OT: Abnormal Internet bandwidth usage

Part of the difficulty is that even "text only" web pages are laden with scripts to track user "engagement" etc. These are often pulled in with substantial libraries of code attached. The google home pages itself used to be an example of minimalist web design at around 100K. These days it looks much the same, but it now several meg each time it is shown.

(as an experiment open the Firefox developer console (usually F12), then visit the google home page, then look at the Network tab. It will give you a list of all the all the HTTP(s) requests and responses plus the total amount of traffic generated.

Mine shows 3.67 MG transferred - and that was *with* Ghostery blocking

Maybe look at the Mobile Data records on the phone? An iphone gives a record of what's been used by app and over time. At least you'd be able to rule out the phone as the data hog.

I'm on the 5GB spusu contract too. Seriously thinking of upgrading - it's only a couple of quid extra for 15GB. I've nearly reached the monthly allowance and got caught out last month. In my case I think it's something to do with the phone connecting to the car stereo

Odd, I have Asda 3GB data+unlimited texts+calls for £5 /month.

I never use more than a few hundred Mb per MONTH.

Mine shows 1MB transferred, 210kB in the seasonal gif (Firefox + Ghostery) ... which is significantly better then duckduckgo.

Photos, podcasts and maps used about 1GB each. 1GB for a podcast?!