Our data needs have become perhaps the most important part of our mobile phone plan. It’s how we stay connected on-the-go, tick off work tasks, and tune out to streaming. If you’ve compared mobile plans before, you’ll likely have seen endless data plans as an option.
If you are considering getting a lot of data with your mobile plan, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of the ins and outs of endless data plans so you can make a fully informed choice.
What are Endless Data Plans?
An endless data plan is a mobile plan that offers an “unlimited” amount of data, perfect for those who are out and about a lot and who are on the internet for a wide range of tasks. Similarly to unlimited text and calls to NZ and Australian numbers, endless data plans offer a tone of mobile data!
However, there are different types of endless data plans, making the name a little misleading. Some plans are truly unlimited, with no cap on speeds. Meanwhile, some plans offer a set amount of data at maximum speeds, and you will be switched to reduced speeds if you reach that limit.
How Do Endless Data Plans Work?
There are generally two types of endless data plans.
Capped Endless Data Plans
This is the most common type of data plan. They can come in a range of prices, from fairly cheap to pricey. These types of endless data plans offer you a limited amount of data at maximum speeds, typically 4G/5G and at limits of 5GB, 12GB, 40GB etc. But once you reach that limit, you can still access mobile data, but you’ll use reduced speeds.
It’s important to bear this in mind if you use lots of data because once you reach your maximum speed cap, you’ll experience fairly slow speeds that can significantly impact your online experience. These slowed speeds will generally go down to about 1.2 Mbps (which is a lot lower than the speeds of 4G and 5G) once you hit the data cap. While you can still stream music and do basic internet surfing, you’ll experience buffering for video streaming and calling.
So, if you are unlikely to use more than your data cap, this type of endless data plan might work for you. But if you reach your cap, you might not be able to do the things you usually do.
Truly Unlimited Data
These live up to their name–truly unlimited data, with no caps or speed reductions. You get to enjoy the fastest speeds and as much data as you want. The only catch is that they are more expensive.
Other Considerations with Endless Data Plans
Fair Use Policy
These are policies that ensure services such as endless data plans are used fairly and reasonably. It prevents consumers from using an unfair amount of data. Providers can measure your usage against the estimated average to determine if you are using more than a fair amount of data. If a provider deems you to have used to have unfairly exceeded your usage, they can cancel or change your plan.
Hotspotting
Hotspotting is a feature that allows you to use your phone’s data as a remote WiFi signal, making it possible to connect other devices. For example, a friend could connect to your device, or you could connect your laptop for on-the-go work. If you want this feature, check for plans that have it included. However, some will have it available as an additional add-on for you to buy.
Group Plans
Group plans can be a great option for large families. This is when you buy one plan, and add other plans on, with each addition cheaper than the price of the individual plan.
How do I find the right plan for me?
By comparing, of course! It’s easy and quick to compare endless and unlimited data plans here at Mobile Compare. Unlock savings that make a true difference by comparing all the options side-by-side and making a fully informed choice. When you compare, and have all the information in the same place, you are more likely to find the best plan for your unique needs, without paying more than you need to. Save money today and find the right plan by jumping on Mobile Compare and switching to a better endless mobile data plan.
