What's the current story on data caps?

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extide

Senior member
Nov 18, 2009
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www.teraknor.net
I'm seriously considering going Internet only.

Has anyone here had issues with data caps recently? I need TV to fall asleep every night so my streaming usage is probably quite high, but since I have full service (TV/Phone/internet) I'm assuming the data cap is waived. Much of what I've read is conflicting information. Has anyone who streams a lot received notices that they've exceeded their data limits within the past year?

I can'r fall asleep to complete quiet. Maybe I'm nuts or something.

Who is your ISP, what is your service?
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
126
I know what a hub cap is.....
I know what a bottle cap is....
I know what a swimming cap is...….
whats is a data cap?? Is this a data cap ==

Star-Trek-the-Next-Generation-Tales-From-the-Set-Data-in-Baseball-Hat.jpg
 
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dasherHampton

Platinum Member
Jan 19, 2018
2,543
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Who is your ISP, what is your service?


I have Comcast. I think it's called triple play or something like that.

They had an internet-only deal that's 50% off for a year but that was a while ago. I'm nervous about going that route become of the caps. I leave the TV on every night for hours while I sleep. That seems like a lot of data.
 

extide

Senior member
Nov 18, 2009
261
64
101
www.teraknor.net
I have Comcast. I think it's called triple play or something like that.

They had an internet-only deal that's 50% off for a year but that was a while ago. I'm nervous about going that route become of the caps. I leave the TV on every night for hours while I sleep. That seems like a lot of data.

So, if you are in the NorthEast region, Comcast doe not enforce data caps at all.

If you are not in the NorthEast, you can become exempt by:
  • Getting their special X1 package with their modem
  • Or paying an extra $50/month on a regular internet package
 
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dasherHampton

Platinum Member
Jan 19, 2018
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488
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Well, I'll look into that. If their agreement specifically says "no data caps" I'll probably opt in.

I read a long thread on this topic two or three weeks ago and two posters from the same town were going back and forth on the subject, saying completely opposite things. One said they routinely exceeded the cap and never got a warning while the other called bullshit and said they had been warned repeatedly. Who to believe? I download large STEAM games as well.
 

extide

Senior member
Nov 18, 2009
261
64
101
www.teraknor.net
Well, I'll look into that. If their agreement specifically says "no data caps" I'll probably opt in.

I read a long thread on this topic two or three weeks ago and two posters from the same town were going back and forth on the subject, saying completely opposite things. One said they routinely exceeded the cap and never got a warning while the other called bullshit and said they had been warned repeatedly. Who to believe? I download large STEAM games as well.

If you are in an area they enforce caps and aren't in a special plan that removes the cap, then they just simply charge you for extra data. (It goes in blocks of 50GB and it's like $5 or $10 per block, so go over by 101GB and you pay for 3 blocks) You get two free 'grace' months of going over before they charge you, though.
 

dasherHampton

Platinum Member
Jan 19, 2018
2,543
488
96
I went to the xfinity store today and the saleslady said the cheapest plan without a cap is $105 a month. I'm assuming that's pre-tax so probably $120 a month total. She said they currently have no promotions on uncapped plans.

It's a little higher than I thought. Last year I talked to Frontier and they had uncapped internet at around $65 a month. I might call them again to see what they have now.
 

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,126
5,151
146
That's BS. Was she quoting you for one of their double-play packages? There are also no taxes or fees on the internet plans, which is a surprise. I have the 250Mbps plan for $95/month and that's exactly what I pay.

Go here (you'll have to enter your address) and de-select everything but "Internet" or it'll give you bundle prices:
https://www.xfinity.com/learn/offers?CMP=ILC_shop_myxfinity_re&pc=1

Here's what I can get in my area (Northeast) for up to $105/month:

15Mbps for $50/month
60Mbps for $35/month ($75/month after the first year)
150Mbps for $45/month ($90/month after the first year)
250Mbps for $55/month ($95/month after the first year)
400Mbps for $65/month ($100/month after the first year)
1000Mbps for $75/month ($105/month after the first year)

I fail to see how you can quadruple your internet speed from 250Mbps to 1000Mbps for only an extra $10/month, but 15Mbps costs $50/month. Goddamn monopolies.
 

Raincity

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2000
4,477
12
81
Cox enforces it. Once your past 1T you have the option to pay an extra usage fee or get your bandwidth throttled down next to nothing until it resets again on the next billing cycle.
 

dasherHampton

Platinum Member
Jan 19, 2018
2,543
488
96
I think she might have referencing the $95 a month plan + modem rental.

You guys are lucky. Where I live everything is taxed. This is my bill right now:

$119.99 triple play
$32.90 equipment
$20.05 other charges
$13.17. taxes


Those Xfinity stores remind me of Verizon stores: a bunch of salespeople working mostly on commission. I asked about the "first year" deal and she said that there is no promotion right now. I guess maybe I'd have to deal with Comcast nationally instead of locally.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
126
No data cap here......free!!! My neighbor has an open internet connection...lolol j/k