What Does Cox Mean By Data Usage

Data cap, information allowance, data usage—whatever you telephone call it, the limit your internet service provider (ISP) puts on your internet usage can be a real hurting and a big expense.

We've gathered cyberspace data cap information for every major ISP in the US to arm you against potential overage charges. Read on to discover which ISPs take unlimited high-speed internet and learn how to avoid fees from providers with data caps.

Summary of internet provider data caps

Data current as of mail date. Data allowances and charges are discipline to alter.

Is i TB of data enough?

Although we at CableTV.com tend to agree with net providers that one TB (1,024 GB) of information is more than plenty to concluding most customers for a month, that'due south condign less true by the day.

If y'all love online gaming, smart domicile tech, and streaming 4K Ultra HD movies, breaking the data limit is easier than you'd think.

The simplest solution to internet data caps is signing up with a provider that has unlimited information. Enter your zip code below and compare your results to the table above to observe the best data allowance in your area.

What are data caps on internet?

Internet data caps are the limits your provider puts on how much y'all tin apply the internet each month. Everything you do on the internet from streaming Netflix to scrolling through social media requires information—use your internet service too much, and you might hit the limit.

Other names for data caps include "off-white use policy," "monthly usage allowance," and "bandwidth cap." But "bandwidth cap" is a bit of a misnomer because most net providers won't slow—or throttle—your speeds if y'all surpass the limit.

Instead, your provider will unremarkably send a warning when you've neared and passed your usage limit, and then you'll receive overage charges on your next bill.

The exceptions to this rule are satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat, which offer plans based on data caps, not varying download speeds. Afterwards you attain the data limit with these providers, you'll still exist able to use your internet service, just your Isp will throttle your speed.

What happens when you reach your data cap?

Once you accomplish your cyberspace data cap, look out for overage charges—net providers regularly provide 50 GB chunks of additional data for $ten a pop. But some providers may instead slow your net speeds or cut your cyberspace admission off entirely until the adjacent month.

Want to know how your specific internet provider handles data cap overages? We answer this question in depth in each provider department below.

Why do providers use data caps?

The short (and skeptical) reason why internet providers utilize data caps is because they tin.

The longer explanation is that ISPs tin can only produce and so much cyberspace bandwidth and capacity. Because ISPs recognize their limits, they try to discourage users from using too much data, which might slow internet speeds for other users.

As a result, many providers call their data policies "off-white use policies," emphasizing that the aim is to provide better net service for their customers beyond the board.

Merely some ISPs enforce unrealistically small data caps rather than updating their infrastructure to back up mod cyberspace usage. On a information cap plan below 600 GB, even watching a few hours of Netflix a day and scrolling through Instagram can accident through your allowance, and your Isp might slap yous with a huge fine or even upgrade your plan without consulting you.

If that sounds scary, expect for ISPs that offer "unlimited" plans. These plans often encourage users to stay below 1,024 GB of data, only they'll accomplish out on a case-by-case basis to communicate with private users who are causing problems for the rest of the network.

And that's not something you should worry nigh unless you're streaming 4K Ultra HD all day or torrenting huge files. (If you don't know what torrenting is, don't worry—that's a guarantee you're not doing it.)

What uses upwards the most data?

Everything from email to online gaming takes up information, but unless yous're regularly downloading massive files, streaming TV probably puts the heaviest strain on your information usage.

Netflix claims streaming Full Hd uses 3 GB per 60 minutes and 4K Ultra HD uses seven GB per 60 minutes. With the common data cap of 1 TB (i,024 GB), y'all can stream about 333 hours in Full HD or 143 hours in 4K Ultra HD per month. That's plenty of information if yous don't accept a big household or if y'all're not a legendary-level binge-watcher.

Consider what one month might look like with a household of 4 Tv lovers:

1 unwinds some evenings with Stumptown. (7 hours)
Some other is re-watching all of Game of Thrones. (74 hours)
A tertiary watches a couple of hours of anime every night. (60 hours)
A quaternary keeps up on the newest Netflix series every weekend. (40 hours)

That puts the household at a full of 181 hours. Assuming they're watching in Total HD, that'due south simply over half a 1,024 GB limit. Even with adding on some video chats, game downloads, and browsing, these TV lovers volition likely finish the month well under their information cap.

