Data usage information

Will DreamLab use data from my mobile plan, or WiFi?

DreamLab needs data to download the tiny research problems from the cloud, and send the results back.

If your phone detects that WiFi is available, then DreamLab will work over WiFi. WiFi is automatically set to ‘unlimited’ but you can change this any time in the app Settings.

If WiFi is not available, then DreamLab will work over your mobile network, using data up to the monthly data contribution limit you have chosen (50MB, 250MB or 500MB). If you don’t want DreamLab to ever use your mobile data, you can set mobile data to 0MB in the app Settings.

For Vodafone Australia customers, it’s free to use DreamLab on the Vodafone network in Australia (but if you’re also contributing over WiFi, you’ll be charged as per your WiFi plan). Roaming incurs international rates.

For everyone else, you’ll be charged as per your mobile plan for the data you contribute.

Just be mindful, DreamLab works on a calendar month, which might not be in sync with your billing cycle. You can see when your DreamLab monthly cycle will restart in the app settings. DreamLab will pause when you reach the monthly data limit that you’ve chosen. At this point, you’ll be given the choice to increase your data contribution, turn on WiFi, or do nothing and DreamLab will resume again the next calendar month.

Roaming on a mobile network incurs international rates – including for Vodafone Australia customers.

How much data will DreamLab use?

It’s up to you. On your mobile network, you can choose to give up to 50MB, 250MB or 500MB a month. For WiFi, you can choose to give up to 250MB, 1GB or ‘unlimited’ a month. You can change how much data you contribute at any time in the DreamLab app Settings.

As a guide, 50MB is about the same as uploading 25 photos to social media a month. 500MB is approximately equivalent to streaming a video for 1.5 hours a month. 1GB is similar to streaming a video for 3 hours a month. You can see how much data DreamLab has used in the app settings, and when your DreamLab month will restart.

How much will it cost me to use DreamLab?

For Vodafone Australia customers, it’s free to use DreamLab on the Vodafone Australia network (but if you’re also contributing over WiFi, you’ll be charged as per your WiFi plan). Roaming incurs roaming rates – including for Vodafone Australia customers.

For everyone else, you’ll be charged for the data you contribute each month as per the plan you have with your mobile phone or WiFi provider. Just be mindful, DreamLab works on a calendar month, which might not be in sync with your billing cycle. You can see when your DreamLab month will restart in the app Settings.

Why can’t I give more data on my mobile plan?

At the moment, DreamLab users can give up to 500MB a month on their mobile network. Our users have told us this is the upper limit that they’re most comfortable with, but we’ll continue to monitor this.

Why does DreamLab need data to work?

Whilst you’re donating the processing power of your Smartphone, DreamLab needs data to download the tiny research problems from the cloud, and to send the results back. However you’re in total control and can choose how much you contribute each month on your mobile network, or on WiFi. You can change your monthly data contribution limit in the app Settings at any time.

How do I only use DreamLab over WiFi?

Go to the DreamLab app Settings, and set mobile data to 0MB.

How do I only use DreamLab over my mobile network?

Go to the DreamLab app Settings and turn WiFi off.

What happens when DreamLab has reached the monthly data contribution limit I’ve set?

When you reach the data limit you’ve set, DreamLab will give you the option to increase your data limit, or do nothing, and DreamLab will automatically start again the next month.

Can I specify the dates at which the monthly data contribution starts and ends?

No, not at the moment. Your DreamLab month is currently set to a calendar month.

My mobile phone provider has alerted me that I’m running low on data for my billing cycle. What should I do with DreamLab?

If you’re not with Vodafone Australia and you’re running low on mobile data you can turn off the mobile data contribution in the DreamLab app Settings so that DreamLab does not use any more mobile data.

If you’re with Vodafone Australia and receive an alert regarding your mobile usage, as it’s free to use DreamLab on the Vodafone Australia network in the Australia, so you can continue to use DreamLab without penalty.

I’m with Vodafone. How do I know I’m not being charged for the mobile data DreamLab uses?

For Vodafone Australia customers, the mobile data to use DreamLab is free on the Vodafone Australia network. It won’t even appear on your bill. It won’t count towards your monthly data allowance.

If you’ve chosen to also give over WiFi, then you’ll be charged for this data as per the plan you have with your WiFi provider. Roaming incurs roaming rates – including for Vodafone Australia customers.

I’m travelling overseas. What should I do with DreamLab?

Using DreamLab when roaming will incur international rates.

On Android devices, in the app Settings DreamLab is set to default OFF when roaming on a mobile network, which means if you are roaming, DreamLab won’t caluculate research problems using your mobile data. However if you have WiFi set to ON in the app Settings, DreamLab will continue to work on WiFi when overseas. If you’d like to not use DreamLab on WiFi when overseas, you can turn WiFi OFF in the app Settings.

On iOS devices, to avoid roaming charges, do not press ‘Power DreamLab’ to start the app whilst roaming. You can also turn the mobile data to 0MB in the app Settings.

I live overseas, can I still use DreamLab?

Yes, the DreamLab app can be downloaded from anywhere in the world. You’ll be charged as per your mobile or WiFi plan for the data you contribute, unless you’re with Vodafone Australia, in which case the mobile data to use DreamLab is free on the Vodafone Australia network.

Is the data I donate through DreamLab tax deductible?

You are contributing your Device’s computing power and a small amount of data which is required to download and upload the tiny research problems from the cloud to your handset. You are not making a tax-deductible donation to Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Vodafone Foundation or Garvan Institute of Medical Research will not issue a tax receipt for any contributions made through DreamLab.