Verizon's unlimited data limit of 150GB

[DonTom]

I have Verizon's "unlimited" data plan on my portable 5G Hotspot, which means it slows down after 150 GB used.

I received this email yesterday from Verizon:


"Hi Donald,

Your 5G Internet with mobile number ending in 5631 has reached its 150 GB high-speed Mobile Hotspot allowance. Your monthly data allowance will reset on the 9th with your next billing cycle.

What happens now?

Your Mobile Hotspot data speed has been reduced to 600 kbps when in 4G/5G NW or 3 Mbps when in 5G Ultra Wideband for the rest of the billing cycle. For more information, visit our FAQs."

I am now at 151.11 GB used. I have been streaming a lot of TV during this trip in the evening. I wanted to see what happens when I reach the limit.

I expected that after it slowed down, I would not be able to watch TV with it. But I cannot even notice a difference in any way. I am watching TV with it right now.

I have a strong 5G signal here at Gilbert Ray, with 5 bars of 5G. It says "RSRP -88 dbm/-20.00 DB SNR."

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[NY_Dutch]

I have Verizon's "unlimited" data plan on my portable 5G Hotspot, which means it slows down after 150 GB used.

I received this email yesterday from Verizon:


"Hi Donald,

Your 5G Internet with mobile number ending in 5631 has reached its 150 GB high-speed Mobile Hotspot allowance. Your monthly data allowance will reset on the 9th with your next billing cycle.

What happens now?

Your Mobile Hotspot data speed has been reduced to 600 kbps when in 4G/5G NW or 3 Mbps when in 5G Ultra Wideband for the rest of the billing cycle. For more information, visit our FAQs."

I am now at 151.11 GB used. I have been streaming a lot of TV during this trip in the evening. I wanted to see what happens when I reach the limit.

I expected that after it slowed down, I would not be able to watch TV with it. But I cannot even notice a difference in any way. I am watching TV with it right now.

I have a strong 5G signal here at Gilbert Ray, with 5 bars of 5G. It says "RSRP -88 dbm/-20.00 DB SNR."

-Don- Tucson, AZ

If you have the 5G Ultra service, 3 Mbps is adequate for streaming to one TV. 4K might be an issue though.

 

[DonTom]

If you have the 5G Ultra service, 3 Mbps is adequate for streaming to one TV. 4K might be an issue though.

I assume you meant 4G, not 4K.

I just now did a web search and found this:

How Much 5G Speed in Mbps is Needed for Streaming?​

Streaming platforms require different internet speeds depending on video quality:

• SD streaming (480p): 3-5 Mbps
• HD streaming (1080p): 10-20 Mbps
• 4K streaming (Ultra HD): 25-50 Mbps

It's a cheap, small TV, so it is "SD".

If streaming was always okay at 3 mpbs, was it only using that 3 mpbs before I hit the limit or was it using more just because I had more available?

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[NY_Dutch]

I assume you meant 4G, not 4K.

I just now did a web search and found this:

How Much 5G Speed in Mbps is Needed for Streaming?​

Streaming platforms require different internet speeds depending on video quality:

• SD streaming (480p): 3-5 Mbps
• HD streaming (1080p): 10-20 Mbps
• 4K streaming (Ultra HD): 25-50 Mbps

It's a cheap, small TV, so it is "SD".

If streaming was always okay at 3 mpbs, was it only using that 3 mpbs before I hit the limit or was it using more just because I had more available?

-Don- Tucson, AZ

I meant streaming a 4K TV signal. Third item on your list. Whether your using a 4G or 5G cell signal is irrelevant if you're limited to 3 Mbps.

 

[NY_Dutch]

I assume you meant 4G, not 4K.

I just now did a web search and found this:

How Much 5G Speed in Mbps is Needed for Streaming?​

Streaming platforms require different internet speeds depending on video quality:

• SD streaming (480p): 3-5 Mbps
• HD streaming (1080p): 10-20 Mbps
• 4K streaming (Ultra HD): 25-50 Mbps

It's a cheap, small TV, so it is "SD".

If streaming was always okay at 3 mpbs, was it only using that 3 mpbs before I hit the limit or was it using more just because I had more available?

-Don- Tucson, AZ

You were using whatever is available up to what ever speed limit the cell service might impose due to signal strength, etc.

 

[DonTom]

I meant streaming a 4K TV signal.

OIC., 4G TVs are what I have at my houses, but on the house cable so it's never an issue.

The "unlimited" on Verizon works better than I expected after the "limit" is reached, at least if I have 5G signal to receive, as I now do.

You were using whatever is available up to what ever speed limit the cell service might impose due to signal strength, etc.

Is it then just wasting the extra speed? This is not an issue for me because I do not normally need to be faster than it is now doing after hitting the data limit. But wouldn't it be better if it could be slowed down from the start, and then never hit the limit in case some people need the higher speeds for other things later?

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[DonTom]

Something interesting. I had the TV off and was only using this computer, and I had a 5-bar 4G signal. I turn on the TV, and the Hotspot changes to 5G.

I tried it a few times, and it does this every time automatically. So it's not just a coincidence. It's switching to 5G as needed.

At least if I have a 5G signal available, my unlimited is really unlimited, AFAIMC.


-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[garyb1st]

IIRC we have the Verizon plan with 100 gigs data. Got it two years ago at Quartzsite from a Verizon vendor. I'm going to drop it when the two year contract is up. With our Starlink system we rarely use it. The only time is when I'm too lazy to put the Starlink antenna out. For limited use, we can use the phones.

 

[DonTom]

IIRC we have the Verizon plan with 100 gigs data. Got it two years ago at Quartzsite from a Verizon vendor. I'm going to drop it when the two year contract is up. With our Starlink system we rarely use it. The only time is when I'm too lazy to put the Starlink antenna out. For limited use, we can use the phones.

My Verizon Hotspot gets a lot of use, especially on trips like this one. It is very rare for me to find a place where it doesn't work, and even in those places, I usually do not need it, such as at the Ancient Redwoods RV Park on the Ave of the Giants in Redcrest, CA where they have a decent wi-fi system (as rare as that is for it to be "decent" at an RV park).

How often do you need the Starlink where there is nothing else available?

Verizon is now starting to get into satellite.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[NY_Dutch]

OIC., 4G TVs are what I have at my houses, but on the house cable so it's never an issue.

The "unlimited" on Verizon works better than I expected after the "limit" is reached, at least if I have 5G signal to receive, as I now do.


Is it then just wasting the extra speed? This is not an issue for me because I do not normally need to be faster than it is now doing after hitting the data limit. But wouldn't it be better if it could be slowed down from the start, and then never hit the limit in case some people need the higher speeds for other things later?

-Don- Tucson, AZ

It's not "wasting" the speed since your device and application determine how much speed is needed up to the max available for the application you're using. The higher the speed, the quicker the data transfers, so if you're watching a streaming TV program, the best speed is one that will keep the buffer filled so the program can run uninterrupted even with minor interruptions in the data flow. The data transfer speed cannot be stored for use later, but the data can be.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Something interesting. I had the TV off and was only using this computer, and I had a 5-bar 4G signal. I turn on the TV, and the Hotspot changes to 5G.

I tried it a few times, and it does this every time automatically. So it's not just a coincidence. It's switching to 5G as needed.

At least if I have a 5G signal available, my unlimited is really unlimited, AFAIMC.


-Don- Tucson, AZ

Your computer may only be capable of connecting at 4G. The hotspot is likely capable of transmitting data at 4G to one device, and 5G to another, with the received signal at the fastest speed. When only the 4G device is in use, the signal drops to that speed.

 

[DonTom]

It's not "wasting" the speed since your device and application determine how much speed is needed up to the max available for the application you're using. The higher the speed, the quicker the data transfers, so if you're watching a streaming TV program, the best speed is one that will keep the buffer filled so the program can run uninterrupted even with minor interruptions in the data flow. The data transfer speed cannot be stored for use later, but the data can be.

Yeah, I assumed it was just giving me a larger buffer that I do not seem to need here.

If I thought about it, I would have compared how long I can watch the TV after I turn off my Hotspot before as well as after the 150GB limit was reached.

Anyway, this is not what I was expecting, that I would not even notice any difference while watching TV after reaching the 150GB "limit" of my unlimited plan.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[NY_Dutch]

How often do you need the Starlink where there is nothing else available?

Verizon is now starting to get into satellite.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

Verizon offers limited texting using the Skylo service. Next year they'll be offering text and possibly voice and data via AST SpaceMobile. Verizon customers can also subscribe to T-Mobile's T-Satellite service as an add-on, using Starlink's satellites. Suitable phones are required of course.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Yeah, I assumed it was just giving me a larger buffer that I do not seem to need here.

If I thought about it, I would have compared how long I can watch the TV after I turn off my Hotspot before as well as after the 150GB limit was reached.

Anyway, this is not what I was expecting, that I would not even notice any difference while watching TV after reaching the 150GB "limit" of my unlimited plan.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

When we were still on the road, we often hit places with poor cell signals that only gave us 3-5 Mbps, yet we streamed pretty much without any buffering.

 

[DonTom]

Your computer may only be capable of connecting at 4G.

It's only a few months old, says this (Wi-Fi 6, whatever that is):

SSID: DonTomVW
Protocol: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Manufacturer: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Description: Realtek 8852BE-VT Wireless LAN WiFi 6 PCI-E NIC
Driver version: 6101.19.132.0
Network band (channel): 2.4 GHz (6)
Aggregated link speed (Receive/Transmit): 286/286 (Mbps)
Link-local IPv6 address: fe80::7fc5:30a4:c471:bf84%8
IPv6 DNS servers: 2001:4888:67:ff00:643:d:: (Unencrypted)
2001:4888:66:ff00:645:d:: (Unencrypted)
IPv4 address: 192.168.1.153
IPv4 default gateway: 192.168.1.1
IPv4 DNS servers: 192.168.1.1 (Unencrypted)
Physical address (MAC): B8:82:F2:80:97:A5

 

[NY_Dutch]

It's only a few months old, says this (Wi-Fi 6, whatever that is):

SSID: DonTomVW
Protocol: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Manufacturer: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Description: Realtek 8852BE-VT Wireless LAN WiFi 6 PCI-E NIC
Driver version: 6101.19.132.0
Network band (channel): 2.4 GHz (6)
Aggregated link speed (Receive/Transmit): 286/286 (Mbps)
Link-local IPv6 address: fe80::7fc5:30a4:c471:bf84%8
IPv6 DNS servers: 2001:4888:67:ff00:643:d:: (Unencrypted)
2001:4888:66:ff00:645:d:: (Unencrypted)
IPv4 address: 192.168.1.153
IPv4 default gateway: 192.168.1.1
IPv4 DNS servers: 192.168.1.1 (Unencrypted)
Physical address (MAC): B8:82:F2:80:97:A5

That's interesting then, WiFi 6 is faster transmission protocol between the hotspot and the PC. If the application on the PC doesn't need a lot of speed, that may be why the hotspot drops to 4G.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Your computer may only be capable of connecting at 4G. The hotspot is likely capable of transmitting data at 4G to one device, and 5G to another, with the received signal at the fastest speed. When only the 4G device is in use, the signal drops to that speed.

4G and 5G are cellular protocols between the router and the cell tower(s). The router uses WiFi to connect to the devices it's serving.

 

[garyb1st]

How often do you need the Starlink where there is nothing else available?

We got it last January and have only traveled once since. But during that 10 week trip, we used it consistently except when it was just an overnight stop.

Starlink only charges $5.00 a month when the service is turned off. We can still use it for emergencies.

Verizon used to let us turn off service whenever we wanted. That changed on our plan last year when we found out we could only turn off coverage for 3 months. That's the reason we're terminating the plan.

 

[DonTom]

We got it last January and have only traveled once since. But during that 10 week trip, we used it consistently except when it was just an overnight stop.

Starlink only charges $5.00 a month when the service is turned off. We can still use it for emergencies.

Verizon used to let us turn off service whenever we wanted. That changed on our plan last year when we found out we could only turn off coverage for 3 months. That's the reason we're terminating the plan.

OIC.

I never turn mine off, even though I pay for the unlimited. Sometimes, it gets no use for a couple of months, but that is rather rare for me. I am used to paying for things I rarely use, such as my inReach, but it sure is handy when needed. I could go for a year without using it, but paying for it every month.

Something like that can save a life, such as one of the lost RVer here a few years ago. If they only had one--or a Spot Messenger or any type of satellite in that dead cell area around Silver Peak, NV.

-Don- Tucson, AZ

 

[DonTom]

4G and 5G are cellular protocols between the router and the cell tower(s). The router uses WiFi to connect to the devices it's serving.

Yeah, I too was wondering what this laptop had to do with 4G/5G as it connects to my Hotspot via Wi-Fi and is not capable of cellular otherwise. But I thought perhaps there was something in it that I didn't understand ot whatever.

-Don- Tucson, AZ