Extremely high 3G usage

[Photomegus]

I'm very new to smartphones.  I've previously been satisfied with my Nokia 6300 and a PDA, but succumbed over the weekend and now have an HTC Hero, tied to Orange. 

After some checking around I went for the 500 Mb bundle.  I set my incoming emails to a 5 Kb limit (Text only), and thought all would be well.  Now, after just 1 day with a 3G connection only (no WiFi available at work), I checked on my orange account to find I have used 400 Mb!  A friend has sent some V.Large files attached to some emails, but having preset the 5K limit I had thought these wouldn't be included.  They certainly haven't been downloaded to my phone.

Can anyone please advise me as to what is happening, and more to the point, what I can do about it?  All I want is to receive an indication of what emails have come in, with a brief description or a few words, so I can go and read them on a computer if they're important.

Somewhat worriedly,

Lewis

[AndroidMan]

I found the below on another site for Blackberry users, but the ideas may help you to. Look at what other apps besides the email which may be connecting.

From: http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/33240

1) Block data or internet from the server or network end e.g. global BES policies
2) Properly close any application after use by clicking on the menu and selecting exit. Letting programs run in the background may use data and will reduce battery life
3) Don’t download any automatic updating programs e.g. stock feeds, weather apps
4) Don’t tether to a computer and use as a wireless modem (also referred to as DUN, dial up networking)
5) Enable WiFi mode (if available) and utilize free WiFi locations for surfing
6) When in WiFi – ensure you have not lost the WiFi connection and have accidentally switched to regular cellular coverage. One recommendation is to turn off the cellular radio when in WiFi so your guaranteed no extra data fees
7) Save unnecessary web surfing for a regular desktop/laptop
Set up email filters to keep unwanted messages
9) Use WAP surfing rather then full HTML surfing
10) Remove/hide built in icons/applications which offer pay services e.g. iPhone apps store
11) Ensure smaller or simpler applications are used which are lower data consummators e.g Blackberry Maps uses 5 to 10 times less data then Google Maps
12) Use basic GPS & Maps rather then services like TeleNav which will consume more data
13) Limit the downloading of attachments like Word or Excel files for important and time sensitive reasons only
14) Choose “view only” rather then downloading a full attachment if that option is available
15) Do not surf to streaming video sites e.g. YouTube a rough/general rule of thumb is 1 min. of video equals 1 MB of data
16) Do not enable remote video viewing services/applications e.g. Sling box
17) Do not attach & send files from a device unless the attachment is residing on a remote server and you are just sending a command to send from the server rather then sending the whole document from the device. e.g. send via BIS rather then sending a Documents to Go file on the new Blackberries
18) Download applications through your desktop software rather then OTA (Over the Air)
19) Know your service plan and use other means of communication which may be part of your plan or free to use e.g. SMS, MMS, Pin to Pin, voice calls, emails
20) Have a meeting or 1 on 1 discussion with end users to inform/train and ensure understanding of how mobile data devices and services work and are charged.

[Photomegus]

Hi,

Thanks for that, I've learnt more in a few minutes than several hours following links on the internet. 

I found the reason for my concerns from Orange.  It seems that as I'd only bought into the bundle on Saturday, and my billing date is the 19th, they'd given me a (generous) pro rata allowance of 100 Mb to see me through.  I'd gone on line, where it shows the 500 Mb bundle, with 98 Mb remaining, all in a day!  Panic set in.  None the less, I'm astounded at how fast I can use this up without playing with the general Facebook etc.  Being a starry night, and having a brand new toy, I tried Google sky map this evening. That's relatively hungry.  You'd think the package could be run stand-alone, without reference to a data base else where, unless they're pulling my activity profile of course...

Anyway, the point being I'll be implementing a lot of these recommendations... once I learn what they all mean (Global BES Policies?), and how to implement them.  It will all come in time.

Thanks again,

Lewis