What Is a Data Allowance?

Also known as data package or data plan, the term “data allowance” refers to the amount of data you can use for browsing the Internet over 3G, 4G, or 5G. Your data usage is measured by the total amount of data sent and received online, which includes web browsing, downloads, automatic updates, video streaming, and much more.

When you sign up for a plan “regardless of the provider” you are also agreeing to a limit on your data allowance. All your online activity, meaning the amount of data you use, counts against that limit. So, it's important to choose your plan carefully. Operators offer several types of plans with daily or monthly limits.

It’s important to understand that the number of megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB) you purchase refers to data usage, not Internet speed, which is measured in bits per second (Mbps). For example, when downloading a 100MB video, the file will consume 100MB of your data allowance, regardless of whether your download speed is 1Mbps or 10Mbps.

If you frequently use the Internet to stream shows and films, watch videos on YouTube, and browse social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or Twitter, your data consumption will be high, as photos and videos use up more data and, consequently, you’ll need to purchase a plan with more GBs. Some plans offer separate daily rates for specific apps, and some operators even offer plans that don't consume your data when using certain apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp.

On the other hand, if you only use the Internet for basic tasks such as sending and receiving emails, messaging, or browsing websites, you don't need a plan with a high GB limit. Keep an eye on your monthly data usage. If it’s consistently low, it might be a good time to switch to a more affordable plan.

To check your monthly data consumption on an Android device, go to Settings “Data usage”. There, you'll see how much data you've used each month, and which apps consume the most. To view the same information on an iPhone device, go to Settings “Cellular” “Mobile Data”.

This will help you choose the plan best suited to your needs.

To find out how much data you still have available, visit your operator's website or app and log in to view your data consumption.

How can you use your data more responsibly and save data? Watch the video “Save your Internet data plan,” also by Internet Citizen: https://cidadaonarede.nic.br/en/videos/economize-seu-plano-de-internet

Additionally, many apps such as Chrome, Instagram, and YouTube have an option to lower video and image quality when using mobile data. Check the settings of these apps to see if this option is available and enabled.

Description
In the first scene, a man appears thoughtful. Above him, a phrase appears: “Do you know what ‘data allowance’ means?”.

In the next scene, the man picks up his cell phone. Next to him, the device's screen shows information about his plan and data usage. A hand then taps a button labeled “Switch Plan”. During these two scenes, the phrases “It represents the amount of mobile data you've purchased” and “When you sign up for a plan, pay attention to your data usage” appear at the top of the screen.

In the third and final scene, the man reviews available plan options on the phone screen and selects the one that best suits him. The phrase “Choose a plan that meets your needs” appears at the top of the screen, as the man smiles and gives a double thumbs-up.