As the name suggests, mobile data lets you connect to the internet on your mobile devices from anywhere. Mobile data relies on cellular signals rather than using a traditional fiber, cable, or DSL internet connection.
Most cell phone plans include either limited or unlimited data, along with unlimited calling and messaging. Learn everything you need to know about mobile data, including what it is, what data limits are, and how to manage your data.
What is mobile data on my phone?
Mobile data (also called cellular data) is the internet connectivity wireless delivered to your mobile device. You rely on mobile data anytime you connect to the internet on your phone without using a Wi-Fi network. Examples of activities that consume mobile data include:
- Online gaming
- Streaming music or videos
- Web browsing
- Checking email
- Scrolling through social media
- Video chatting on Zoom or FaceTime
- Using Google Maps
It's important to understand how mobile data works to be able to tell where your connection is coming from—Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Moreover, phone carriers typically offer two different plan types: limited and unlimited data. Generally, unlimited plans are a bit pricier, and even some unlimited plans feature data caps. Therefore, you'll need to know your mobile data usage habits to pick out a cell phone plan properly.
Cellular data vs. Wi-Fi networks
When your phone or tablet is on a Wi-Fi network, you use a traditional internet service provider (ISP) to connect to websites and other services. Home internet gets piped in via a fiber optic, cable, or DSL connection which a modem interprets and sends to a router. The router then distributes that signal to devices like phones, smart TVs, and laptops.
On the other hand, cellular data transmits from a carrier (e.g., Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or US Cellular) tower, providing internet access without a nearby Wi-Fi hotspot.
Does mobile data cost money?
Yes, mobile data costs money because it is part of your phone plan. Your wireless carrier sets rates based on the amount of mobile data included in your plan. You may pay one flat rate for unlimited data or a specific price per gigabyte on a limited plan.
Mobile data speeds
Aside from data limits, consider the speed of your mobile data. Top 4G LTE speeds from major carriers reach 35–60Mbps. 5G delivers substantially faster upload and download speeds than 4G LTE with 100Mbps or greater average data rates.
Although mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) run on the major carrier networks, you may see somewhat slower mobile data speeds with these carriers. Typically, big carriers reserve the fastest speeds for customers on their direct network. However, that's not always the case. Several MVNOs offer high-speed premium data with their best unlimited plans.
What mobile internet speed is fast enough?
Generally, you need around 30–60Mbps for mobile internet speeds. However, for a better sense of what real-world download speeds you'll need, here are a few recommendations from our favorite big-name streaming services:
- Netflix: 5Mbps/high-definition (HD) stream, 25Mbps/ultra-high-definition (UHD) stream
- Amazon Prime Video: 5Mbps/HD stream, 20Mbps/UHD stream
- Hulu: 6Mbps /HD stream, 8Mbps for live streams, 16Mbps/UHD stream
Online gaming demands similar bandwidth requirements, although competitive gamers and remote workers often feel more comfortable with more speed and lower latency. Therefore, mobile internet isn't ideal for competitive online gaming.
How fast is 5G?
All three major carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon) will continue expanding their 5G coverage. But most real-world 5G speeds come nowhere near 5G's theoretical 1Gbps–2.5Gbps download speeds. On average, most 5G signals clock in around 100–200Mbps, with the majority of low- and mid-band 5G only marginally faster than 4G LTE. Additionally, 5G coverage predominantly benefits urban and suburban residents with lackluster rural coverage.
Overall, 5G’s theoretical speed gains and lower latency versus 4G LTE make it a compelling choice. As its rollout progresses, expect 5G to get faster and more accessible.
How much data do you need?
The most popular phone plan is an unlimited data plan, but there are distinctions among data plan types. Unlimited premium data is currently the best data option on the market. Premium data receives priority on cellular networks, so if your plan includes it, your carrier will first slow down other customers during network congestion. Having unlimited premium data means that you have an unlimited allotment of the fastest data your carrier offers.
A high-speed data threshold is the other popular unlimited plan option. Essentially, these are plans that have a set allotment of high-speed data. Once you exceed that allotment, your speed is slowed or your service is subject to deprioritization. Your data is never cut off, so these plans are technically unlimited, but some can slow to speeds that make the service almost unusable. Still, for many of these plans, the threshold is so high that most people never exceed them.
Data Usage by Activity
| 3GB | 10GB | 15GB | At least 20GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web Surfing | ||||
| Zoom | ||||
| Music Streaming | ||||
| Online Gaming | ||||
| YouTube | ||||
| Streaming TV | ||||
| Downloading Movies & TV | ||||
| Downloading Video Games |
How much mobile internet you need depends on your usage habits. For instance, unlimited data is best if you're a heavy video streamer and gamer. However, a limited data package or an unlimited tier with a low premium data threshold works fine if you often connect to Wi-Fi.
The truth about unlimited data and data limits
Effectively, phone plan data limits restrict full or high-speed data. In the past, mobile data limits resulted in pricey overage charges. However, most carriers and MVNOs rarely slap you with additional fees on your monthly bill these days. Instead, your carrier slows your data speeds down significantly after surpassing your data threshold.
