# iPhone is really unlimited data?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168 "2009-09-15T13:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/1 "2009-09-15T13:54:19Z")
This is kinda a GQ thread, but with a bit of MPSIMS flare… So I have my new iPhone (US customer) and am enjoying Pandora radio over the 3G network (no wifi available). I know my plan says unlimited data, but it boggles my mind that I am able to suck up bandwidth listening to my Pixies station. The nontrusting side of me is expecting a $20,000 bill be due next month. Gotta say, love this phone! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/2 "2009-09-15T14:10:09Z")
There _MAY_ be a 5GB/month cap, but it’s a double-secret-cap if it’s in effect. > **[AT&T's 5GB Wireless Broadband Mystery Cap - Heavy users can prepare to pay...](http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATTs-5GB-Wireless-Broadband-Mystery-Cap-92746)** > > News: For years, Verizon Wireless was trying to have their cake and eat it too, by advertising their EVDO service as unlimited, but quietly imposing a 5GB monthly cap. That advertising charade ended courtesy of NY's attorney gener ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/3 "2009-09-15T15:24:00Z")
And, of course, only \*some \*data is unlimited. Text messages are just data, but that’s charged out the ass. Tethering (using your iPhone as a cellular modem for your computer) is also just data, but they \*really \*don’t like you doing that… since they plan on charging an outrageous amount of money for that sometime in the future. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/4 "2009-09-15T15:30:33Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > And, of course, only \*some \*data is unlimited. Text messages are just data, but that’s charged out the ass. Tethering (using your iPhone as a cellular modem for your computer) is also just data, but they \*really \*don’t like you doing that… since they plan on charging an outrageous amount of money for that sometime in the future. Wasn’t there some kid who tethered his phone for a few hours and got some outrageous bill? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/5 "2009-09-15T15:43:53Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Wasn’t there some kid who tethered his phone for a few hours and got some outrageous bill? Probably. There was someone (from here?) that got an unlocked iPhone and didn’t have it attached to a phone service. When his router went down, it switched from WiFi and phoned into the nearest tower while he was playing Pandora all night, and got slapped with the bill. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-is-really-unlimited-data/510168/6 "2009-09-16T01:43:02Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > I know my plan says unlimited data, but it boggles my mind that I am able to suck up bandwidth listening to my Pixies station. \*\* The nontrusting side of me is expecting a $20,000 bill be due next month\*\*. > > Gotta say, love this phone! LOL, I was the same way the first month with Rogers in Canada, I have a six gig bucket and for the most part I only use up to a gig with most applications. I cant get pandora in Canada, but I do have a radio app which probably sucks down the data like a V8 with a twofour carb. You should check with AT&T if you get a text message at 80 percent of your cap. Declan