Why do cell phones have a data limit but home internet doesn’t? I understand bandwidth limits, but how can home internet get away with giving users all the data they can use, but cell phone providers can’t?

  • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    AT&T asks the same question. They provide the bold option to pay more than the competition and get data limits on your home internet.

  • teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu
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    3 months ago

    I have the opposite. Unlimited phone data, but it throttles above some high number that I’ve never hit. Capped home internet from crapcast, 1.3 TB, I haven’t hit it but I’ve come within a couple gigabytes.

    They offer unlimited data if I use their modem/router for an extra $10/mo. Of course their modem comes with the wonderful feature of a public hotspot for any other Comcast customers in the area. I’ve been thinking about getting their modem, putting it in a metal box and just using pass through with my opnsense box.

  • brap@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I guess it depends what country you’re in. I don’t have limits on either and don’t want to imagine having that concern.

  • mvirts@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    My home Internet charges extra when I use more than 1 TB per month. Not sure but I think it’s metered both up and down.

    • Kaiyoto@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      I remember Comcast suddenly started enforcing a limit of about 1 TB some years ago when I had them. Realized it happened when I renewed my contract to get a lower price again for a promotional period. Apparently I agreed to a new contract or something that included the new limit. >:|

  • Sigilos@ttrpg.network
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    3 months ago

    Not all home internet is unlimited. In many US rural areas, home internet connections have a monthly cap just like mobile networks do. A higher cap costs more, if it’s available at all.

    • Psythik@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      And not all cell service is limited. I switched from cable to 5G fixed wireless, because I was tired of having a data cap. It’s faster and cheaper too.

  • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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    3 months ago

    money.

    data caps are coming to home internet soon too and with inescapable hidden contracts; switch to an independent isp to avoid it before you’re entrapped into one.

      • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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        3 months ago

        they exist and they usually suck compared to something like comcast or at&t; but they’re much better than a $500 internet bill because you went over your limit or paying considerably more for breaking the contract that you didn’t know you signed when you didn’t read the fine print.

          • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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            3 months ago

            i’m aware and fwiw; that’s where it’ll be implemented last since the people there are the biggest and best chance at pushing back against this successfully.