But if your household has more people, watches 4K content, or binges more TV than this, you lot should seriously consider a loftier-speed net plan with unlimited information.

Do all brands have information caps?

Many ISPs limit data usage, but not all of them practice. With cyberspace technology advancing, some providers are raising their information ceilings, offer unlimited high-speed net plans, or eliminating caps birthday.

Earlier you decide on an cyberspace provider, double-check that it'due south available in your area. Enter your zip lawmaking beneath to meet your options. (We don't proceed your personal info or pass information technology on to anyone else.)

Data caps by internet provider

Astound Broadband—unlimited
AT&T—1,024 GB–unlimited
CenturyLink—Unlimited
Cox—1,280 GB–unlimited
Frontier—unlimited
Optimum—unlimited
Spectrum—unlimited
Verizon Fios—unlimited
Xfinity—1,228 GB–unlimited

Astound Broadband information caps

All plans: unlimited

Overage accuse: none

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Does Astound Broadband have data caps?

Astound Broadband powered past RCN doesn't have data caps. All of its plans come with unlimited data.

In 2021, nosotros gave Astound Broadband our Editor's Pick award for best inexpensive net. If you live in and around New York Metropolis, Astound Broadband is a great provider. Enter your nothing code below to encounter if Astound Broadband is bachelor in your neighborhood.

AT&T data caps

AT&T Cyberspace: i,024 GB
AT&T Cobweb: unlimited
$30/mo. improver: unlimited

Overage accuse: $10 for each fifty GB block of additional data

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Does AT&T have information caps?

AT&T Cyberspace plans have a information cap of 1,024 GB, simply you tin can get unlimited data with a $30-per-month unlimited usage add-on. AT&T Cobweb plans, which offering internet through AT&T's fiber-optic network, all come with unlimited data.

And if you happen to have AT&T's rare DSL or fixed wireless plans, those ones can have smaller caps.

What happens if I exceed my AT&T data assart?

For the starting time two beak periods y'all go over, you'll receive notices but no charge. In the tertiary period, you'll receive three alert notices, and so you'll receive additional 50 GB allowances—for $10 a pop.

Each month thereafter, AT&T can fine you a maximum of $100 in overage charges if you're on a normal AT&T Net programme. DSL and stock-still wireless net customers can rack up as much as $200 in overages.

How practice I track my AT&T data usage?

AT&T provides an estimate of how much data you've used when you log into your account. After the first beak menstruation you go over your data limit, AT&T will send you electronic mail notices when you use 65%, 90%, and 100% of your data.

Buckeye Broadband data caps

Starter: 250 GB
Essential Cyberspace: unlimited
Ultimate Internet: unlimited
$15/mo. add together-on: boosted 250 GB
$thirty/mo. add-on: unlimited

Overage charge: $10 for each 50 GB block of additional data

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Does Buckeye Broadband have data caps?

Buckeye Broadband's Starter internet plan comes with a tiny 250 GB data cap, only yous'll get unlimited data on its other plans.

You tin too purchase more information each calendar month: either $15 for 250 GB or $30 for unlimited data. But since the Essential Internet programme comes with unlimited information and is but $20 per month more than the Starter plan for new customers, y'all're improve off making the spring to the next bundle.

What happens if I exceed my Buckeye Broadband data allowance?

Buckeye Broadband charges $10 for you to access each additional block of l GB data. Even if you use simply a little of a 50 GB block, you'll nevertheless have to pay for the whole amount.

How do I track my Buckeye Broadband data usage?

To track your usage, log into your account. Buckeye Broadband will send you alerts when you're nearing your limit.

CenturyLink data caps

All plans: unlimited

Overage charge: none

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Does CenturyLink accept data caps?

Users of CenturyLink'south Cobweb and Simply Unlimited Internet get unlimited data—and so do folks in CenturyLink's low-income household programs.

