Why does Plusnet use so much more data than other networks?

[#1]

Hi.

If I use the 02 network to watch a minute's worth of YouTube, it uses about 0.2 MB.

When I swap the sim over to Plusnet, it uses about 20 MB for the same video?!

I think there's a pretty serious issue somewhere down the line. Could PN look into this?

Thanks.

[#2]

Hi Cagney1994,

Thanks for getting in touch with us!

We're unable to see exactly what you have used your data on, only the amount that has been used.

We do advise that streaming music/videos, downloading apps etc.. does use more data. Our data also uses the 4G frequency band, which does use up more data quickly than 3G. 

If you would still like us to take a look into this, please message one of the mobile staff listed below via Private Message. I'm away from the office until further notice, so please don't contact me, as I'll be unable to pick this up.

You can also call us on 500 free from your SIM.

Thanks.

- Rebeka

@SarahStewart @OliGaffney @MichaelWilliams @CharlieRobinson

[#3]

One possibility could be that you are getting a better signal on Plusnet than O2, so YouTube is selecting a higher quality stream, which would use more data.

[#4]

@Cagney1994

This https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/How-Much-Data-Does-YouTube-Use  helps explain the possibility of different resolutions as mentioned by @pjmarsh

[#5]

I believe O2 also apply image compression, which may force lower resolutions on YouTube.

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly/Image-compression-and-traffic-management/td-p/1034507

[#6]

From having  2 to 3 sim only contracts I have found Plusnet Mobile on many occasions eats into my data at the start of the new day, here are the very first transaction of the day:

24-Aug-2018

xxxx

Data

1 mb

19-Aug-2018

xxxx

Data

128 mb

18-Aug-2018

xxxx

Data

76 mb

12-Aug-2018

xxxx

Data

122 mb

11-Aug-2018

xxxx

Data

40 mb

10-Aug-2018	xxxx		Data	140 mb
10-Aug-2018	xxxx		Data	13 mb

I cannot show many transactions due to having my phone connected to wifi most of the time but I know for a fact that if I didn't have my phone connected to wifi I could have shown more transaction with high data usage 122mb

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Moderator's note by Adie (Dvorak) removed phone number as it's a public forum.