Data consumption:
How many GB do you really need?
How many GB do you need per month to cover your data usage? Our guide will help you find the answer to this question.
The type of use is decisive
The question of the right amount of data cannot be answered in general terms, because we all use the mobile internet very differently. Data consumption therefore depends heavily on individual habits and needs. Our overview of typical user profiles gives you an indication of how many GB you should expect for which types of use.
Occasional users: less than 10 GB per month
Occasional users are people who use their smartphone mainly for basic tasks such as making calls, messaging and occasional browsing. They occasionally write messages via messengers like WhatsApp, check their emails and read short news or weather updates. Occasionally calling up maps for route planning or looking up information also falls under this usage profile. Typically, occasional users use their data for
Such applications only require a few MB per use, so 5-10 GB of monthly data is usually sufficient. Occasional users can often control and utilise their overall amount of data even more efficiently in data saving mode.
Moderate users: 10-25 GB per month
Moderate users use their smartphones not only for basic tasks, but also for social media, video calls and occasional music streaming. They post on Instagram, scroll through Facebook, watch short videos on YouTube and listen to music on Spotify. They also enjoy occasionally playing podcasts or shorter online videos. Typical apps and applications are:
Do you recognise yourself in the description? Then you need minimum 10 GB per month. Depending on how intensively you use social networks, your data requirements may also be higher. Social networks and video streaming drive up your data consumption. If you don’t want to play content in lower quality or permanently activate low data mode, you should choose a slightly higher amount of data.
Intensive users: 25-50 GB per month
Intensive users are often on the move and use their smartphone almost like a computer. They regularly stream videos in HD quality, listen to high-quality music, use navigation apps for longer journeys and work with cloud services such as Google Drive. Streaming and cloud storage require a large amount of data; HD videos in particular can quickly consume several gigabytes. Typical apps and applications are:
With this usage behaviour, up to 50 GB is realistic to cover the entire month. High video quality consumes more data than simple media usage. For intensive users, it may therefore make sense to use a mobile data flat rate or tariffs with a correspondingly generous amount of data.
Power users: 50 GB and more
Power users are users who use their smartphone or tablet almost exclusively for mobile purposes and also perform data-intensive tasks on it. These include working in the cloud, regular HD and 4K streaming, playing online games, and uploading and sending larger files. Power users often require unlimited data because their usage significantly exceeds the data consumption of other profiles. Typical apps and applications are:
These users typically require 50 GB or more, and many even opt for unlimited data options to fully cover their needs. High video or audio streaming quality is a major factor here. Even if you play online games or regularly work with cloud apps, you need stable connections and a sufficiently large amount of data.
At Ortel Mobile you are sure to find the prepaid tariff that suits you perfectly. And no matter which tariff you choose: You use the mobile internet in the high-speed Telefónica network. This way you can really enjoy all the benefits of your tariff.
How much GB do you need for what?
Streaming services and map services such as Google Maps are among the applications that have a particularly strong impact on data consumption. Our overview gives you an idea of your data consumption resulting from Netflix, YouTube and similar.
How much data does YouTube use? The answer to the question depends largely on the playback quality you prefer. Netflix and YouTube data consumption for streaming is
Compared to Netflix and similar, Spotify's data consumption is essentially relatively low. As with video streaming, your actual consumption depends on the quality you choose:
Spotify can easily use up several GB of data per month if you listen to music every day. So if you stream a lot of music on the go, it's worth adjusting the quality accordingly or choosing an internet flat rate with a generous data volume.
Bluetooth & Co. increase data consumption
Your mobile data usage can grow quickly if you don't know exactly which apps are particularly data-intensive or how to monitor your usage. Many apps consume data even when they are not actively used. In particular, services such as
are often active in the background and increase data consumption. Below, you will find a comprehensive list of tips that can help you utilise your available data economically. Even small adjustments to the settings can have a big impact. This is especially worthwhile if you often require a sufficiently large amount of mobile data.