Cox data caps

All plans: 1,280 GB
$29.99/mo. add-on: boosted 500 GB
$49.99/mo. add-on: unlimited

Overage accuse: $ten for each 50 GB block of additional data

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Does Cox cyberspace have data caps?

All of Cox'due south internet plans come up with a 1,280 GB information cap. However, you can buy an additional 500 GB for $29.99 per month or unlimited information for $49.99 per calendar month.

What happens if I exceed my Cox data allowance?

If you go over your data cap, Cox will supply yous with additional 50 GB data blocks, which volition cost you $ten apiece.

How practise I runway my Cox data usage?

Sign into your account or use your Cox Connect App to access your data usage meter. At 85%, 100%, and 125% usage, Cox will send you text letters and electronic mail alerts to let you know.

Frontier information caps

Most plans: unlimited

Overage accuse: none

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Does Borderland accept data caps?

Frontier Fiber doesn't cap information on the majority of its net plans. Nevertheless, if you have access to merely Borderland'southward satellite net plans, you'll have an assigned data allowance. You lot can find it by post-obit the link and checking under "Frontier Broadband Fair Access Policy – Satellite."

What happens if I exceed my Frontier data allowance?

If you accept Frontier satellite internet and go over your assigned information allowance, your speeds will exist reduced. You can purchase and assign Restore Tokens to remove speed restrictions by calling a Borderland customer service agent at 877-451-1801.

Google Fiber data caps

All plans: unlimited

Overage charge: none

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Does Google Fiber take information caps?

No, Google Cobweb doesn't have data caps.

To see if Google Fiber with unlimited information is bachelor in your area, enter your nix code beneath.

HughesNet data cap

15 GB: slows afterwards 15 GB
30 GB: slows after 30 GB
45 GB: slows after 45 GB
75 GB: slows subsequently 75 GB

Overage charge: none

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Does HughesNet have data caps?

While HughesNet has no hard information limits, each package is based on a distinct data cap. Inside your data allowance, your internet speeds tin attain as high equally 25 Mbps. But after y'all reach the information cap, your speeds will slow to around 1 Mbps–3 Mbps.

What happens if I exceed my HughesNet data allowance?

HughesNet will throttle your speeds for the rest of the month if you exceed your data allowance. Nevertheless, all plans come with an additional 50 GB of total-speed data you can use only during 2 a.m.–8 a.m., so your Netflix watching might have to wait for a late-night marathon.

How do I track my HughesNet data usage?

Log into your HughesNet account to rails your data usage.

Mediacom data caps

Cyberspace 100: 200 GB
Internet 200: 1,000 GB
Internet 400: 2,000 GB
1 Gig Internet: 6,000 GB

Overage accuse: $10 for each l GB block of additional data

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Does Mediacom have data caps?

Mediacom has five different data caps, starting at 200 GB. Each of its plans has a significantly higher data cap than the i earlier, so if you're running into overage problems, upgrading your programme may exist your best solution.

What happens if I go over my Mediacom data allowance?

Mediacom charges $ten for each additional block of 50 GB data.

How practise I runway my Mediacom data usage?

At that place will be an cyberspace usage meter when y'all log into your Mediacom account.

Optimum data caps

Unlimited

Overage accuse: none

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Does Optimum have information caps?

Optimum doesn't accept information caps. If any customer uses excessive amounts of data, posing a threat to the internet feel of others, Optimum deals with it on a case-by-example basis.

FYI: we gave Optimum our Editor'due south Choice award for best no-contract internet in 2021. Enter your naught lawmaking below to run into if you tin get unlimited data with no contract through Optimum.

Sparklight information caps

Internet 25: 100 GB
Internet 200: 700 GB
Internet 300: 1,200 GB
Cyberspace 500: 1,500 GB
Internet Gig: unlimited
$30/mo. add-on: unlimited

Overage accuse: Sparklight will provide y'all upward to 4 blocks of 100 GB per month for gratis, but may brand y'all upgrade to a larger data plan if you proceed going over.

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Does Sparklight (formerly CableOne) take information caps?

Sparklight'due south data caps are restrictively pocket-size. Its first plan has a limits of 100 GB, which doesn't even come close to offering enough data to back up modernistic net usage. But you can add unlimited data to your programme for an extra $xxx per month.

