Knowing this can help you to avoid things like extra charges or reduced internet speeds.
There's a range of Apps that might use data on your phone, and some that you might not expect. Some Apps will use data when you're actively using them, and some Apps will use data while they're in the background.
Remember that how your Apps use data is all within your control.
You can allow or restrict data usage in both iOS and in Android.
Here are some useful tips:
- Monitor your usage regularly. Use our One NZ app or sign in to My One NZ to track your usage. You'll start to know what level is normal for you.
- Get to know how much data, calling minutes and TXT are on your plan. Knowing your limits will help you to avoid going over them, and incurring casual rate charges, or maybe facing reduced speeds. You can find your plan’s allowance by signing into the One NZ app, and you can check your bill any time if you are a Pay Monthly customer.
- Use WiFi whenever possible. Using WiFi is a great way to save mobile data. Whenever you have access to WiFi, you can turn off your mobile data in your phone settings and use WiFi instead. You can also use WiFi Calling to make and receive calls in any location covered by WiFi, both here in NZ, and overseas.
- Turn off background data and delete unused apps. Many apps will use data in the background, even when you're not using them. You can force-close Apps if you want. Turning off background data for apps in your phone settings can also help you save data.
- Be aware of data roaming charges. Data roaming charges can be very expensive. If you're traveling outside of New Zealand, be sure to find out about data roaming rates.
How your data usage works.
Data on your phone plan gets used when you browse websites, stream music, use social media, and when you use Apps. The amount of data that's used depends on each kind of activity.
For example, checking your email and web-browsing can use a relatively small amount of data, while streaming videos and downloading OS files use a lot more.
These measurements will help you understand file sizes a little better:
Mobile data is measured in units called kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), and gigabytes (GB).
One gigabyte (the largest unit) is equal to 1,000 MB, and one megabyte is equal to 1,000 KB.
To help you relate to that even better, a standard quality song on Spotify might be around 3MB. The same song at very high sound quality might be 10MB in size.
Most mobile plans have a data allowance, which is the maximum amount of data you can use during a billing period. Our One Plan has unlimited data, which is all at max speed, and that means data use is no concern.
Once you reach your max speed allowance, you may be charged casual rates if you are on a Prepay plan or experience reduced speeds if you are a Pay Monthly customer.
What can use your phone's data?
If you're using more data than usual after installing a new App, start by checking that App.
| Frequency | Minimum Data |
| Lightly once a day | 1GB |
| On social media all the time | 5GB+ |
If you are just lightly viewing and updating text on social media once a day, a low end plan is fine.
If you upload or watch a lot of photos and videos all the time, then a 5GB plan or higher is recommended for you.
| Frequency | Minimum Data |
| Casual Listener | 1GB-3GB |
| Daily Streamer | 5GB |
| Daily (HD) Streamer | 10GB |
If you are a casual music listener (including online radio) then a 1-3 GB plan is fine. However, if you stream daily using Apple Music, Spotify, or similar then a 5GB plan is recommended.
If you stream HD audio daily, then up to 10GB is recommended. On Apple iOS HD streaming is off by default but can be enabled in the phone menu.
| Frequency | Minimum Data |
| Daily (Standard) | 5GB |
| Daily (HD) | 10GB+ |
For daily YouTube and other video streaming services, a 5GB minimum plan is recommended with 10GB being ideal. If you want to regularly watch higher quality (HD+) video or TV series then 10GB is minimum. Remember that you can control the settings on video streaming for lower quality and lower data demand.
| Frequency | Minimum data |
| Text only | 500MB+1GB |
Should be comfortably done daily within a 1GB plan or even 500MB plan for casual use.
| Frequency | Minimum data |
| Occasional | 1GB-3GB |
For both Android and IOS devices there can be regular updates to the system and installed apps. These can use several hundred megabytes so it is important to set these to only be done on WIFI.
Online gaming can create background data. You should block the data if possible through the application settings on the phone.
About Prepay casual rates.
Casual rates are the prices you'll pay for calls, TXTs and data when your plan has run out, or if you haven't bought a plan or an Add-on for it.
That means you will pay more for using data, mins or TXTs without a plan.
You can keep an eye on your data usage with the One NZ app and with My One NZ on the One NZ website.
We'll text you when you've used 80% or all of your plan.
Data.
- Casual data: $0.50 per MB once you've used any included Data.
- If you've run out of data, minutes, or TXTs on your plan. You can buy Daily Deals for Prepay to get more without renewing your plan.
Calls.
- NZ calls: $0.49 per minute for calls to mobiles and landlines once you've used your included minutes.
- International calls: Calls to our top 15 overseas countries anytime 89c per minute.
- Rest of the world: $1.43 per minute.
- $2 for 60 minutes: Call overseas landlines in one of 30 countries from NZ anytime and pay no more than $2 for 60 minutes.
- Calls to voicemail: 20c per call.
TXTs.
- NZ TXTs: $0.20 per TXT, once you've used any included TXTs.
- International TXTs: From NZ to overseas 31c per TXT.
