+62 votes
by (340 points)
I didn’t factor this in when I switched to Ring. I didn’t even think about it because I never go over my limit for data, but I was just notified by Comcast that I had exceeded my data limit for the month. I’m only 10 days into the cycle. Does Ring really use that much data? Follow on question: if so, who do you use for internet where this is not an issue?  
I didn’t factor this in when I switched to Ring.

39 Answers

0 votes
by (1.3k points)
 
Best answer
I would get a router that allows you to see all devices connected and how much data they use. I have google Wifi mesh routers and can see exactly how much data my 5 ring cameras use. What is your data limit? I have a 1TB limit but the ring devices barely make a dent in it. My gaming consoles and streaming apps use the majority of it
by (340 points)
@goalkeeper I have a google onhub router by tplink. I was able to see all devices but not data on the google WiFi app,  
by (1.3k points)
Click on devices. There should be a section that says real time. Tap that and you can change it to last 30 days
0 votes
by (3.6k points)
Who doesn't have unlimited data this day in age.  
by (340 points)
@aletheaalethiahew Dickson I agree, but apparently the Comcast default plans have a data limit of 1024 GB per month
by (3.6k points)
Id go through your phone and see what has constant access to data and turnoff stuff. Or make them only use data when the app is open. Might help a lot
by (340 points)
@aletheaalethiahew Dickson This is my home internet. Not cellular
by (1.5k points)
@aletheaalethiahew Dickson Comcast and a few of the other megas have data caps in certain areas. It's a cash grab, you can pay an extra 50$ a month for unlimited if I remember correctly
by (340 points)
@crossway Correct.  
by (520 points)
@aletheaalethia unlimited yes, but they still throttle after 1tb.  
by (5.3k points)
Cox has a 1024 gb limit, but even with 5 cams I seldom go over 500 gb.  
by (3.6k points)
@hampden61 Spectrum
by (4.9k points)
A TB should be more than enough. I have 6 cams, and average 200-250GB/month. I also use cloud storage which runs every night, game on weekends, stream Netflix, Amazon, etc. every night, and use Teamviewer between home and work.  
0 votes
by (3.6k points)
Do you have minutes too?  
by (340 points)
@aletheaalethiahew Dickson Might as well.  
0 votes
by (560 points)
@shortst call till after 9pm
by (340 points)
@autobiography97 This is home internet not cellular
0 votes
by (270 points)
Slightly confused here but our internet service has no data limits so no problems there, and my phone only connects when I ask it too, notifications for alerts dont effect my phone data at all
by (340 points)
@obbard This is home internet
by (270 points)
@aletheaalethia we are in the UK there is no data restriction at all on our fibre services so that's why I was confused, do you have limits in the US?  
by (340 points)
@obbard Yes, cable internet
by (780 points)
@aletheaalethia not all states in the US have these caps. I’m in Maryland and have no caps
by (340 points)
@elisa I’m thinking about switching to ATT for tv/internet. Comcast has always been terrible, but it was the only option for a long time
by (110 points)
@aletheaalethia When AT&T bundles they do unlimited internet. They may still throttle but at least there's no extra charge.  
0 votes
by (470 points)
That's very odd. What Ring device do you have, and is any one else in your household sharing the same plan? Oh, and is this your home I assume, or your cellphone?  
by (340 points)
@obbard Lee Home
by (340 points)
@obbard Lee I use the security system and doorbell
by (470 points)
Just to make sure, have you logged into your router to see what devices are connected to your internet?  
by (340 points)
@obbard Lee No, but I intend to do that today.  
0 votes
by (340 points)
Just to clarify, this is my home internet, not my cell provider. I have unlimited data with Verizon wireless. But my home internet is through Comcast and they cap me at 1024 GB/ month
0 votes
by (5.3k points)
I discovered that if I just viewed history I did not have a problem, but if I did live view, it would keep running if I did not hit the red phone image to hang up.  