What happens if I exceed my Sparklight data allowance?

If you go over your tiny Sparklight data cap, Sparklight will provide you another 100 GB upwards to four times a calendar month—no charge. But after that, Sparklight volition throttle your speed.

Fifty-fifty if you have unlimited data with Sparklight, you'll get the same speed-throttled treatment if you go over five TB of data for the month.

If you exceed your data cap too oft, Sparklight will automatically move you lot to a higher plan. And yes, that's without your go-ahead, since you "hold" to it when yous sign up. No, we don't like information technology either.

How do I track my Sparklight data usage?

Sparklight offers a usage meter through your customer portal.

Spectrum information caps

All plans: unlimited

Overage charge: none

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Does Spectrum have data caps?

All Spectrum net plans come with unlimited data.

Spectrum internet is pretty solid, but where Spectrum excels is Television service. In fact, we gave Spectrum TV our Editor'due south Pick award for best value in 2021. To see if Spectrum internet and TV service is available in your boondocks, enter your zip code below.

Verizon Fios information caps

All plans: unlimited

Overage charge: none

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Does Verizon Fios have data caps?

You won't see whatever Verizon data caps hither—Verizon's internet plans come up with unlimited data, although there accept been reports of Verizon contacting individual users when they go through an excessive amount of data (think multiple thousands of GB).

That said, we think Verizon is the best overall Isp in 2021. Enter your nothing code below to meet if Verizon Fios is available in your hometown.

Viasat information caps

Bones plans: slow afterward xv GB
Bronze plans: boring afterward 35, 40, or 80 GB
Silver plans: tedious afterward 45, 60, 100, or 120 GB
Gilded plans: wearisome afterward 65, 100, or 200 GB
Platinum plans: deadening after 150 or 300 GB

Overage accuse: none

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Does Viasat have data caps?

Viasat (formerly Exede) data caps vary not only past plan just as well by area. Your Viasat data cap could exist anywhere from fifteen GB to 300 GB.

What happens if I go over my Viasat data allowance?

Viasat won't charge you overage fees, but depending on your programme, it may throttle your speeds, restrict your service, or ask you lot to transition to another service programme.

How do I track my Viasat data usage?

Xfinity data caps

Most plans: ane,228 GB
Gigabit Pro: unlimited
$30 addition: unlimited

Overage accuse: $10 for each 50 GB cake of boosted information

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Does Xfinity take data caps?

Most Xfinity plans have a 1,228 GB GB data cap. However, y'all can purchase an unlimited information option for an additional $30.00 per calendar month.

What happens if I go over my Xfinity data allowance?

You won't be billed for the outset 2 months you exceed 1,228 GB GB, but afterward that, Xfinity volition charge you $10 for every additional 50 GB of data, up to a total of $100 each calendar month.

How exercise I track my Xfinity data usage?

To monitor your usage, log into your Xfinity account or mobile app. Yous'll too receive in-browser notices and emails when you're nearing your data limit.

Our terminal take

Most users don't go through enough information to notice their net data cap at all, but if you have a lot of people in your home who all stream Hard disk drive shows for hundreds of hours each month, you'll desire a big data assart.

Quite a few of the major internet providers listed above offer unlimited information, and then bank check your options. Enter your aught code below to run across which of those providers have networks well-nigh you.

Methodology

We researched the fine print for each provider'south internet contract and analyzed how each provider's data cap policy worked. Nosotros broke downwardly which provider plans included information caps and when you'll need to watch out for expensive overage charges.

For more than information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.

Internet data cap FAQ

Is home Wi-Fi unlimited?

You won't use your phone data while you're on home Wi-Fi, just y'all'll nonetheless apply your internet service data. Data plans for internet vary profoundly, so check our table to a higher place or enquire your internet provider to meet how much information your net service plan allows.

What is an cyberspace bandwidth cap?

"Internet bandwidth cap" is a misnomer—the correct term is data cap. Data caps are a limit internet providers put on how much information you can admission from the cyberspace on a monthly basis.