
Browsing the web
Listening to music or to the radio online
Sending or receiving emails and opening attachments
Using a GPS
Online games
Download and use of applications from Google Play Store or Apple Store
Software update of your mobile

If you make changes to one of your services, your monthly plan will be adjusted on a prorated basis for the number of days remaining until the next billing cycle.

What is mobile data overage?

Data overage occurs when, for a given billing cycle, you exceed your mobile data plan’s monthly data allowance.

All usage that exceeds the data allowance is billed in addition to your monthly service fee, according to the rates specified in your data add-on.

How to avoid data overage

Here are many ways to help you monitor your mobile data usage and let you know if you’ve reached the limit on overage charges.

Warning : If you find yourself exceeding your plan’s mobile data on a regular basis, your Mobile plan might not be right for you. You can switch to a different one that better suits your needs.

Receiving text notifications

To make sure you receive notifications, log in to the Customer Centre, select Manage your communication preferences in the Account & Billing section, and make sure the boxes in the Notifications about your services section are checked.

You’ll receive up to three types of notifications by text:

A first notification tells you that you’re about to reach your plan’s data limit.
A second notification tells you that you’ve reached your limit and that pay-per-use rates will now apply.
A third notification tells you that you’re about to reach the overage limit.

Learn more about the data usage and overage limits.

How do I set a warning or blockage when said limit is reached or close to being reached.

Note: Depending on your device’s model, the procedure may vary slightly.

Samsung

Go to Settings and select Connections, then Data Usage.
Tap Billing cycle and data warning.
Turn on Set data warning and/or Limit mobile data usage features.
Choose the desired usage cap and enable an overage notification if you wish.
Select Start billing cycle on and set the reset date for the usage cycle to the date of your billing cycle.

Google (Pixel)

Go to Settings and tap Network & internet.
Select SIM cards.
Tap Data warning & limit.
- To change the billing day, select Cellular data usage cycle, enter the desired day and tap Set.
- To set up an overage notification, turn on Set data warning option, select Data warning, then enter the desired number and select MB or GB. Tap Set.
- To set up a data cap, enable the Set data limit option and select Data limit. Enter the desired number and select MB or GB, then tap Set.

Others (Android)

Go to Settings and select Network and Internet or Connections.
Select Mobile Network or Data Usage.
Select Warning and Data Limit or Billing Cycle.
Choose the desired usage limit and enable an overage notification.
Set the reset date for the usage cycle to the date of your billing cycle.

iPhone

Currently, iPhones do not have a feature where you can set up an alert or automatically block data on your device. We recommend that you regularly track how much data you’re using and manually turn data on or off.