It seems like every other day we are bombarded with "We have more 3G coverage" or "We have fast 3G speeds!" It is quite tiring actually to listen to all of this noise as a technologist and avid mobile user. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for the average non-technology person with a mobile phone or smart phone. Newsflash, it's only going to get worst. We have already begun to see the smatterings of newer 4G technology with Sprint. Verizon is due out in the fall with their LTE network followed by AT&T and others.

So what does that really mean for the person who has one of the new iPhones or Android Phones? Think about this. With faster speeds and bigger pipes to deliver data to your more powerful phones, what is the natural result? You will use more data than you do today.

It would be like a popular fast-food chain offering the same calories flavor and taste in a pill. The less filling, pill would make it easier to consume more. The downside. You hit eligibility status for The Biggest Loser TV show 4x faster than you would otherwise. Easy and fast, but before you know it you are paying for it and it hurts.

Aside from the hard-core mobile phone users who choose to stream music in the Pandora application or watch full length movies over the cellular network, the rest of us who consume a fair amount of data need to be aware of one very important thing.... we have to start being aware of what we do and how much data we consume.

Contrary to what these carriers want you to focus on, it really isn't all about the cellular networks. What really matters is understanding when and where to get your data from based on what it is you want to do. These days almost every "smart phone" or modern mobile device gives you access to the same on-line data through your cell carriers data network, or through Wireless networks or WiFi. There are pros and cons to each, but if you understand which to use with what type of data you want to access, you can save yourself money as well as headaches in the long run and not really be too concerned as to whether or not your data comes from 3G or 4G when you are out and about.

Essentially, we need to look at our own behavior and modify that to get the most out of your fancy new device. Way back when AT&T was offering an "Unlimited" data plan, it didn't really matter much to sit at your desk and listen to on-line radio all day. You paid one price for All-You-Can-Eat data. Other carriers had various limits to the amount of data they would allow in a "Unlimited" type plan. That cap, even today generally at 5 Gigabytes of data. At that limit you're paying around $60 ~ $75 a month just for data! That's insane.

What you should begin with is understanding your current usage over time. AT&T for example, gives you the opportunity to look up your monthly data usage of a date range. If it seems steep, you should then break your data usage into two separate types.

1. Data that is primarily text based (Foursquare, Twitter, facebook wall postings & commenting, email etc.)
2. Data that is "heavy" (Pictures, videos or music streaming.)

For the text based data, don't worry about limiting yourself too much. Your 3G/4G cellular data service should be able to handle this not only quickly, but also cheaply. For those data hogs in number 2, save that for when you are at home connected to your wireless access point (WiFi) or when you have access on the road to a location with WiFi access. Hotels, coffee shops and book stores are a good place to fine WiFi hotspots to duck into. This might sound a bit extreme, but it will get you to start thinking about how you manage your data usage.

Going forward, with the amount of power and speed the current mobile devices are delivering, access to data will begin to come quick, fast and in a hurry. Cellular carriers are hoping that with these tiered plans, combined with you not paying attention to how much data you consume, the overages and other fees will begin to add up. I personally don't want to take more from my own pocket to feed another company. I simply want the access. Outside of that, I am responsible for how much I pay. I will always seek a WiFi Hotspot over using my 3G data connection when possible. Do you?