General BlackBerry® Functions and Features

[nsnandra]

2 months ago, my blackberry started transferring impressive amounts of data, which I discovered when I got a (delayed) alert from ATT.  In one instance, per my ATT bill, the blackberry transferred 150 MB of data, in apparently 2 minutes in London, which feels like it is bending the laws of current cell technology.  For a total monthly usage of over 450 MB until I shut down all roaming.

I have had a personal blackberry for 3 years (current one for 2). I have not changed my behavior or my applications and my usage is always a few MB per month (<20). So this recent spike is quite unusual. I travel overseas frequently and this spike was quite expensive. I have switched off roaming data, but that is now limiting my ability to read my emails (unless connected to wifi).

I have a blackberry 9900, 7.0 bundle 2392 (v7.0.0.576, Platform 5.0.0.733).  I do not use facebook or watch videos or anything.  Primary use is email (very limited and very few attachments) + consumer Bloomberg (occasionally) and some browser use.  I play Sudoku everyday.  I have taken the odd photograph, which is usually transferred during synch.

Neither the blackberry store (Singapore) nor the ATT operators can explain the spiking.

Any help is appreciated, thank you.

[JSanders Resident Expert]

AT&T should adjust your account for the spike, especially being a long-time customer, and they can determine what data source the large download(s) came from.

Have you in the past traveled international the same as this trip, and not experienced a spike in data usage like this?

[nsnandra]

Thank you for your response.

It took me several hours and multiple calls for ATT to agree to a refund.  They maintain the probelm is inexplicable and at my end.  Fortunately even they couldn't explain how anyone could transfer 150 MB in 2 minutes over the cellular network, per their own invoice.

Nothing has changed in my behavior.  I travel a lot out of the country and to the same places - have done for close to 2 years.

I have now turned off international roaming which sucks, since I have to wait for wifi locations to access my emails.  The blackberry is now an expensive phone.

Any idea how difficult it is to reset the OS on the blackberry, though who knows if that will solve the issue?!

[JSanders Resident Expert]

My best advice is that you need to get ATT to escalate this issue to RIM level tier two Tech Support.

They can trace the data and see what apps or source the data was coming from.

Perhaps you had some app or OS upgrade on the device while roaming? Still though, 150mb in two mins is quite beyond belief.

I don't know what you mean by an OS reset. Have you recently upgraded your OS or did I miss you've said that?

[nsnandra]

I would love for ATT to examine the issue. Clearly they don't think a 150 MB transfer is worth investigating! But as I said, several hours and several calls later ... sigh!

I just meant - can I reinstall the software and start again? To your point, I dont know which app upgraded or is consuming this data.

PS: the 150 MB spike was once, but the monthly data usage still exceeding 450 MB despite my "normal" of < 20 MB. Said differently, there were other occasions when unusual and amazing amounts of data were being transferred.

Thank you.

[VolvoBerry]

Perhaps you just got a new "App"...

Read bellow and good luck!

"Alternative app marketplaces prove profitable for cybercriminals
25 fake smartphone applications generate costly Premium rate SMS 

Reaserchers at the Avast antivirus labs in Prague have discovered a new batch of fake alternative marketplaces for downloading smartphone apps that trick users into sending premium rate SMS messages. Using a varant of the Android:FakeInst family, the new marketplaces hosted at www.t2file.net, www.uons.net, and www.sofile.net are aimed at defrauding users looking for smartphone screen savers and games.

To read more visit: blog.avast.com"

[nsnandra]

Thanks. But no traffic or unexplained messages or SMS or anything.

[VolvoBerry]

Regards...

Well, I guess J. Sanders is right... RIM's ”Tier two tech." would be your single choice!
Good luck with your phone AND with AT&T (and... I just hope the scammers would stay away from BB!)

[JSanders Resident Expert]

Luckily, what Avast is reporting does not affect BlackBerrys.

[VolvoBerry]

Yes Mr. Sanders and this is the reason BlackBerry is what it is...BLACKBERRY!  (contrary to what the "pundits" of Wall Street and Bay Street want us to believe... Note the lower case on pundits!)

I like your writtings very much!

Have a great weekend!

m.-