Why is the background data for my Internet App on my Nokia Lumia higher than actual data used?

[WPCentral Question]

First of all, what is background data and do you have to pay for it?

I never use my phone if it's not connect to wi-fi.
One day, I happened to be using the Data Sense app to see how much data I was using and I saw that the background data for the Internet was higher than the actual data used.

How is that possible? Please explain to me.

Thanks!

 

[realwarder]

Data Sense on my phone shows Cellular Data and Wi-Fi data. Not background data.

However Background data is typically data usage when you are not using the phone. E.g. a mail account checking for email. Or WhatsApp receiving a message.

 

[jsak1907]

So, the Internet can't really use background data?

 

[jglen_TNA]

No, background data is data used in the background. So its data used when email is 'pushed' to your phone or you get a facebook message with the app closed.
Its nothing to worry over, its your phones data connection working properly.
My Data Sense app doesn't show a background data count, but does seperate mobile and WiFi counts.