Unlimited plans with guaranteed "premium" data
If you look at your plan's fine print, you might realize unlimited data isn't always truly unlimited. While some plans, such as Verizon's Unlimited Plus tier and T-Mobile's Experience More and Beyond plans, feature a truly unlimited buffet of high-speed data, carriers often implement a "premium" data threshold. You'll enjoy up to a certain amount of data at full speeds before data deprioritization kicks in. Deprioritization results in your mobile data slowing down during heavy network congestion. So while you won't lose access to the internet or incur any overage charges, you may experience slower speeds.
Guaranteed high-speed data allotments often range from 20GB to 50GB. However, some plans can sport up to 100GB thresholds or even unlimited data that won’t slow down. Often, price and premium data thresholds are directly proportional. The highest deprioritization thresholds come with top-tier plans from major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and US Cellular.
Best unlimited data plans
You don't always have to go with one of the major carriers to get a great unlimited plan. Some of the best and cheapest unlimited plans are actually offered by smaller carriers called MVNOs. While these carriers may not always offer "premium" data, they often include low-priced unlimited plans that include a large block of high-speed data. If you run out of high-speed data, your service will continue with a slower speed. This means your data is technically unlimited, but it can be slowed if you exceed your threshold. A good example of this is the Mint Mobile Unlimited Data plan which includes 50GB of high-speed data for $30/month.
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#1
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Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
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#2
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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#3
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XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
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|
#4
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US Mobile
Unlimited Starter Plan
$25.00/mo
$20/mo. for 6 months; $25/mo. thereafter
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#5
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Spectrum Mobile
Unlimited Data
$30.00/mo
+ $20 Upfront
|
Unlimited plans without guaranteed full-speed allotments
While many unlimited plans include a deprioritization threshold, some budget packages don't. You'll still enjoy unlimited data usage, but there's a threat of reduced data speeds at any time during your billing cycle, despite your current mobile data consumption. Most of the time, you won't notice your data slowing down during heavy network congestion—which happens during sporting events or concerts—but music streaming may require more buffering, and web pages may load slower than usual.
How to manage your data usage
Although unlimited data is essentially the industry standard, attractively low-priced limited data plans provide a certain allure. Particularly for modest data users, a set monthly data allotment works just fine.
Here's how to properly manage your mobile data usage:
- Use Wi-Fi networks whenever possible.
- Limit app, music, and video downloads to Wi-Fi.
- Enable any data-saving or data caching features via your carrier, phone, and individual apps.
- Monitor your data use with phone settings or in your carrier's online account portal (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon).
How to turn off mobile data on Android and iOS
Need to limit mobile data usage for yourself or other folks on a shared data plan? Here’s how to turn off mobile internet on Android and iOS!
On Android, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Data > Data Usage and toggle mobile data off.
For iOS, head to Settings > Cellular and turn off cellular data. In iOS, you can also restrict mobile data on a per-app basis.
What is mobile data: FAQs
What is mobile data?
Mobile data is information transmitted from and received by mobile devices using cellular networks rather than home internet.
Is it better to use Wi-Fi or mobile data?
It depends! Wi-Fi signals are generally faster and have lower latency compared with mobile data. However, wireless networking isn't always available, so mobile data provides the freedom to connect to internet-enabled apps and services on the go.
What are examples of mobile data?
Examples of activities that utilize mobile data include checking your email, streaming music or videos, checking social media sites, and online gaming while using a cellular network, not Wi-Fi.
Do you want mobile data on or off?
It depends on your needs! Turn it on to use your apps and browse the internet when no Wi-Fi is available. Turn it off to conserve your data allotment, save battery life, or avoid costly roaming fees when traveling abroad.
What happens if you leave your mobile data on?
Leaving your mobile data on lets you connect to internet-enabled apps and services anywhere, so long as you've got cellular reception.
What happens if you turn off mobile data?
Turning off mobile data prevents your phone, tablet, or another device from connecting to cellular networks for internet access. However, with Wi-Fi on, you can connect using a traditional home internet signal.
How to fix mobile data not working?
If your mobile data isn't working, your phone may have briefly lost its signal. Try restarting your phone or toggling airplane mode on and off. If that fails, you may need to check with your carrier to ensure you haven't run out of mobile data or see if there is a service outage.
How to use mobile hotspot without using data?
You can use your mobile hotspot feature without using data on some phones by using Wi-Fi tethering. This essentially turns your phone into a router and extends the Wi-Fi signal it is using to other devices. However, note that this feature requires a Wi-Fi signal and is not available on all devices. If you need a lot of mobile hotspot data, you may want to consider getting an unlimited hotspot plan.
What is mobile data roaming?
Mobile data roaming is when your phone briefly jumps onto another carrier's network for service if it can't find coverage on your own network. Most of the big carriers in the United States have service agreements that allow your device to hook onto other networks for no additional charge. That said, you may not have access to the same data speeds when roaming.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
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