What Consumers Say About Data Caps
- Arkansas – "We have had to unplug our modem to prevent going over our data cap. We have to take our kids to find public Wi-Fi to complete their school work. We can't afford $190 a month for unlimited internet."
- Nevada – "I'm a senior citizen on a very limited income and stuck at home due to a disability. I have a friend that I like to have video chats with but I've discovered it uses lots of data. I can't afford paying for an increased data limit so I'm stuck alone without the means to video chat for half the month."
- Michigan – "I provide telemedicine services with video for low income patients. These data caps mean I have to either spend more money each month for unlimited data or I am forced to cut how much time I can spend doing non-work things at home."
Read more than 600 data cap experiences shared with the FCC by consumers. [PDF]
Individuals and families across the country rely on their broadband connections for work, healthcare services, education, and social engagement. As more activities move online, people are consuming more data than ever before.
Data caps, or usage limits, are a common practice where an internet service provider (ISP) restricts how much bandwidth or data a consumer can use. Monthly service plans with a data cap may result in higher fees and/or slower speeds for subscribers if they exceed their usage limit.
To better understand the impact data caps have on consumers and competition, the FCC has invited consumers to share their experiences and released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI).
"Access to the internet is not a luxury. It is essential for modern life."
— FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel
In the NOI, the FCC explores why the use of data caps continues to persist; current trends in consumer data usage; the impact of data caps on consumers, consumers’ experience with data caps, and how consumers are informed about data caps on service offerings; as well as the impact of data caps on competition.
Share Your Experience With Data Caps
Share Your Experience With Data Caps form by visiting the FCC Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Center.
If you indicate that your story can be shared with the public on the FCC’s website, your story may become part of the record that will inform the FCC’s next steps to ensure consumers across the nation have meaningful access to internet services.
Learn more about the FCC rulemaking process here.
Data Caps and Broadband Labels
Consumers can check their current plan’s Broadband Consumer Label to see if their plan has a usage limit, or Data Cap. Each label includes a section – Data Included with Monthly Price – that explains the amount of data the plan provides before extra fees are charged or performance is decreased.
If the plan includes a data usage limit, the provider must disclose on the label any charges or reductions in service for any data used in excess of the amount included in the plan. This is typically displayed as a cost per gigabit. (For example, "$5/GB".) The label may also include a link to the provider's website with more details about their data usage limits and any costs for additional data.
Providers that offer home, or fixed, internet services, or mobile broadband plans are required to have a label for each standalone high-speed service plan they offer. Consumers should look for broadband labels at any point of sale, including online and in stores, and can contact their current provider for more information.