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?

  • cerement@slrpnk.net
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    2 months ago

    cell phone providers can, they just won’t (would eat into their profits)

    and most of the home internet sold as “unlimited” was a scam – if you started to get too close to some hidden value, they would start throttling your connection

  • teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu
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    2 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.

  • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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    2 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.

  • Nibodhika@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Not all of them do, I’ve seen that in America data limits on home internet is common, and here in Europe unlimited phone data is common.

  • brap@lemmy.world
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    2 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.

  • Sigilos@ttrpg.network
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    2 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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      2 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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    2 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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        2 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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            2 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.

  • mvirts@lemmy.world
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    2 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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      2 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. >:|

    • Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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      2 months ago

      I moved to Telus when Rogers bought Shaw and screwed up my billing plan, and were unwilling to be competitive.

      Both Rogers and Telus have capped plans and more expensive “unlimited” plans.