Freedom and Fair Use in Unlimited Services
There’s something comforting about seeing the word “unlimited” on your mobile plan. It feels like a promise of endless freedom—stream as much as you want, scroll all night, or call your best friend without checking the clock. For many people, unlimited services represent peace of mind and the flexibility to live online without restrictions. But here’s the catch: unlimited doesn’t always mean truly without limits. That’s where “fair use” comes in. Most carriers include a fair use policy to keep things balanced. It’s their way of making sure no single user overloads the network and spoils the experience for everyone else. In practice, this might mean slower speeds after a certain amount of heavy streaming or gaming, or restrictions on tethering your phone to multiple devices. At first glance, fair use might sound like a hidden restriction. But for most people, it’s not something you’ll ever notice in your day-to-day browsing, chatting, or watching shows. It’...