Mobile data use has increased tremendously recently as individuals are watching TV and videos, downloading music and movies, playing online multiplayer games, participating in video phone calls, and otherwise performing high-bandwidth activities using their smartphones and media tablets. This has created the issue of wireless carriers potentially running out of bandwidth available for customers, resulting in outages or delays, In response, many wireless carriers have implemented data caps and have eliminated unlimited data plans(though many plans still have unlimited talk and texts). With a data cap customers either temporarily lose high-speed Internet access(such as being slowed down from 4G to 2G speeds-calls data throttling) or are charged an additional fee if the exceed their download limit(often 2 GB per moth).
One explanation for the increased data usage is speed-4G data speeds are significantly faster than 3G service and the results(such as faster Web pages and smoother streaming videos) make if easier for users to go through a large amount of bandwidth a relatively short period of time. One potential solution under consideration by wireless carriers is allowing content providers or app developers to pay carriers is allowing content providers or app developers to pay carriers so that their services don't count against a customer's monthly data limit-essentially buying traffic for their content. However, the internet is designed for all content and services to be treated equally.Because this solution would give larger companies an unfair advantage over upstarts,it is viewed by some as a net neutrality issue.
So how do you avoid the expensive or annoying ramifications associated with going over you data cap? The best way is to not go over your limit in the fist place. To help with this, use Wi-Fi for large downloads instead of your cellular connection. it is also prudent to monitor your data usage to make sure you stay under your data cap (you can also use this information to decide if you need to consider upgrading to a higher plan if your usage is typical but still over your data cap). Some smartphones have an option for viewing your total data usage for the current billing period, as well as usage per app or Web site to help you see where you are using the most data.
Another useful tool is third-party apps designed to help you monitor your band width usage. One such app is [Onavo Extend], shown in the accompanying illustration. It gives you a breakdown of consumption by app, so you know your worst bandwidth offenders,As a bonus, it compresses your in coming data by up too 500% so you can do up to five times more with your data plan without going over. Five times more data for free? it's about time!