How To Tell the FCC to Eliminate Broadband Data Caps

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Every year, I’m losing money due to broadband data caps, which also create constant stress in my life. These caps are unjust, unwarranted, and exploitative. It’s about time the FCC has decided to seek public feedback and address the issue of data caps.

As we approach what could be one of the most pivotal elections in our lives, pushing for the elimination of broadband data caps is equally crucial. It’s essential that you voice your concerns, and I’m here to guide you on how to submit your comments to the FCC. First, though, let’s delve into why data caps are such a major problem.

Data Caps Induce Stress and Anxiety

In today’s world, broadband internet is as vital as water or electricity. Avoiding this fact is just a waste of time.

I typically spend over $200 monthly on a basic package from Comcast, which includes TV channels and internet services with speeds of up to 400Mbps. Recently, Comcast increased their speeds for free, but it seems there’s always a catch: I’m limited to 1.23TB of data each month. If my family of four exceeds that limit, there are extra charges.

The structure for these additional fees is confusing, involving “data blocks” of 50GB for an extra $10, up to a max of $100. To add to the complexity, there’s a one-time annual waiver that lets you go over the cap without a charge—but that disappears if you exceed the cap more than once each year. In some northeastern states, Comcast didn’t charge these overage fees at all due to competition from Verizon’s FIOS—but that changed in 2020 and then again in 2021 after protests from the public.

The FCC has attempted to promote clarity in internet service fees with these labels.

This past July, when I exceeded my data cap, I was informed that my charges would be waived due to a one-time courtesy month. Yet, Comcast still charged me—claiming it was a “mistake.” Right.

Now, I find myself constantly checking Comcast Xfinity to see my data usage. Do I have enough data available for my family’s new computers? What about for my work devices at PCWorld? Do I have sufficient data to download a new game? While my family isn’t heavy internet users, it feels like our monthly allowance vanishes faster than expected.

“The notion that weighs heavily on consumers is the word ‘stress’,” noted FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in the agency’s Notice of Inquiry concerning broadband data caps. “The mental burden of constantly monitoring your usage of an essential service is genuine, as is the frustration from many consumers who feel these caps are unreasonable and expensive.” Well said.

Data Caps Are Unfair and Discriminatory

While most major cities in the U.S. have the option of multiple broadband ISPs, fostering competition and lowering prices, many suburbs and gated communities face a lack of choices. That’s why I was excited to test T-Mobile’s 5G home internet service in 2021, which promised more affordability and no data caps. Unfortunately, my home location didn’t have sufficient coverage at the time.

Looking from my house, I can observe a neighboring city where a local provider offers unlimited gigabit internet at a fraction of Comcast’s cost—all without data caps. But digging the necessary trenches to bring that fiber to my home isn’t feasible, and my local government hasn’t taken action either. So I remain trapped in a broadband monopoly with no options but to negotiate lower rates with Comcast annually.

The frustration compounds when I realize that many eastern states don’t have to contend with Comcast’s data caps, while those of us in other regions still do.

Data Caps Are Arbitrary and Artificial

Yes, I could spend more for unlimited broadband access, and perhaps you could too. But why is that necessary?

Most mobile service providers offer unlimited calls and texts, with many also providing unlimited data. While abroad, I’ve been able to purchase SIM cards with unlimited data plans that serve as broadband internet sources—such as during my travels in Taiwan and Germany.

It seems that a substantial corporation like Comcast, which reported $4 billion in profits last quarter, could reinvest some profits into relaxing their data cap policies for everyone.

But this hasn’t happened. And it likely won’t, which is why government intervention may be necessary—and why I urge you to support that initiative. Here’s how to voice your opinion.

To register a public comment, visit the FCC’s Express Comment Filing System—a simple web form that prompts you for details.

The critical entry is for the Proceeding(s). You need to enter a specific docket number; for this particular case, it’s 23-199, as indicated in the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry (PDF).

Just input 23-199 in the Proceeding(s) field, and a pop-up should appear displaying 23-199 | Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans. Select that option.

The FCC’s electronic comment filing system.

You can then proceed to fill out other required fields. Remember, this comment is not anonymous; it forms part of the public record and can be reviewed by anyone.

Be mindful of the deadline for comments: submit your feedback by November 14, 2024. Following that, you have until December 2, 2024, to respond to other comments.

Share your experience! For once, the government is prepared to listen.

In this revised version, the content has been rephrased to ensure uniqueness and reflect human-like expression while maintaining the essence of the original message.