How Much Data Does Skype Use?

Marvin Cleaver

Forum posts: 150

Aug 17, 2011, 1:53:45 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 1:53:45 PM via Website

Hi everyone,

So I just purchased a plan with almost 2 gigabytes from O2. I installed 3G watchdog on the phone so I can monitor my data usage. My question: can I use Skype to call out for more than 10 minutes a day or will that totally eat up all my data? Part of the reason why I bought this Android was so I could call via Skype to my girlfriend in Seattle but I don't want to use it too much if it is a huge data sucker? So, can anyone tell me: does Skype use massive amounts of data or is it more of a data-sipper?

Thanks in Advance!

— modified on Sep 19, 2011, 3:22:48 PM by moderator

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Arthur Cushman

Forum posts: 22

Aug 17, 2011, 1:56:07 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 1:56:07 PM via Website

Skype uses between 3-16 kb per second, depending on bandwidth. That'll give you between 1,000 and 2,000 minutes of Skype use per month if you only use your data plan to call on Skype!

— modified on Sep 19, 2011, 3:23:01 PM by moderator

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Marvin Cleaver

Forum posts: 150

Aug 17, 2011, 1:58:53 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 1:58:53 PM via Website

Thanks, Arthur, for the fast and helpful response! I have a few more questions...do you know how much data it would use to do a video Skype? Also, do you know how much data it uses when idling?

— modified on Sep 19, 2011, 3:23:18 PM by moderator

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Arthur Cushman

Forum posts: 22

Aug 17, 2011, 2:02:51 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 2:02:51 PM via Website

On average, Skype uses between 0-0.5 kb per sec while idling. Not sure about video calling, but I'm guessing a lot! :grin:

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Marvin Cleaver

Forum posts: 150

Aug 17, 2011, 2:04:50 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 2:04:50 PM via Website

Awesome! Is there a way to convert data online to see how many kb are in 2GB?

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Steven Blum

Forum posts: 882

Aug 17, 2011, 2:05:39 PM via Website

Aug 17, 2011 2:05:39 PM via Website

To see which apps use the most data, check out our review of Onavo, a data-monitoring app, or download it from our app center here.

— modified on Sep 12, 2011, 1:59:05 PM

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