Let’s dig into a few options, including swapping to an ISP with unlimited data and figuring out if you can add an unlimited data upgrade. An easy way to do this is with our zip code tool. Just enter your zip code and we’ll pull up a list of all the internet providers in your area. Easy, peasy.
Xfinity data cap: 1.2 TB Xfinity data overage fee: $10.00 per 50 GB, up to $100.00 a month
If that sounds like you most months, you can always opt in for unlimited data. There are a few ways to do this with Xfinity, depending on whether you already have its xFi Gateway modem:
CenturyLink data cap: Unlimited CenturyLink overage fee: None
Cox data cap: 1.25 TB Cox data overage fee: $10.00 per 50 GB
If you find that much data isn’t enough to keep your home business running smoothly while your kiddos stream Paw Patrol every afternoon, you do have a couple of options:
HughesNet data cap: 15–75 GB HughesNet data overage result: Slowed speeds of 1–3 Mbps
If you go over that data cap, your internet stays online, but your speeds will drop to anywhere between 1 to 3 Mbps. That’s just a hair faster than dial-up. (Remember how mind-numbingly slow that was?) If you do go over your data cap and don’t want to deal with slower speeds, you can add data to your HughesNet plan, or you can hop online during the Bonus Zone. The HughesNet Bonus Zone gives you 50 GB of extra data to use between the hours of 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (your local time). Instead, you’ll be charged for an extra 50 GB of data, whether you go past your data allowance by 1 GB or a whole 50 GB.
Mediacom data cap: 400 GB–6 TB Mediacom data overage fee: $10.00 per 50 GB
So, let’s say your Mediacom plan comes with 1 TB (1,000 GB) of data, but you used 1,001 GB of data last month. You’ll pay $10.00 for 50 GB of extra data to cover your overage.
Viasat data cap: 12–300 GB Viasat data overage result: Speeds slowed to 1–5 Mbps during times of high traffic
You won’t be charged extra if you go over your Viasat data limit, but instead your internet speeds could slow down during times of high traffic. And by slow we mean anywhere between 1 to 5 Mbps. Viasat’s basically saying, “Hey, you had your turn in the fast lane. Now let someone else take your spot.” You can’t add data to Viasat Unlimited plans, but you can add data to its Liberty plans. We’ve got more info on this, plus how to track your data usage, in our Viasat data guide.
