Sony Xperia Mobile

[chokkie]

Hi folks, just bought myself one of these phones. I'm a first-time user of this sort of phone, so not terribly mobile phone savvy. Bought the phone outright and then have a very cheap contract with o2, huge number of minutes for phone calls, loads of free texts, etc. There is also a separate FM radio app on the phone, but I was wondering if listening to the radio through this app would use up all the allowances I've got from 02. I thought it didn't, and that all it might do is use up the phone battery life. However, Mr. Chox thinks that it would use up all the free stuff I've got on the contract ....

could any one please advise - if the radio does use up the allowances, then I'm happy to go back to my little sports radio ....

Thanks in advance, Chox.

[Gizmonster]

I'm fairly sure that it wouldn't use up your allowance.
Why don't you put the radio on for an hour, or so and then check your contract allowance, etc, to see if it's taken anything off ??

[snags]

Have a read of this:

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/Internet-radio-and-data-allowance/td-p/273134

[Gizmonster]

Thinking about it .... how else would your phone connect to the radio. It's not like a traditional radio, where it simply scans the airwaves - it uses the internet to connect - ignore my last post lol :(
You can verify this by disabling mobile data - I'm fairly sure it won't work with the internet disconnected.
The question is - how much data would it use?? I'm guessing that it wouldn't be too much .... but who am I to say .... especially after my first post :P

[Buenchico]

There are various different models of the Sony Experia but, looking at the specs of the 'S' model, it's clear that it has a built-in FM radio (NOT an 'app') which has nothing whatsoever to do with the internet (and therefore also has absolutely nothing to do with data usage):
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_s-4369.php
Clicking on the links for other models (such as the Z1) seems to show exactly the same thing.

[Gizmonster]

Damn .... looks like I might be wrong again - in which case my first post was correct ..... either way, one of my posts is correct lol.
I'd try what I suggested though, turn off your mobile data, plus your wi-fi and try and access the radio. This way you'll be able to work out whether or not your phone needs to access the internet, in order for the radio function to work.

[Gizmonster]

PMSL .... I'm loving this thread - the more I post, the deeper I dig lol :P

Would you believe I have an Xperia S (seriously I have). I've never used the radio, but I just tried it now. I disconnected the wi-fi and internet and it still works. You need to plug headphones in - it used the headphones as antenna. Assuming that all the Xperia models are the same, I agree with Buenchico and can now say it will not use your allowance ...... errmmm ..... I think ....... until someone else posts something to the contrary :P