Broadband Data Limits Explained

Data limits can sometimes leave you scratching your head. You sign up for a broadband service and are quoted an amount of data you can use every month, but what does that data allow you to do?

Most broadband providers offer the customer an unlimited data allowance, but if you’re looking to save a bit of cash or are using a satellite connection, it’s likely that you may have a cap on your usage. A great way of visualising your usage needs can be seen in the table below from Money.co.uk.

Table showing data usage — One GB is made up of 1024Mb

Unlimited broadband is an attractive prospect for many. Being able to navigate the internet, stream HD videos and play online games without the fear of breaching a data cap can put a customer’s mind at ease. Sounds great, right?

Well, there can be some unforeseen issues. Many consumers believe that with an unlimited package comes faster speeds and, unfortunately, that is not true. Being able to consume more data does not mean that your internet will see speed improvements. If speed is a priority to you, look out for “download speed” over data limits. It’s also worth bearing in mind that an ‘unlimited’ data cap usually comes with a fair use policy. Whilst there is no universally accepted ‘fair use’ number, users who heavily participate in peer-2-peer file-sharing networks are more likely to risk being contacted by their ISP.

So, what happens if you go over your data limit?

If you breach your data cap, you can face additional fees on your monthly bill or be subjected to a practice known as ‘throttling’. Throttling is where your broadband provider restricts your speeds at peak times and, depending on your connection speed in the first place, can prove to be quite frustrating.

Luckily, most companies will notify you when you’re approaching your data limit. This allows you to modify your online behaviour in order to ensure you don’t go over your data allowance. However this is not always the case. It’s always a wise idea to keep tabs on your usage and, with most service providers allow you to monitor your usage online or through an app. I yours doesn’t, or you can’t figure out how to set it up, you can find out how much data you’ve used by getting in touch with your service provider directly.

Remember, if you monitor your data usage and are consistently using under your limit, you can always contact your ISP to request a reduced data cap in order to save some pennies!

If you’ve got any questions about data limits or just want to have a chat about broadband, drop us a tweet at @digitaldurham or hop on over to our Facebook page and say hi!

So, What Is Satellite Broadband?

What is Satellite Broadband?

Satellite broadband does what it says on the tin. Instead of other methods of connecting broadband, like fibre, satellite broadband connects via a satellite that is in geostationary orbits. Pretty cool, right? An ISP will transmit the broadband from their satellite dish, to this satellite, which then sends it back down to a satellite dish connected to a property.

How can this benefit me?

This method isn’t as widely used and championed as its other counterparts, but it can be a desirable respite from slow internet speeds in areas that have no other suitable alternatives. Rural areas, forests and islands all benefit from this technology, which operates through a satellite dish with a clear line to the south sky. Chances are, if you’ve connected to Wi-Fi on a plane or boat, you’ve probably experienced satellite broadband! Although, as a young technology, speeds aren’t as fast as fibre yet, speeds comparable to ADSL broadband are easily achievable and comes with the added bonus of being landline-free, meaning you don’t need a home phone to operate it!

Okay, but what are the flaws?

All of this is not to say that this service isn’t without its issues. One of the main issues faced with satellite broadband users is that of latency. Latency is the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer. As satellite has to travel huge distances between requests, latency can be high for users, rendering applications like online first-person shooters to be frustrating and sometimes inoperable. These connection woes can be exacerbated through other issues, namely weather and interference. As mentioned previously, satellite requires a clear line between a dish and the satellite in space, which can be interfered with by weather conditions, such as rainstorms as well as other wireless signals. Although possibly not enough to knock the broadband out completely, it can prove to be frustrating for users.

Satellite broadband can also prove to be quite expensive. Installation costs can surprise people looking in to the service and monthly packages tend to be more expensive than other broadband options, with unlimited satellite broadband packages being unheard of. Customers are usually presented with a range of options that have increasing monthly data usage caps.

All of that sounds great, but I’m worried about the cost!

Completely understandable. The good news is that there are provisions in place to h elp those who can’t secure a fast enough broadband speed through standard broadband or fibre. We here at Digital Durham work alongside with Broadband Delivery UK (or BDUK for short) to help those who need a satellite connection. BDUK are part of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and provide customers with a £350 voucher code to help them cover the hardware installation costs. To read more about the Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme and to apply, head on over here! Once you’ve applied, there’s a few checks we need to do to make sure you’re suitable for the scheme before we process it, so please, hold tight with us whilst we work our way through it!