Enabling and disabling low data mode
On current smartphones, you can enable (and of course disable) low data mode as needed. Low data mode blocks apps running in the background and limits automatic updates. Here's how:
If you activate the low data mode, you can save a lot of data in everyday life – this is especially helpful when your monthly data is running low. Tip: At Ortel Mobile you can top up your credit at any time and continue streaming and browsing to your heart's content. You always keep an eye on your costs, because Ortel Mobile is prepaid without a long-term contract or data automation. You decide whether and when you want to purchase more credit.
Save videos for offline use
Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube not only offer the option of streaming content in real time. You can also download content to the device over Wi-Fi and watch it later offline. This feature is ideal if you want to watch films, series or videos on the go without using up your mobile data. In the settings of the respective app you can
Reducing streaming quality
Videos and music in HD or higher quality consume significantly more data than standard quality content. Streaming apps therefore offer you the option to adjust the playback quality. You can
Limit automatic app updates to Wi-Fi
App and system updates can quickly consume several hundred megabytes of data. Such updates often run in the background. If apps regularly use mobile data to update, your data allowance can be used up quickly. To prevent this, you should use your home internet for updates or connect to a Wi-Fi network if you want to update while on the go. To this end, you can
Disabling downloads in messenger apps
WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps often automatically download photos, videos and other media that are sent to you. This feature increases data consumption significantly. This is particularly noticeable in groups where a lot of media content is shared. You can change the settings of the respective app
Limiting background data for apps
Many apps continuously update themselves in the background to sync content or download updates. This can significantly increase your data usage. Fortunately, on Android and iOS you can decide for yourself which apps can remain active in the background and which cannot.
Tip: Particularly data-intensive apps such as social networks or streaming apps should only be allowed to access background data when your phone is logged into a Wi-Fi network.
Sharing photos and videos in lower quality
The quality of photos and videos that you send via messenger has a big impact on data consumption. If you frequently send high-resolution videos, you will place a heavy strain on your available data. Some apps offer options to reduce the quality of media before sending. Reduce the resolution before sending or use compression tools to make large files smaller without losing too much quality. This way, you can share media on the go without using up your data.
Favouring Wi-Fi hotspots
If you are often on the move, using public Wi-Fi hotspots can be a good way for you to save data. Many cafés, train stations and even public places now offer Wi-Fi hotspots that you can use to save your data.
Tip: Whenever possible, always connect to an available Wi-Fi hotspot while on the go. This is particularly relevant if you want to use streaming or social media apps or other apps that consume a lot of data. However, make sure that your Wi-Fi connection is secure so that your data is safe from unauthorised access.
Regularly analyse and monitor usage
A regular analysis of your data usage can help you get a better feel for your data needs and optimise your usage in the long term. To this end, you can
Your advantages at Ortel Mobile
With a prepaid SIM card from Ortel you can use your mobile phone to make and receive calls and surf abroad flexibly and cheaply - and with no long-term contractual obligation. In addition, you benefit from various advantages of cheaper prepaid rates and a variety of different options. We have the right rate for everyone.
Prepaid means paying in advance. You purchase a SIM card, which you top up with credit. Then you can book a suitable option from our large selection on your card. Calls and SMS will only be blocked once you have depleted your credit. However, you will still be reachable.
You do not have to sign a long-term contract. To phone with Ortel, all you need is a mobile phone without a SIM lock. You can order your SIM card online for free or with your starting credit.
You can change your Ortel tariff flexibly every month. With Ortel you always are in full control over your mobile phone and telephone expenses.
Since there is no basic tariff yet, there are no additional costs with an Ortel prepaid card. There is no unpleasant surprise when checking the telephone bill.
Ortel also offers flexible tariffs for smartphone users. Internet flat rates for mobile surfing can be booked as an option - monthly and hassle-free. The good thing is that you can cancel these rates on a monthly basis. If you expect high Internet consumption in the next month or know that you will be travelling a lot, we offer you a one-off booking option.
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