0 votes
by (280 points)
I’m on Comcast, and have a ring doorbell and 4 cameras. Last month I used a total of 345gb of the 1024gb limit. I’d say something, someone is using the bulk of your data. Go onto XFi and check usage by device. In the last 2 years I’ve only gone over my limit once, and that was when my son lived here ( serious gamer/YouTuber). Ring should not be your issue ( mine are set to snapshot, best resolution, and my doorbell picks up every vehicle that goes down the drive, this is intentional)
0 votes
by (1.5k points)
Change to XFI advantage, I just did no limits.  
0 votes
by (1.2k points)
We have 3 rings and 2 camera systems with 4 cameras each. Use ruku on 2 tvs and we dont use 1/2 of out 1024 gb. We have comcast. Is someone else steeling your wifi.  
by (340 points)
@fritzsche I’m checking that now
by (340 points)
@fritzsche Is there a free way to check the router activity?  
by (1.2k points)
@aletheaalethia I have the blackhawk router and I can check everything using it at the time Im checking it. Is your password protected. If it is, you can log into it and change the password. You will have to reenter the new password in to evertthing thats on it. You can log into your internet account and see how much your using everyday. Might have to keep a log on it. For one day dont use your router and the next day see if anything was used.  
0 votes
by (520 points)
I had to switch to a business plan. 3 ring devices, 3 wyze device, a 17 yr old so ps4, laptop, phone . 10yr old, constant stream . alexa device in each room. 5 cell phones. 4 other computers.  
0 votes
by (1.6k points)
I just want to suggest there could be another problem causing the high data use. My son suddenly saw his data use skyrocket. After spending time tracking down which device, turned out to be an Amazon tablet. He had placed some videos on the tablet. It then tried to backup the video files, it would abort mid stream as the file uploaded would have exceeded his storage limit. It would reupload at least daily, failing each time. Each attempt used a lot of bandwidth. May not be related to your issue, but did want to point out it could be something else too.  
by (340 points)
@pamela thanks
0 votes
by (160 points)
It does not need data - it works on WiFi - either you’re losing WiFi periodically or the data is being used by another source.  
by (560 points)
@belgae97710 this is a joke, right? ie, understanding that wifi is just how data moves around a specific area (ie, your home, office, etc) but not how it moves from that place to some sort of central server sitting in a different country, state, etc.  
by (560 points)
@kunz51 I think she was just punking us. and got us all to respond. i feel punked. :)
by (560 points)
@kunz51 in fairness, we weren't told what IT stood for.  
by (1.6k points)
@belgae97710 your cameras DO use data.  
by (620 points)
I’ve got the feeling Cindy isn’t familiar with the differences and similarities of broadband and cellular. And also might not be aware that in some areas broadband has data limits. @belgae97710, anytime data comes into or leaves your own home network, data is being used. You may have an unlimited broadband internet in your home but most Comcast subscribers have a limit that they have to keep an eye on.  
0 votes
by (580 points)
Have you checked your cables they could be faulty and allowing the data to leak.  
by (340 points)
@himes Never heard of that. Please explain
by (620 points)
@himes now that’s gotta be a joke. It’s a joke. right?  
by (580 points)
@czarevitch do you think it is?  
by (620 points)
@himes I DONT KNOW!  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Home Internet with data caps? We don’t have that in Cali?  
by (580 points)
@dropping @sverre61 lots of home internet still has data caps. Most people just aren’t aware cuz your average user won’t ever hit those caps.  
by (130 points)
@himes yep we just got the same msg this week and trying to figure out what to do next
by (4.6k points)
@dropping @sverre61 yes we do. all Xfinity Comcast plans have a data cap except for gigabit. Same with att except for fiber
by (1.3k points)
@dropping @sverre61 I’m in Cali and my internet had a 1tb cap
by (440 points)
@dropping @sverre61 - Comcast does in Sacramento. Just you’ve gotta kind of try to hit 1TB/mo.  
by (1.6k points)
@dropping @sverre61 yes you do.  
