The cost of unlimited data varies significantly depending on the provider, specific plan features, and any ongoing promotions. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $80 per month for a single line with truly unlimited high-speed data from major carriers, though some plans marketed as "unlimited" may have lower prices but include a cap on high-speed data before throttling.
Understanding "Unlimited" Data Costs
While the term "unlimited data" suggests endless high-speed internet, many plans come with a specific high-speed data cap. Once this cap is reached, your data speeds may be reduced for the remainder of the billing cycle. It's crucial to look at the "high-speed data allotment" when comparing plans.
Here's a breakdown of costs for various "unlimited" plans as seen in recent comparisons:
| Unlimited Plan | High-Speed Data Allotment | Single-Line Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wireless Total 5G | Unlimited | $50 |
| Verizon Unlimited Plus | Unlimited | $80 |
| Google Fi Unlimited Plus | 50GB | $65 |
| Boost Mobile | 30GB | $25 |
As you can see from the table, not all plans labeled "Unlimited Plan" offer truly unlimited high-speed data. For instance, Google Fi Unlimited Plus and Boost Mobile, despite being called "unlimited plans," come with specific high-speed data limits (50GB and 30GB, respectively) before speeds are potentially reduced. Only Total Wireless Total 5G and Verizon Unlimited Plus explicitly state "Unlimited" for high-speed data allotment in this comparison.
Factors Influencing the Price of Unlimited Data
Several elements contribute to the final monthly price of an unlimited data plan:
- Carrier: Major carriers like Verizon often have higher prices but may offer broader coverage or more premium features. Smaller, budget-friendly carriers or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Total Wireless tend to offer lower costs.
- Data Cap: Plans with a higher high-speed data cap (or truly unlimited high-speed data) typically cost more.
- Included Features: Additional perks such as hotspot data, streaming service subscriptions, international calling/texting, or cloud storage can increase the plan's price.
- Number of Lines: Many carriers offer discounts per line when you add multiple lines to a family plan, making the per-line cost significantly cheaper than a single-line plan.
- Promotions and Bundles: New customer sign-up bonuses, bundling with home internet, or auto-pay discounts can lower the monthly fee.
In summary, "unlimited data" is not a fixed price. It's a service whose cost is determined by the specific provider and the actual high-speed data allowance and features included in the plan.
