Are we ever going to get a substantial raise in data cap?

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The average user consumes less than 1gb a month, but there are also a small percentage of people using programs to (unofficially) tether and run their entire home network off their smartphone data plan.

In answer to the OP's question, yes I think data allotment will go up in time, but I don't expect it to happen overnight.

That's maybe 2010 or so when data caps were proposed. Those 200mb-300mb limits don't make sense anymore. Even though I tend not to download, it's very easy for Android to use more than 500mb given it's constant syncing. On iOS it might be possible, but once again, when apps like Facebook, Google+, Dropbox are asking for photo sync, it's very easy to run over your data limits unless you're careful.

With that said I think 3gb is still a fair amount on AT&T now. I'm finding 2GB a little harder to keep within. Basically, the 2gb they introduced in 2011 is more like a 5gb today I'd say.

Similarly, Comcast's 250gb cap in 2008 might've made sense then, but today, that should be doubled at least.

 

[Brian Stirling]

That's maybe 2010 or so when data caps were proposed. Those 200mb-300mb limits don't make sense anymore. Even though I tend not to download, it's very easy for Android to use more than 500mb given it's constant syncing. On iOS it might be possible, but once again, when apps like Facebook, Google+, Dropbox are asking for photo sync, it's very easy to run over your data limits unless you're careful.

With that said I think 3gb is still a fair amount on AT&T now. I'm finding 2GB a little harder to keep within. Basically, the 2gb they introduced in 2011 is more like a 5gb today I'd say.

Similarly, Comcast's 250gb cap in 2008 might've made sense then, but today, that should be doubled at least.

Yes, what was the typical data use a few years ago would be at the low end today as data use per customer continues to grow. And that's the problem ... data use is growing faster than available bandwidth. And, going forward, there's little reason to believe data use is going to decline or even flatten any time soon.

Which puts the carriers in something of a bind. How do you provide reasonable service when your network is being hammered harder and harder every day. Heavy users with grandfathered plans may feel entitled to eat huge amounts of data and so long as there numbers are small it's at least bearable for the network, but overtime the carriers are going to have to find way to substantially increase capacity or the system is going to come to a screeching halt.

One of the reasons I won't go back to a carrier that offers unlimited data is because those networks are all too often painfully slow. I know this from past experience and my 2 year stay with Sprint was more than I could bear.


Brian

 

[openwheel]

.....................
One of the reasons I won't go back to a carrier that offers unlimited data is because those networks are all too often painfully slow. I know this from past experience and my 2 year stay with Sprint was more than I could bear.


Brian

Verizon Unlimited Data is available on eBay or Howard Forum. You can still use the upgrade and maintain unlimited data. Unlimited and unthrottled on America's best network. Why not?

T-Mobile unlimited data no longer requires contract.

Sprint....well don't go there...

 

[JustMe21]

I think the cell companies are going to milk it just like the home ISPs do. With companies trying to get you to put everything in the cloud, they increase your reliance on having an Internet connection to access your data and as long as they keep offerings similar to the other phone providers, why break status quo. Notice how no one offers Unlimited for new customers, while a few years ago everyone offered some kind of Unlimited package.

 

[luv2liv]

it is not because the carriers are stingy.
i work for all the carriers. so i can confirm the issue is backhaul, cost of equipment, and spectrum. none of those 3 will be resolved any time soon. and i doubt Google nor fb will jump in to solve