Internet Provider Data Caps Guide

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

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

Jump to:

• Side-by-side comparison
• Data caps explained
• Data caps by internet provider

Summary of internet provider data caps

Data current as of post date. Data allowances and charges are subject to change.

Is 1 TB of data enough?

Although we at CableTV.com tend to agree with internet providers that 1 TB (1,024 GB) of data is more than enough to last most customers for a month, that’s becoming less true by the day.

If you love online gaming, smart home 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 data. Enter your zip code below and compare your results to the table above to find 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 you can use the internet each month. Everything you do on the internet from streaming Netflix to scrolling through social media requires data—use your internet service too much, and you might hit the limit.

Other names for data caps include “fair use policy,” “monthly usage allowance,” and “bandwidth cap.” But “bandwidth cap” is a bit of a misnomer because most internet providers won’t slow—or throttle—your speeds if you surpass the limit.

Instead, your provider will usually 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 which offers plans based on data caps, not varying download speeds. After you reach the data limit with these providers, you’ll still be able to use your internet service, but your ISP will throttle your speed.

What happens when you reach your data cap?

Once you reach your internet data cap, look out for overage charges—internet providers regularly provide 50 GB chunks of additional data for $10 a pop. But some providers may instead slow your internet speeds or cut your internet access off entirely until the next month.

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

Why do providers use data caps?

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

The longer explanation is that ISPs can only produce so much internet 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 “fair use policies,” emphasizing that the aim is to provide better internet service for their customers across the board.

But some ISPs enforce unrealistically small data caps rather than updating their infrastructure to support modern internet usage. On a data cap plan below 600 GB, even watching a few hours of Netflix a day and scrolling through Instagram can blow through your allowance, and your ISP might slap you with a huge fine or even upgrade your plan without consulting you.

If that sounds scary, look for ISPs that offer “unlimited” plans. These plans often encourage users to stay below 1,024 GB of data, but they’ll reach out on a case-by-case basis to communicate with individual users who are causing issues for the rest of the network.

And that’s not something you should worry about 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 up the most data?

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

Netflix claims streaming Full HD uses 3 GB per hour and 4K Ultra HD uses 7 GB per hour. With the common data cap of 1 TB (1,024 GB), you can stream about 333 hours in Full HD or 143 hours in 4K Ultra HD per month. That’s plenty of data if you don’t have a large household or if you’re not a legendary-level binge-watcher.

Consider what one month might look like with a household of four TV lovers:

1. One unwinds some evenings with Stumptown. (7 hours)
2. Another is re-watching all of Game of Thrones. (74 hours)
3. A third watches a couple of hours of anime every night. (60 hours)
4. A fourth keeps up on the newest Netflix series every weekend. (40 hours)

That puts the household at a total of 181 hours. Assuming they’re watching in Full HD, that’s just over half a 1,024 GB limit. Even with adding on some video chats, game downloads, and browsing, these TV lovers will likely finish the month well under their data cap.

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

Do all brands have data caps?

Many ISPs limit data usage, but not all of them do. With internet technology advancing, some providers are raising their data ceilings, offering unlimited high-speed internet plans, or eliminating caps altogether.

Before you decide on an internet provider, double-check that it’s available in your area. Enter your zip code below to see your options. (We don’t keep your personal info or pass it 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—1.2 TB

Does AT&T have data caps?

AT&T Internet plans have a data cap of 1,024 GB, but you can get unlimited data with a $30-per-month unlimited usage add-on. AT&T Fiber plans, which offer internet through AT&T’s fiber-optic network, all come with unlimited data.

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

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

For the first two bill periods you go over, you’ll receive notices but no charge. In the third period, you’ll receive three warning notices, and then 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 Internet plan. DSL internet customers can rack up as much as $200 in overages.

How do 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 bill period you go over your data limit, AT&T will send you email notices when you use 65%, 90%, and 100% of your data.

Does CenturyLink have data caps?

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

Does Cox internet have data caps?

All of Cox’s internet plans come with a 1,280 GB data cap. However, you can purchase an additional 500 GB for $29.99 per month or unlimited data for $49.99 per month.

