Little 'H' icon at top of screen on XP Pro Mini

[#1]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum - in fact I've only had my phone for about 3 hours!!

I'm getting used to it by pressing and exploring.  I didnt notice this at first but once I had clicked to open the browser - and closed it again when I realised that it required a few settings that I would need to do when I had more time.  Since closing the browser a little 'H' icon has appeared at the top of the screen.  Below it, are an up arrow and a down arrow - both flash at various intervals.  The thing is I am now on a contract with Virgin (always been PAYG).  I have 500mb of internet stuff a month but am worried that I've somehow turned my usage on permanently.  So the first thing is.  Is this anything to worry about?  Secondly, just so I know can I turn the 'H' off?

Cheers

[suze · Accepted solution]

Your mini I believe has a similar set up to my X8 so you can install a widget called Data Traffic that comes preinstalled on the phone.  This lets you turn the data traffic on and off easily from your screen.  You should then not be getting your H sign. My X8 I run on a PAYG sim with no data plan so have this switched off all the time whereas my X10 is on a full data package and I leave data on all the time.

You might however be surprised how little data you use just for normal browsing and updating things like Facebook and Twitter whilst on the go if you can access wifi at where possible for example at home I am using wifi rather than data traffic.  It's streaming videos etc that takes up your data.  You can download an app called 3g Watchdog that lets you keep track on what you are using.  Once you have it give your carrier a call and see how much you have used to date and what your refresh day in the month is (mine is the first for data but the 14th for calls and text allowance so best to check) you can then put in the amount manually that you have used already this month and it will track it until your refresh day that you also input when setting up. 

[#3]

If you prefere not to install an app you can set data traffic to on or off under

'Settings'

'Wireless & networks'

'Mobile networks'

and there you find 'Data traffic'

at least on my XP Mini with android 2.1

but with 500 mb a month you probably wont have to worry about that

[#4]

The 'little H' is just telling you that you're connected to the HSDPA network, and the arrows show that an upload/download is taking place.

You can disable data as described above, but it's much easier if you use the widget (i.e. button on your homescreen) to turn data access on or off when you want it (so you can easily check e-mail etc without having to go through a pile of menus).

Add this widget by unlocking your phone, pressing the left-hand button (with the icon of the four squares), clicking on 'Arrange widgets' --> 'Add widget' --> 'Data traffic'.

That will give you a big button on one of your home screens (which you can get to by swiping your finger left or right across the unlocked screen) where you can turn data on or off.

[#5]

Cheers everyone.

I was just worried.  Have managed to get the Data traffic icon on the front screen.  Also I've linked to my wi-fi network at home so when I'm at home that's great and when away I can now choose when to turn my data on.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

SRWF

[#6]

Halo,

is it this data traffic will charge our phone credit? or is free???

after i turn on, initially is show "H" with upload/download taking place..but it will change to 3G with upload/download? so wat is the meaning???

thanks

[gwhispererz]

Free or not? All depends on your data plan with your Carrier.

The 'H' and '3G' are the network mode, H is faster.