Usage Alerting

[Seraphsailor]

First post here so be gentle!

I wanted to know the best way to receive alerts re my GB and/or Openzone monthly utilisation (so maybe alert me at 80%). Because we use 2 laptops then the information needs to be accessable/queryable from my central account data. I couldn't see how this could be achieved from my account management data so I passed the question to BT support with the response:

You can track your actual usage on the access manager itself under Alert, usage and then status. You can enter how much data you would like an alert on and this will let you know when you have gone over your allowance each month.

Whilst it's not the best solution it is one option (set both laptops to alert at 40% and then do a cumulative usage check on the first alert). I can easily see my usage history but can anyone tell me where the Alert function is within Access Manager cos I can't find it! (no reference to Alerts  or Status in the help function)

Cheers,

Steve

[Naishy]

Steve,

I assume you are using BT Access Manager with BT Business Mobile Broadband. This being the case, the tarrif provides you with unlimited mobile data and Wi-Fi usage (subject to a fair usage policy). Therefore you shouldn't need to worry about your data usage.

BT Access Manager does not provide the facility to set alerts on data usage because there isn't an upper limit on usage. The helpdesk may have been confusing it with BT Connection Manager, where users are given 1GB per month and can set alerts to monitor this usage.

Tim

[Seraphsailor]

Hi Naishy,

yes it's BTBMB. Surely an oxymoron to say "unlimited" (but subject to fair usage) as fair usage overrides unlimited. Why can I say this? Just received this from another BT support area:

Currently you have used 729mg this month out of a total of 3072mg. Leaving 2343mg left until xxxxx.

On your access manager if you select the expand icon at the top (like expanding web page) then select the bottom right icon there will be an area where you can set usage alert, for when you have used up a certain amount of this data.

So I do have a limit and I would like to manage and be aware of utilisation (especially as we use 2-3 laptops) and Access Manager can only report on the host laptop. Also note another reference to setting usage alert within Access Manager.

The ideal would be for me to log onto my BT account and see usage - in the same way BT can give me the detail above - but this facility isn't available. 😞

[Naishy]

Steve,

A Reasonable Business usage policy applies and can be found here.

Reasonable Business usage policy:

BT Mobile Data and BT Openzone are subject to our reasonable business use policy. To ensure quality of service for all customers, it is expected that you will not exceed a reasonable business use limit of:

a) 3072MB of BT Mobile Data (GPRS/3G/HSDPA networks) sent and received per connection per month;

b) 4000 BT Openzone minutes per connection per month.

The information you have been provided about BT Access Manager is incorrect. BT Access Manager does not currently contain alert functionality. Unfortunately usage information for BTBMB is not currently available to customers, although it can be obtained from the helpdesks.

Tim

[Seraphsailor]

Hi Tim,

thanks for that; you've confirmed my understanding; ie to get a current usage statement I need to request info from 2 support desks; one for dongle (3GB) and the other from Openzone (wifi).

My view; BT are a bit behind the times!

I have my account information and there is a page relating to SIM mobile calls by month. I don't make mobile calls from this account (so there will never be any data on this page). The SIM is in the dongle for network connection  - BT could easily change the page so I can see/track my usage!

BT can't do me e-billing (so auto email invoice to nominated e-mail)

+++++++++++

Lot's of pluses for connectivity and speed, both on dongle and Openzone; almost a 10 out of 10 situation 🙂

[Seraphsailor]

Tim,

can you help please. I've asked for my mobile dongle usage and for the 3rd time now BT support advise me to set an alert in Access Manager:

With regards to your query for usage it is easier if I advise u of another way.  If you are just using the Mobile Broadband for browsing then 1Gb is the equivalent of 400 minutes of browsing and so far this month you have only used 111 mins of browsing.

Also as well you keep an eye on the usage yourself via the access manager.  All you need to do is expand the access manager by using one of the buttons on the very top and then on the right hand side you can choose an option so you can get a warning advising of how much usage you have done for the month and the best one to choose is 80% so that way you know how close you are getting to the maximum usage.

so BT support when you read this tell me how to set an alert in Access Manager and please tell me my current monthly usage as I cannot achieve an accurate figure myself!

[Naishy]

Steve,

Sure. Can you tell me which helpdesk it was that told you this i.e. which email address?  I'll also make your request for a way of tracking usage known to the product team. I can't promise anything though, I'm afraid.

Tim

[Seraphsailor]

 Hi Tim;

for the information posted yesterday then btmobilesupport@bt.com

for this statement:

 On your access manager if you select the expand icon at the top (like expanding web page) then select the bottom right icon there will be an area where you can set usage alert, for when you have used up a certain amount of this data.

mobile.care@bt.com

for this statement:

You can track your actual usage on the access manager itself under Alert, usage and then status. You can enter how much data you would like an alert on and this will let you know when you have gone over your allowance each month.

Open zone you would need to speak to them as i don't know if this is for open zone too. 

 sme@bt.com

ROTFLMHO

Within Access Manager Help - under Settings it references setting usage alert - but for the life of me I cannot see a usage tab in Access Manager/Settings (latest version) in order to set this up.

The dongle/openzone service is good; Support could be improved significantly! As a business customer I have asked for my BT account manager to be identified to me (BT web says I should have an account manager) but still waiting.

Steve