What happens if I exceed my Cox data allowance?

If you go over your data cap, Cox will supply you with additional 50 GB data blocks, which will cost you $10 apiece.

How do I track 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 messages and email alerts to let you know.

Does Frontier have data caps?

Frontier Fiber doesn’t cap data on the majority of its internet plans. However, if you have access to only Frontier’s satellite internet plans, you’ll have an assigned data allowance. You can find it by following the link and checking under “Frontier Broadband Fair Access Policy – Satellite.”

What happens if I exceed my Frontier data allowance?

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

Does Google Fiber have data caps?

No, Google Fiber doesn’t have data caps.

To see if Google Fiber with unlimited data is available in your area, enter your zip code below.

Does Hughesnet have data caps?

While Hughesnet has no hard data limits, each package is based on a distinct data cap. Within your data allowance, your internet speeds can reach as high as 100 Mbps. But after you reach the data 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. However, all plans come with an additional 50 GB of full-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 track your data usage.

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 one before, so if you’re running into overage problems, upgrading your plan may be your best solution.

What happens if I go over my Mediacom data allowance?

Mediacom charges $10 for each additional block of 50 GB data.

How do I track my Mediacom data usage?

There will be an internet usage meter when you log into your Mediacom account.

Does Optimum have data caps?

Optimum doesn’t have data caps. If any customer uses excessive amounts of data, posing a threat to the internet experience of others, Optimum deals with it on a case-by-case basis.

FYI: we gave Optimum our Editor’s Choice award for best no-contract internet in 2021. Enter your zip code below to see if you can get unlimited data with no contract through Optimum.

Does Sparklight (formerly CableOne) have data caps?

Sparklight’s data caps are restrictively small. Its first plan has a limits of 100 GB, which doesn’t even come close to offering enough data to support modern internet usage.

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 up to 4 times a month—no charge. But after that, Sparklight will throttle your speed.

Even if you have unlimited data with Sparklight, you’ll get the same speed-throttled treatment if you go over 5 TB of data for the month.

If you exceed your data cap too often, Sparklight will automatically move you to a higher plan. And yes, that’s without your go-ahead, since you “agree” to it when you sign up. No, we don’t like it either.

How do I track my Sparklight data usage?

Sparklight offers a usage meter through your customer portal.

Does Spectrum have data caps?

All Spectrum internet plans come with unlimited data.

Spectrum internet is pretty solid, but where Spectrum excels is TV service. In fact, we gave Spectrum TV our Editor’s Choice award for best value in 2021. To see if Spectrum internet and TV service is available in your town, enter your zip code below.

Does Verizon Fios have data caps?

You won’t see any Verizon data caps here—Verizon’s internet plans come with unlimited data, although there have 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 zip code below to see if Verizon Fios is available in your hometown.

Does Viasat have data caps?

Viasat no longer has plans with data caps, but its “unlimited data” isn’t fully unlimited. Although Viasat’s one plan has unlimited data, they could slow your internet down during high-traffic periods if you’re nearing the monthly cap of 850 GB of data.

What happens if I go over my Viasat data allowance?

Viasat won’t charge you overage fees, but they may slow your internet down if you use more than 850 GB of data in a month.

How do I track my Viasat data usage?

You can track your usage through your online Viasat account.

*Prices and availability vary by location. Installation fees, monthly equipment lease fees, and taxes may apply.

Does Xfinity have data caps?

Xfinity’s data caps for most plans are 1.2 TB. However, you can purchase an unlimited data option for an additional $30.00 per month.

What happens if I go over my Xfinity data allowance?

You won’t be billed for the first two months you exceed 1.2 TB, but after that, Xfinity will charge you $10 for every additional 50 GB of data, up to a total of $100 each month.

How do I track my Xfinity data usage?

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

Our final take

Most users don’t go through enough data to notice their internet data cap at all, but if you have a lot of people in your home who all stream HD shows for hundreds of hours each month, you’ll want a big data allowance.

Quite a few of the major internet providers listed above offer unlimited data, so check your options. Enter your zip code below to see which of those providers have networks near you.

Internet data cap FAQ

Methodology

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

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