Tips for Minimizing Data Usage

Wi-Fi FAQs

• What is Wi-Fi? +

  Wi-Fi is a technology that allows an electronic device (like your mobile phone or tablet) to exchange data wirelessly over a network.
• What is a hotspot? +

  A hotspot is a specific location that offers Internet access for electronic devices equipped to connect to Wi-Fi. Public places such as coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, hotels, and airports are often hotspots. Many establishments offer hot spots as a free service for patrons.
• Will I be charged for Wi-Fi Usage? +

  No, there are no additional monthly charges associated with Wi-Fi usage.
• Can my mobile phone automatically switch between the U.S. Cellular® network and Wi-Fi? +

  There is no automatic handoff between Wi-Fi and the U.S. Cellular® network. You can set your device to notify you when a Wi-Fi connection is available. After the first time you've connected a Wi-Fi network, you will be automatically connected the next time you are near that Wi-Fi network. The strength of the Wi-Fi signal will be indicated by the number of bars on the phone, similar to the bars indicating cellular network strength.
• What factors can affect my Wi-Fi connection speed? +

  There are a variety of factors that can affect your Wi-Fi connection speed. These factors can vary from location to location, and can include the number of other wireless devices connected to the Wi-Fi network and the type of building Wi-Fi is provided in.
• Can I connect to my VPN while using Wi-Fi? +

  Yes, you can connect to VPN while using Wi-Fi. Contact your IT administrator for more assistance.
• Why does my VPN disconnect when I switch between networks (e.g. from Mobile Broadband to Wi-Fi and vice versa)? +

  Many enterprise VPNs require the end user's network connection to not change locations or IP addresses for security. For any questions, concerns or assistance with your company's VPN, please contact your IT administrator or help desk.
• Is Wi-Fi safe to use? +

  It's easy to secure home and business Wi-Fi connections to prevent unwanted user access. However, public Wi-Fi hotspots often don't provide over-the-air encryption which protects user data from possible observation from other users. Because of this, we recommend that you avoid credit card and banking transactions when accessing unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots and only share personal information with trusted web sites which offer encryption (those containing https at the beginning of the address).