Many cellular carriers proudly claim to have unlimited data plans, but that’s misleading: in many cases, you’ll face throttling once you pass a cap. You might have to pay extra to restore the service you expect, and features like hotspot tethering or cellular smartwatches might have their own restrictions.
As such, it’s as important as ever to manage your data usage, even if some “unlimited” plans are more forgiving than others. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep your use in check — and they won’t necessarily hurt your experience.
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Throttling can kill the joy
It might even land you in trouble
If your carrier throttles data speeds once you exceed a cap on an “unlimited” plan, it’s not just a hassle — in some cases, it can prevent you from using whole services. Google Fi limits you to 256Kbps, for instance, making music and video streaming largely impractical. You can use it to check your email or (slowly) browse the web, but not much else.
Some networks might not throttle you all the time, but will instead reduce the priority of your data traffic in busy locations. Mint Mobile, for example, will put you lower on the priority list once you cross a monthly threshold (currently 50GB). If you routinely go to concerts and sports matches, you could notice slowdowns.
And there are times when that data might be vital, not just a luxury. If you’re lost, a fully-functioning navigation app could mean the difference between driving home and an expensive tow. If you need to reach a loved one, you can see them instead of just hearing from them. And if you’ve ever needed to upload a photo for a travel app, you’ll know how torturous a slow connection can be.
You might lose data on other devices
Save hotspots for when you need them
Many wireless providers have separate data allotments for hotspots, so you don’t have to worry that tethering to your laptop will eat into your phone’s usual full-speed allowance.
That still means you have to manage usage, particularly given that your computer might be more data-hungry than your phone. If you’re regularly holding video meetings and streaming music while you work, you’re going to hit your cap that much sooner.
Some networks will let your other connected devices piggyback on your main plan, such as smartwatches and tablets. As convenient as that is, it makes thoughtful data management that much more important. You don’t want your phone service to slow to a crawl simply because you stream music through your watch during outdoor workouts.
Keeping full speed can get expensive
It’s not usually worth the premium
There can also be a hit to your bank account if you don’t manage your data usage. If you run past a soft data cap, you might have to pay for a more expensive plan to retain full speed (AT&T only stops watching phone data use with its Premium 2.0 and Elite 2.0 plans, for instance) or, with providers like Google Fi, pay an optional overage fee for the rest of the month.
If you’re careful with your data management, you can stick to an affordable plan and stop worrying about overage fees. This both saves you money and opens the door to budget carriers that might have a lower ceiling on their unlimited service. It’s also less stressful, as you won’t scramble to conserve data when money is tight.
How to manage data usage with unlimited plans
You don’t have to give up what you love
There are multiple ways to manage data usage while keeping a plan that feels unlimited — that is, you don’t have to cut back on the apps and services you enjoy.
The easiest solution is to connect to secure Wi-Fi whenever you can, whether it’s at home or a trustworthy hotel network. You’ll be using cellular data only when necessary, and you’ll have the added benefit of avoiding restrictions on media quality and hotspots.
When you do have to use cellular data, you can reduce your consumption by lowering the quality for streaming audio and video. Many carriers do this automatically (it’s common to stream 480p video on lower-priced plans), but you can also dip into the settings of apps like Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube to choose lower bitrates. If you don’t insist on ultra-sharp resolutions and crystal-clear music, why chew up the data they require?
Intelligent downloads and backups can also spare you headaches. If you’re going on a trip, download that TV show or music playlist before you leave — this will also help when you’re stuck offline. Limit automatic cloud backups (particularly for photos and videos) and app updates to when you’re on Wi-Fi. That frees your mobile data for those times you’ll truly appreciate it,
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
