Data is becoming increasingly valuable in today’s world, and mobile plans are a key source of data usage for many people. Data banking and data rollover are two strategies that have gained popularity in recent years as a way to optimise data usage and save money. So, what are they, and how do they work?

How does data work for mobile phone plans?

Before we dive into data rollover and data banking, let’s first understand how mobile plans work. Most mobile plans offer a monthly data allowance—the amount of data you can use during a billing cycle. If you use up all your data before the end of the month, you may either have to pay for extra data or be knocked down to a capped download speed. And if you don’t use up all your data, it typically doesn’t roll over to the next month.

That’s where data banking and data rollover come in.

What is data banking?

Essentially, data banking allows customers to carry over unused data from one billing cycle to the next rather than losing it entirely. For example, if you have a 10GB monthly data allowance but only use 8GB in a given month, the remaining 2GB will be added to a “data bank” for use in the next month. This means you can accumulate data over time, allowing you more flexibility and control over your data usage.

For customers, data banking provides excellent flexibility and cost savings. It allows you to use your unused data from one month in future months rather than having to pay for additional data or being stuck with super-slow data speeds. This can be particularly helpful for people who have fluctuating data needs from month to month. 

What is data rollover?

Data rollover is a similar feature that is commonly offered in prepaid mobile plans. Like data banking, data rollover allows customers to carry over unused data from one billing cycle to the next. However, the critical difference is that data rollover is typically offered in prepaid plans, which are paid in advance rather than in arrears. This means that prepaid customers must top up their plan each month to continue using it, rather than paying a fixed amount at the end of each month like you would with a postpaid plan. In the instance where your prepaid period ends (generally after 28 or 30 days) and you haven’t topped up yet, your data rollover generally stops, and you’re back to your standard prepaid data limit.

The advantages of data rollover are similar to those of data banking, letting customers use last month’s leftover data in the current month. 

Benefits of a data bank

1. Cost savings

Data banking and data rollover can provide significant cost savings for customers. By carrying over unused data from one month to the next, you’re benefiting from the data you’ve already purchased. This can be particularly helpful for people with unpredictable data needs, as you don’t have to worry about losing any mobile data you’re not using.

2. Flexibility

With data banking and data rollover, customers don’t have to worry about exceeding their data limit in a particular month, as any unused data will be carried over. This allows customers to use more data in one month and less in another, depending on their needs. This increased flexibility can make it easier for customers to manage and plan their data usage more efficiently.

3. Peace of mind

With data banking and data rollover, customers don’t have to worry about running out of data before the end of the month or wasting their unused data. This can be particularly important for people who rely heavily on their mobile data for work or other essential tasks. Knowing that they have unused data that can be used in the future can help customers feel more secure and less stressed about their data usage.

Where do I use all of my mobile data?

Whether you’re streaming music, hot spotting a PC, using Google Maps or Waze, video calling a friend or just browsing the web, each second you spend will slowly use up more and more data. If you’re constantly running out and find it challenging to take advantage of data banking, it might be a good time to consider upgrading your mobile plan to something with a higher data allowance.

Here are the most common consumers of data:

Social media

Social media is one of the biggest consumers of mobile data. According to a report by Hootsuite, the average person spends nearly 2.5 hours per day on social media, with social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ranking among the biggest data hogs. Videos and images on these platforms consume significant data, especially if they’re streamed or displayed in high definition.

Video streaming

Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube are also major data hogs. In fact, according to a report by Sandvine, video streaming accounts for more than 65% of all mobile traffic worldwide. On average, streaming one hour of video in high definition can consume up to 3GB of data. Streaming video in high definition uses significantly more data than streaming in standard definition, so it’s important to adjust your video settings accordingly. 

Online gaming

Online gaming has also become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it can quickly eat up your mobile data. According to WhistleOut, you can expect to use between 40MB and 300MB per hour for most online games. Multiplayer games like Fortnite and PUBG consume the most data, requiring a constant internet connection and rendering complex graphics and animations.

Enjoy 500GB – 1000GB of data banking with MATE

If you’re tired of losing your unused data at the end of each month, MATE has the perfect solution for you! With our range of 4G and 5G mobile plans, you can experience 500GB-1000GB of data banking. That’s right, you can keep your unused data each month and use it whenever you need it. Whether you’re streaming your favourite shows or working remotely, MATE has got you covered with our flexible and affordable mobile phone plans starting from just $25 a month. Plus, you’ll get unlimited calls and texts to standard Aussie numbers, up to 150GB of monthly data, and top-quality Australian support. So, why settle for less when you can get more with MATE? Sign up and start enjoying the benefits of data banking today!

Conclusion

While there are some differences between postpaid plans that offer data banking and prepaid plans that offer data rollover, the benefits are the same—they provide flexibility, cost savings, and peace of mind for customers while also improving customer loyalty and retention for businesses. While there may be potential drawbacks to consider, data banking and data rollover can be a valuable tool for optimising data usage and saving money in today’s mobile-driven world.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How does data banking work?

Data banking allows customers to carry over unused mobile data from one billing cycle to the next. Instead of losing any unused data at the end of the month, it is added to the customer’s data allowance for the following month. The amount of data that can be carried over and the duration it can be stored depends on the mobile carrier and the specific plan. 

Can I get unlimited data banking?

Unlimited data banking depends on your specific provider. At MATE, we offer 500GB – 1000GB of data banking on all plans, meaning you can store a maximum of 500GB for future use.

Can all mobile plans offer data banking or data rollover?

No, not all mobile plans offer data banks or data rollover. Banked data is typically offered by specific providers as part of certain plans. It’s important to check with your provider to see if they offer these features and potential limitations. At MATE, all of our mobile plans offer 500GB – 1000GB of data banking.

Is data banking available internationally?

Whether data banking is available internationally depends on the provider, the plan and the international roaming offers. Some providers offer data rollover for international use, while others may not. It’s best to check with your provider to see if they offer this feature for international use.

Can unused data rollover expire?

Data banking and rollover can expire depending on the plan and provider. Some plans may have an expiration date for unused data, while others may allow you to accumulate data for a more extended period. 

For example, some prepaid plans offer data rollover that expires if you don’t top-up your plan in time. Other providers may have different rules and restrictions that cause your data rollover to expire. It’s essential to check the details of your plan to see if there are any expiration dates.

How do I know if my plan offers data banking or data rollover?

You can check with your mobile provider to see if your plan offers data banking or data rollover. Additionally, you can check the plan details on the provider’s website or app to see if these features are included.

What happens if I switch plans or providers?

If you switch plans or providers, your data banking or data rollover will be affected. It’s important to check with your new provider to see if they offer these features and if your existing rollover data can be transferred.

At MATE, we offer data banking of 500GB – 1000GB on all of our mobile phone plans. However, if you switch providers, downgrade to a lower-cost monthly plan or swap from a 5G plan to a 4G plan, your data bank is forfeited. If you upgrade from 4G to 5G or you swap to a higher-cost monthly plan, your data bank will continue as usual.

How can I check how much rollover data I have?

You can check how much data you have by logging into your account on the mobile provider’s website or app. Your data bank balance should be displayed in your account details and may include any bonus data from other offers.

Can I share my rollover data with other people?

Whether or not you can share your rollover data with others depends on the provider and the plan. Some providers may allow data gifting for people on the same mobile plan, while others may not offer it at all.

What happens to my rollover data if I cancel my plan or my account is suspended?

In most cases, if you cancel your plan or your account is suspended, your rollover data will be forfeited. However, this may change depending on the provider and circumstance, so it’s essential to check with your provider for more information.