Is Unlimited Mobile Broadband and Data a Thing of the Past?

Short of obscure local providers, no major mobile carriers offer unlimited mobile broadband anymore. Finding a carrier with unlimited data for phones is getting increasingly difficult as well. Could it be the days of unlimited access to the Internet are a thing of the past?

The Reason Behind Limits

Many mobile carriers, most recently Verizon, offered unlimited mobile broadband and data only to end the offer after a few years. Mobile broadband seems to be the service which is limited first as there is more overall data usage. In 2011, they also limited data to just 5 GB a month, which is the typical limit enforced by most carriers. Some offer as much as 10 GB, but you'll pay much more a month.

According to most releases by these carriers, the reason the services are suddenly limited is due to overuse. The carriers didn't expect users to actually use the service short of checking email apparently. Mobile broadband wasn't meant to be an alternative to other high speed Internet services, according to the mobile providers. However, this was exactly how it was advertised, as an alternative and a way to have access on the go.

Due to excessive use, the carriers' equipment isn't able to offer high speed data rates. It is too expensive to upgrade the equipment, so they limit users and often increase rates. Overage charges actually benefit the carriers, yet they still state it is too expensive to upgrade, so only minor patches are made.

Limiting 4G

Following the above reasoning, carriers started creating 4G networks with higher grade equipment to handle real data use. This use being people actually using the Internet in home and on the go, whether it be mobile broadband or smartphone data use. However, as 4G networks are growing past a few select cities (though the networks are still laughable in size), data limits are being slammed into place. It appears as if this new network still isn't capable of offering what carriers promise.

5 GB Is Enough

Not even close. 5 GB is set as limit because for the most part, users will go over at some point. Currently, Sprint is actually the only major carrier offering true unlimited data for smartphones; however, this may be ending soon as they recently ended their unlimited mobile broadband usage plans. Smaller carriers, such as Virgin Mobile, who utilize the Sprint network for their service, still over unlimited, but they decrease speeds after you reach your monthly limit. No overages, but you will have to settle for slower speeds.

Despite what the charts indicate, it is easy to go over 5 GB each month simply by surfing the Internet. Watch a few YouTube videos each day and you'll easily go over. Stream two movies on Netflix and you'll see you usage hit the limit quickly. All the Internet services available are not an option for those forced to only use 5 GB or less a month.

Unlimited is offered, in most cases, to get users to sign up for a contract. Within a few months, the unlimited service is suddenly over. You get to keep the service until you need a new device and then you are right back to limited services again.

Why We Need Unlimited Data From Mobile

Cable providers refuse to offer access to everyone. Satellite is expensive and slow. Even dial-up isn't available everywhere. While there isn't mobile access everywhere, it does offer a high speed alternative. The Internet is a major resource, yet even cable providers want to limit access. If mobile carriers don't begin offering unlimited data for broadband and smartphones, cable may be the next to limit access. If all providers limit our usage, no one will be able to use streaming services, play online games or even socialize on Facebook without going over. With limits, Internet based business may very well fail.

Are the days of unlimited Internet through mobile carriers at an end? Let's hope not.