topic Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular? in Mobile Data

Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:09:02 GMT

Hi all,

I believe I have to pay extra to add cellular data functionality to an Apple Watch (Purchased independent ally ie not from EE)

why is this so if I am on a top unlimited 5G ready data plan with EE already?! I would understand if I was on a lower tiered plan. This makes no sense as I am permitted to use unlimited data. I don’t think this issue is discussed enough and it feels like EE and other providers of unlimited plans are taking advantage and squeezing even more money out of customers? Thoughts @eeuk ?

All the best

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Christopher_G — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 17:38:41 GMT

Hi @Nick0slicK

Your Apple Watch can share the allowance of your phone plan without adding an extra plan. This is only when in range of Bluetooth between the watch and phone though.

The extra plan that you mentioned is so that your Apple Watch has it's own data allowance and connection to the mobile data network when out of Bluetooth range (while still using the same mobile number as your phone).

Hope this helps.

Chris

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 18:06:21 GMT

Yes I am already aware of this I own a non cellular watch. Whilst seemingly providing an answer I think my point was missed.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Chris_B — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:10:47 GMT

@Nick0slicK Why should a 2nd device ie watch on your account be able to use the data allowance from your phone tariff. You already have the calls/text allowance from the phone tariff to use via the watch. Just because you pay for an unlimited data allowance it’s doesn’t mean you should get favourable terms over someone with a limited data tariff. Do you think this same ideology should be applied if you was to get a tablet on your account? It’s a 2nd device that isn’t part of your phone tariff or the allowance that you have on that tariff.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 12:09:15 GMT

I just want to say firstly that whilst being factual, I use my point about being on unlimited data to emphasise my point, mainly. Why should anyone on any data tariff have to pay for data twice? After all there is only one person and one owner! You rightly stated minutes and texts are shared between phone and watch, why should data be any different? After all it is just one person and owner.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Hotkat — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:17:02 GMT

Totally agree with you Nick. If you are paying already for a data plan, why should you pay again?
It's not like you are using any more data, you're using your watch in place of your phone. More likely that you will use less data in these circumstances as the watch will not be used for random browsing or video use.
I can understand a small cost to cover the fact of having an extra device attached to the network but not for extra data.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Chris_B — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:22:33 GMT

@Hotkat that’s because the watch has nothing todo with your phone contract. It’s a 2nd device on your account just like if you was to get a tablet or other phone on your account. Each device has its own data allowance. And it is a small cost if you got the watch elsewhere. £7 but that £7 gets you 10Gb of data just for the watch.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Hotkat — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:46:33 GMT

@Chris_B It's using the phones number so it is to do with the phone contract. I assume I couldn't have just a watch contract without a phone?

Also, while I'm using the watch, I'm not using the phone, Less data used overall when going out with just a watch than with a phone, so less use of services.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

James_B — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:18:53 GMT

Hi @Hotkat,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

You can use your phone's data plan when it is within range of the watch. You only need a data plan for your watch if you'd like to use it independently when out of range of your phone.

We also offer a standalone watch plan which gives the watch its own phone number.

Hope this helps.

James

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:31:55 GMT

and what if I have paid for my watch independently, direct from Apple. This logic then falls apart. Also as Hotkat pointed out, you would generally be using data on the watch instead of on your phone. It’s broken to me.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:34:30 GMT

James I feel like you either haven’t read the full thread, or are deliberately side stepping the issue raised. This thread will seemingly remain in an open state.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

James_B — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:39:26 GMT

Hi @Nick0slicK,

The same logic applies when you didn't purchase your watch from EE, you don't need to purchase a plan for the watch's eSIM, unless you want to use it independently from your phone.

James

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Hotkat — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:32:58 GMT

@James_B If I wanted a watch to be independent and have it's own phone number, using it as a stand alone device with voice and data, then of course. It would need a contract and data plan.

I think you maybe don't understand the point of the thread. A watch which is owned outright and linked to a phone can be used via the phones plan while in the vicinity of the phone. This is usual and common.

Occasionally, the owner may wish to go out without the phone. This would, in the vast majority of cases, be only for short periods, going for a run, for example.

This watch may be using data at this time, but it is using it IN PLACE OF the phone, not alongside it. The phone has a data plan which would be fair to share with the watch. From the providers perspective, there is an extra device connected but the data usage at this time would be less than it would be if the phone was being used.

A small amount to cover the extra connection would be much fairer than the current amount. The provider may even benefit as more users may be inclined to connect their phone if they weren't tying themselves to nearly £100 per year for the privilege. Imagine how many customers you could tempt from other providers if you were to offer a watch connected to the phone contract for £1 a month while sharing the data from the phone plan.

I have a cellular watch and cannot justify £7 per month for occasional use. If another provider offered to include my watch then I would be there like a shot.

If EE would like to offer me this as a test bed, please get in touch 😁

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

James_B — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:01:16 GMT

Hi @Hotkat,

I understand that you'd like to use data from your phone's plan on your watch when it is out of range, without any additional costs.

To connect to the mobile network when away from your phone, you need to purchase a data plan for the watch's eSIM. Like all other mobile devices (Phones, tablets, laptops etc.) there are costs associated with connecting this additional device to the network.

James

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Nick0slicK — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 16:14:59 GMT

I’d be there like a shot too. £7 just to connect to a network, joke.

Re: Unlimited Data Plan not shareable w/ Apple Watch cellular?

Chris_B — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:00:45 GMT

The watch is a separate device to your phone it isn’t part of the contract that you with the phone. It’s a 2nd line on your account that’s just like having a 2nd phone or tablet on your account. It has nothing todo with the contract with your phone.

Do you pay more for having 2 cars on the same insurance policy or do you think it should be the same cost of having one car on that policy. It’s the same here you want a 2nd device on your account to have internet access so have to pay to have that access. Once again the watch has nothing todo with your phone contract or that connection to the network.