How Much Bandwidth Used in Average Session?

[oafgirl]

<p>I'm going to have to be hospitalized for a couple of weeks in mid-July -- nothing serious, mainly to keep my feet up to aid circulation and wound healing -- and this time the doc said I could bring my laptop.  That's all well and good for a little while, but without internet access -- and more importantly, *Norrathian* access -- I will be an unhappy camper most of those two weeks.</p><p>I'm looking into pay-as-you-go mobile broadband, but all plans (even the contract ones) seem to have a limit of 5GB of bandwidth per month.  The tech guys at the store knew how to translate into how much streaming video one could do, but no one had a clue about gaming.</p><p>I am not a raider, my most advanced character is in the high 30s -- I do a certain amount of tradeskilling and decorating -- and lots of harvesting to support my TS habits....  Oh, and I'm on Antonia Bayle, so I do a lot of roleplaying.  (I figure standing around talking couldn't take *that* much bandwidth, but what do I know?)  Anyway, is there some average number I can use to determine about how many hours of playing would approach my monthly limit?</p>

[Ironcleaver]

<p>hum, interesting question - raiding or no raiding?</p><p>5hrs of raiding tonight and after checking my transfer amounts, it was roughly 150 / 200 meg (three raid zones). Tomorrow I'll be playing roughly 2hrs and just doing a group instance, so i'll post those transfer amounts as well. The more data points you can gather the better the extrapolation.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>oafgirl wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm going to have to be hospitalized for a couple of weeks in mid-July -- nothing serious, mainly to keep my feet up to aid circulation and wound healing -- and this time the doc said I could bring my laptop.  That's all well and good for a little while, but without internet access -- and more importantly, *Norrathian* access -- I will be an unhappy camper most of those two weeks.</p><p>I'm looking into pay-as-you-go mobile broadband, but all plans (even the contract ones) seem to have a limit of 5GB of bandwidth per month.  The tech guys at the store knew how to translate into how much streaming video one could do, but no one had a clue about gaming.</p><p>I am not a raider, my most advanced character is in the high 30s -- I do a certain amount of tradeskilling and decorating -- and lots of harvesting to support my TS habits....  Oh, and I'm on Antonia Bayle, so I do a lot of roleplaying.  (I figure standing around talking couldn't take *that* much bandwidth, but what do I know?)  Anyway, is there some average number I can use to determine about how many hours of playing would approach my monthly limit?</p></blockquote><p>while mobile broadband is not the ideal method becasue of the built in latency and possible signal issues if you need to go this route take a look and see if a provider by the name of Cricket is available in your area, they actaully still have unlimited connectivity listed at a reasonable price. Would suggest checking connectivity and see if anyone you know uses them.</p><p><a href="http://www.mycricket.com/">http://www.mycricket.com/</a></p><p>Might work for what you need</p>

[Skywarrior]

<p>I use Sprint Wireless broadband service because I am out in the country with no other real options than wireless and satellite.  My wife and I are retired and spend an inordinate amount of time on the internet, sharing the connection with three computers on a home LAN.  We usually have both EQ2 and SWG (my wife's game) going for a fair number of hours every day, plus normal browsing time and whatnot.  I raid four nights per week in EQ2 plus normal adventure play.  Between my wife and I there is at least one mmorpg running easily over ten hours per day, sometimes more.  I also manage two volunteer websites from my home computer, updating files as necessary and monitoring activity.  According to my account information I have used 6.6 gb of bandwidth in the 18 days of this service period. </p><p>Unless there is a really big patch or you decide you just have to watch a streaming movie or two, you should be fine for a two week period in the hospital on 5 gb. </p><p>Hope that helps.</p>

[Ironcleaver]

<p>Just updating like I said I would - played 2hrs today (heroic instance) from a freash boot and my total received packets is roughly 18 meg.</p>

[oafgirl]

<p>Thanks for the help!  It's looking like I can fit my Norrathian adventures into the bandwidth allowance -- no raiding, just grouping at the most.  And a lot of just standing around and talking or tradeskilling or decorating.</p><p>I also play EQ -- but I'm thinking with the less complex graphics, it wouldn't be much of an issue.  I won't be raiding there, either -- I have a couple levels and lots of AAs to earn before my raid guild lets me back.</p><p>Sadly, Cricket is not available in my area, but thanks for the suggestion.  I'm looking at the Virgin offering at the moment.  Verizon wants waaaaay too much for the modem for pay-as-you-go.</p>

[Ironcleaver]

<p>something to keep in mind as well - when I was in the hospital last year, I had access to a phone line. They said they wouldn't have a problem with me hooking up a modem for internet access. Sadly I do not have a laptop ;-/ Longest 5 days of my life. Dial-up isnt super fast but might be fine for what you need.</p>

[Skywarrior]

<p><cite>Ironcleaver wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>something to keep in mind as well - when I was in the hospital last year, I had access to a phone line. They said they wouldn't have a problem with me hooking up a modem for internet access. Sadly I do not have a laptop ;-/ Longest 5 days of my life. Dial-up isnt super fast but might be fine for what you need.</p></blockquote><p>Yep, I played for years on dialup.  Wife and I even shared a dialup connect with EQ, SWG, Daoc, WoW, and Earth and Beyond.  EQ2 is fine over dialup except for raiding.  These games really don't require that much bandwidth unless you are raiding or PvPing. </p>

[Mysstie]

I run DU Meter which tracks my bandwidth use.. and my total bandwidth use last month (up and down combined) was 5.3GB but this included everything I did online which includes watching videos, streaming live shows, working on websites, etc. Whatever I did on 27th used up 995 MB. On July 1st I used up 121 MB. So I think a 5 Gig limit per month won't be a problem. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />