As a retail and consumer expert who closely tracks the broadband industry, I‘ve watched data caps become an unfortunate norm among many internet providers over the past decade. Except for one major holdout: Verizon Fios. I‘m happy to report that in 2024, Verizon still does not impose any data caps or usage limits on its Fios fiber-optic home internet service.
The Growth of Data Usage and the Importance of Unlimited Plans
Data usage has skyrocketed in recent years as more people work from home, stream video in 4K and 8K resolution, play cloud-based games, use smart home devices, and connect more gadgets to their home Wi-Fi. Consider these stats:
- In 2021, the average U.S. household had 25 connected devices, up from 11 in 2019. (Deloitte)
- The average U.S. broadband subscriber used over 435 GB of data per month in 2021. (OpenVault)
- Video streaming accounted for over 80% of total data usage in 2021. (Sandvine)
- 4K video uses about 7 GB of data per hour, compared to about 3 GB for HD video. (Netflix)
With data usage growing at a rapid clip, unlimited data plans have gone from a nice-to-have to a necessity for many households. An unlimited plan provides peace of mind that you can surf, stream, download, and connect as many devices as you want without worrying about overage charges or your speeds being throttled.
The History of Data Caps and Verizon Fios
Data caps on home internet plans first started becoming common in the early 2010s. Comcast, AT&T, Cox, and other major cable and DSL providers began imposing monthly data limits ranging from 150 GB to 1 TB on some or all of their plans. They claimed the caps were needed for "fairness" and to manage network congestion, but consumer advocacy groups argue the real reason is to boost profits and push users toward more expensive unlimited plans.
Verizon has been a vocal opponent of data caps since launching Fios in 2005. In 2012, then-Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said data caps are unnecessary because the marginal cost of delivering data is very low. "We‘re not sure that data caps are the right way to go," he said at an investor conference. "We don‘t think it‘s necessary."
Verizon has stuck by that philosophy over the years. In 2017, Verizon pledged to the FCC that it would not impose data caps on Fios broadband plans for at least seven years as a condition of its acquisition of XO Communications‘ fiber-optic network. That commitment expires in 2024, but there‘s no indication Verizon plans to change course.
In fact, Verizon continues to promote Fios‘ lack of data caps as a key selling point. "Fios has no plans to limit your data—now or in the future," the company says on its website. "We‘re committed to providing real unlimited data with no strings attached."
How Verizon Fios Compares to Other ISPs on Data Caps
Most of Verizon‘s major competitors still impose some form of data caps or limits in 2024, making Fios an even more attractive option for heavy data users. Here‘s a rundown of where the major ISPs stand:
| Provider | Data Cap Policy |
|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | No data caps on any plan |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | 1.2 TB cap in most areas; $10 per 50 GB over limit; unlimited data available for $30/month extra |
| Cox | 1.25 TB cap on all plans; $10 per 50 GB over limit; unlimited data available for $50/month extra |
| Spectrum | No data caps as of 2024 |
| AT&T Fiber | No data caps |
| CenturyLink Fiber | No data caps |
| AT&T DSL | 1 TB cap on all plans; $10 per 50 GB over limit; unlimited data available for $30/month extra |
| CenturyLink DSL | 1 TB cap in most areas |
As you can see, Verizon Fios is one of the only major ISPs that doesn‘t impose data caps across any of its plans. Some fiber providers like AT&T and CenturyLink have also resisted data caps, but cable providers Xfinity and Cox still restrict data on non-fiber plans unless you pay an extra $30-50/month for unlimited data.
The Economic and Social Impact of Data Caps
Data caps don‘t just annoy consumers; they can have negative economic and social impacts too. Consider these findings:
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A 2018 study by the Benton Foundation found that data caps reduce broadband adoption, particularly among low-income households. The study estimated that removing data caps could connect an additional 12 million people to home broadband.
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A 2019 report from the Open Technology Institute argued that data caps discourage people from adopting internet-based services like online education, telemedicine, and remote work that can provide economic and social benefits.
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Data caps can stifle innovation by discouraging developers from creating new data-intensive applications and services. For example, cloud gaming platforms like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now use a lot of data that could easily push users over data limits.
By not imposing data caps, Verizon Fios is supporting greater digital inclusion, innovation, and economic opportunity. The provider‘s unlimited data policy ensures that all users can take full advantage of the internet without limits holding them back.
The Creator Economy and the Importance of Upload Speeds
Another area where Verizon Fios stands out is upload speeds. While download speeds get the most attention, upload speeds are increasingly important in the growing "creator economy." Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Patreon have enabled millions of people to earn money by creating and sharing content online.
Creating content like videos, podcasts, and high-res photos requires fast upload speeds to share the large files. Yet most broadband providers offer much slower upload speeds than download speeds on their plans. That‘s not the case with Fios, which provides symmetrical or near-symmetrical upload/download speeds on all plans (depending on the tier).
Here‘s how Fios upload speeds compare to other major ISPs:
| Provider | Upload Speeds |
|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | Up to 880 Mbps |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | Up to 35 Mbps on most plans |
| Cox | Up to 35 Mbps on most plans |
| Spectrum | Up to 35 Mbps on most plans |
| AT&T Fiber | Up to 880 Mbps |
| CenturyLink Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps |
| AT&T DSL | Up to 20 Mbps |
| CenturyLink DSL | Up to 20 Mbps |
Fios‘ fast upload speeds combined with no data caps make it an ideal choice for content creators, remote workers, and anyone who needs to send large amounts of data. Slow upload speeds and data caps on other providers‘ plans can make it frustrating to share videos, back up files to the cloud, video chat, and use other upstream applications.
Verizon‘s Continued Investment in Fios
Verizon continues to invest heavily to expand the Fios network and keep speeds on the cutting edge. In 2021, Verizon announced two new speed tiers: 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps. The 2 Gig plan offers symmetrical 2.3 Gbps speeds for $120/month, while 5 Gig provides symmetrical 5 Gbps speeds for $180/month. Verizon also began offering 10 Gig fiber service for up to $300/month in select metro areas like New York City in 2023.
"Our continued investment in our Fios network allows us to provide our customers with the fastest speeds available and a superior experience," said Matt Ellis, Verizon‘s Chief Financial Officer, in a 2021 earnings call. "We remain committed to delivering real unlimited broadband with no data caps, usage-based pricing, or other gotchas."
While the new multi-gig speed tiers are overkill for most households today, they show Verizon is future-proofing the Fios network as data usage continues to climb. The company is also continually expanding Fios availability, with plans to add over 1 million new fiber passings per year.
Verizon‘s Fios Forward Program for Low-Income Households
In addition to not imposing data caps, Verizon is taking steps to make Fios more affordable and accessible to low-income households. In 2020, Verizon introduced the Fios Forward program, which offers discounted Fios service to qualifying households.
The Fios Forward plans include:
- 300 Mbps fiber home internet for $20/month for households enrolled in the FCC‘s Lifeline program
- 300 Mbps fiber home internet for $20/month for households with students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program
- Discounted or free Wi-Fi devices and equipment
- Access to digital literacy courses and educational resources
By offering affordable Fios home internet to more people, Verizon is helping to close the digital divide and ensure that everyone can participate in the digital economy regardless of their income or zip code. The plans still come with Verizon‘s signature unlimited data policy, so low-income users don‘t have to worry about hitting a data cap or incurring overage fees.
Praise From Consumer Advocacy Groups
Consumer advocacy groups have praised Verizon for its unlimited data policy and efforts to expand Fios availability. In 2021, the nonprofit Public Knowledge honored Verizon with its "Connecting the Public" award for the Fios Forward program.
"By offering discounted Fios service to low-income families and committing to not imposing data caps, Verizon is setting an example for other ISPs to follow," said Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge. "We hope more providers will adopt consumer-friendly policies like these that support digital inclusion and access for all."
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Verizon Fios and data caps? Here are answers to some common queries:
Does Verizon Fios have data caps?
No, Verizon Fios does not currently have data caps on any of its home internet plans. Fios provides unlimited data on all speed tiers.
Will Verizon Fios ever get data caps?
Verizon has committed to no data caps on Fios indefinitely. The company‘s leaders have repeatedly said they don‘t believe data caps are necessary or consumer-friendly.
Do I need to pay extra for unlimited data on Verizon Fios?
No, unlimited data is included with all Verizon Fios plans at no extra charge. You don‘t need to pay a monthly fee for unlimited data like you do with some providers.
Does Verizon Wireless have data caps on cellular plans?
Not anymore. In 2021, Verizon joined AT&T and T-Mobile in offering only unlimited data plans for 4G LTE and 5G cellular service, eliminating its prior data caps and speed throttling.
Can I bundle Fios with Verizon Wireless and get unlimited data on both?
Yes, Verizon offers discounts when you combine Fios home internet with a Verizon Wireless unlimited cellular data plan. You‘ll get unlimited data on both with no caps or throttling.
Do Verizon Fios upload speeds have a cap?
No, Verizon Fios upload speeds are not capped. Fios provides symmetrical or near-symmetrical upload/download speeds so you can upload files, back up data, and video chat without limits.
The Bottom Line
In 2024, Verizon Fios remains a top choice for home internet thanks to its combination of unlimited data, fast speeds, and 100% fiber-optic reliability. While most Fios customers may not need multi-gig speeds yet, everyone can benefit from not having to worry about hitting a data cap or paying extra for the unlimited data that‘s essential for modern digital life.
By not imposing data caps, Verizon is showing a commitment to consumer-friendly policies that support innovation, creativity, and digital inclusion. Here‘s hoping more ISPs follow Verizon‘s lead and drop the restrictive data caps that hold back the potential of the internet for so many.
