Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2018 July 19

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July 19

Alexander the Great song

I’m looking for a children’s song about Alexander. Something kids would sing like ring around the Rosie. About how he was mean to his wives or something. Google is no help. Temerarius (talk) 03:49, 19 July 2018 (UTC)

The Horrible Histories (2009 TV series) has a song about Alexander. Mikenorton (talk) 07:36, 19 July 2018 (UTC)

Assuming the one by Iron Maiden is not suitable for kids (actually, I almost like it), this silly one might be. —2606:A000:1126:4CA:0:98F2:CFF6:1782 (talk) 07:56, 19 July 2018 (UTC)

Tethering vs Mobile broadband

I was looking at contract prices of mobile broadband compared to tethering, and was a little puzzled. Unlimited minutes phone contracts seem to have comparable amounts of data with which to use for tethering as mobile broadband contracts of a similar cost. As such, I have two contender explanations.

1. There is a technical advantage of mobile broadband if used as it is intended (meaning, for internet access).

   If this is the case, my follow up question is, "what?".

2. There is some marketing myth at play, that is, people believe they need mobile broadband over a phone contract with inclusive data.

   If this is the case, "why?".

Thanks. --Leon (talk) 10:25, 19 July 2018 (UTC)

I don't quite understand your question. But if providers are separating tethering and mobile data into different contracts, they are just trying to partition the market. It would be the same to them to provide data for either use. Some devices such as tablets with 3G card cannot use the phone call component, so it makes sense not to have a contract with phone calls for data only devices.

Also with tethering a provider might miss out on selling another contract for the extra tethered device(s), so they may be reluctant to permit this use.

A mobile data provider might have a contract with some companies like Facebook, getting a kickback by providing the service, but I don't know if this is the case. Tethering for Microsoft Windows can have unpleasant effects on data use as multi gigabyte downloads for software updates will occur. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 03:42, 21 July 2018 (UTC)

I think the OP is asking why someone would buy a mobile broadband plan when they could use a unlimited minute plan with the same amount of tethered data for the same effect. I don't know about the specifics of the plan in the areas the OP is thinking of, but I suspect part of the problem is the OP isn't thinking of it from the user's POV. While I'm sure some people should just use a tethered plan, for many it's going to be inconvenient that they won't want to or there's no reason or it may not even be allowed. I don't know for sure who is buying these plans but I suspect it's primarily several types of related customers.

Some would be those who's data usage or location means they use mobile data for their home internet instead of fibre, DSL, cable or something else. They may also travel a lot so find it better (see the later example). Tethering will often not work for these people, especially with multiple members of the household or if they simply want their home internet to be generally on even when away. They want a wifi AP with mobile broadband at their home rather than only having data when whoever's device it is with the tethering data being home. And further, if they're relying on that device it will affect battery life and maybe also performance. (Some people may even used a wired connection to the mobile broadband access point.)

Others may be using these only really for one device. This could include tablets and laptops. The phrasing of the OP's question makes me think it is possible to get plans with more data for a single device, so for tablets (e.g. iPad), this may be a better choice in their area. They probably won't come with minutes for the earlier reason. However the T&C may not allow these single device no tethering plans to be used in a dongle for a laptop (or simply a mini wifi AP), even if it's the only device that ever uses it. So it may very well be the best choice. Theoretically these people could not bother to have dedicated access for these devices and just rely on tethering data from their phone. Plenty of people do that. But but other than affecting battery life it can also be inconvenient enough that many especially those rich enough would prefer just to have a dedicated connection on that device.

Yet others may be using their mobile broadband for multiple devices when travelling etc using a portable mobile wifi AP. Again sure the person could tether their phone's data, but the inconvenience here is likely even greater. E.g. if the person who's data it is pop off to the store, the children and remaining spouse will now be without data.

For all 3 cases, for the reasons GB outlined, there is no advantage to them getting a minute plan with tethered data for whatever dongle or AP they're sticking it in. Actually, there's no guarantee their contract even allows them to use the SIM in a wifi AP device instead of a phone, even if it allows tethering. Also while high end phones have quite good speeds, not everyone have high end phones. A decent dongle or mobile broadband AP could potentially have better speeds, especially when you considering the additional limits from the tethering. I would add while I still don't know about the specifics in the OP's area, it's quite common that you can get plans for multiple devices so if you do have a high end plan for your phone, you may get some savings for whatever you choose for your other devices.

BTW while most of what GB said is quite relevant, I'm not sure about the Windows point. With latest Windows 10, you should be able to set a limited data connection to prevent most updates whether you're tethered to a phone, or connected to a mobile broadband device in some fashion. So if the amount of data is the same, it makes no difference which you use. Unless the mobile broadband connection has free Windows updates or something and the tethered does not.

Nil Einne (talk) 14:15, 21 July 2018 (UTC)