0 votes
by (400 points)
Hey @aletheaalethia, That’s a red flag. I’d immediately change the password on the wireless router. Then do a factory reset to kick off any changes people had access to. I have a household of three, 2 cams and a data cap of 1024. My motion goes off 10x a day (plus). I’m at 709gb We are always on WiFi for 4K content streaming and video games. Reset that password. Cheers.  
by (340 points)
@fontanel Did it this morning
0 votes
by (650 points)
Ring doorbell here, I watch it quite often during the day. My son uses the WiFi for school daily (home schooled) our smart devices are all connected as well as 4 cell phones. and I never use more than 300gb. I would download xFi and see what all is connected.  
0 votes
by (160 points)
Probably not Ring. Do you have a TV streamer device which is constantly playing even when you are not watching? Do you have multiple computers that save their data on the cloud? Are you doing Plex or some such video sharing? Do youhave the 1 terabyte cap?  
0 votes
by (1.8k points)
@aletheaalethia, I have the exact same issue. I have a RVD, FLC, and one wired Stick Up Cam. I have to regularly take active measures (including this month), to limit the number of recordings on my cameras to try to stay under the Xfinity data cap. It doesn’t help that I have three daughters who love streaming video as well, but it has prevented me from adding additional Ring devices until I figure out a better solution.  
0 votes
by (1.4k points)
Between smart home, Ring, and mostly streaming services, my internet usage is surprisingly high. However, I don't have a data cap and it is unlimited bandwidth. Your best solution rather than try to limit your usage is to switch to an unlimited plan if available.  
0 votes
by (760 points)
There are adjustments you can make. That happened to us the first months we had RING. Now it never happens. Good luck.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Do you have other ISPs you can choose from?  
0 votes
by (620 points)
Home internet has no data limits.  
by (110 points)
@elephantine Comcast has terabyte cap.  
by (1k points)
My mother lives in a very rural area. Her "home internet" is a Verizon Jetpack. So your statement maybe true for your area, not all areas.  
by (1.3k points)
@elephantine you should say that your home internet has no limits (currently) but more and more home internet companies are implementing them as a way to collect extra money from ppl who cut cable and stream a lot
by (620 points)
by (2.5k points)
@elephantine comcast (xfinity) does have a cap in my area and I'm approaching it - but I do have over 47 devices which includes four cameras and a doorbell. It's a concern for me as well and I'm watching it. Ideally I want all (except) exterior) cameras off while at home and automation that shut 's things down when not in use (geo-fencing).  
by (620 points)
@kunz51 Spurbeck wow. No data limits in my area.  
by (2.5k points)
@elephantine that would be nice! Comcast has an option for 1 mb speed with no data caps but it's 50% higher than I'm paying now.  
by (620 points)
@kunz51 Spurbeck 1mb speed that’s it! I have 1gig download over 1gig upload (1000mb’s)speed no data limits. Verizon fios.  
by (2.5k points)
@elephantine I just called comcast to try to find out how much data I am using - after going back and forth, they were able to provide this info - I'm at between 650-850 gb, I get up to 1TB before they start charging. If I increase my speed from 200 mbs to 1 gbs my rate goes up an extra 26. 00/mos and if I add unlimited data I am obligated to pay an extra 25. 00 mos for this service via a comcast provided modem - if I use my own modem they charge an extra 40. 00 mos! I don't get it.  
by (620 points)
@kunz51 Spurbeck wow. Glad I have Verizon.  
0 votes
by (770 points)
This is our bandwidth usage in our home that we recently purchased that is awaiting a remodel. We’re not living there yet so there’s very little downloader data usage. 1 Ring Pro and 3 Other Ring cams all enabled with the Snapshot feature. There’s hardly any outdoor motion alerts and the majority of the recordings are of me working in the garage once a week. 51gb uploaded last month and 56gb uploaded this month for reference points. So that’s around 13GB per camera per month being uploaded with what I would consider very minimum motion triggers/recordings.  
0 votes
by (3.8k points)
My house uses a ton of data. I have 6 cams and the alarm system. We have come close to our limit but have not met it yet. I’d check your other devices first.  
0 votes
by (1.9k points)
Yeah, Ring doesn’t use much data unless there’s constant activity that is always triggering the recording. I’m assuming that the 24/7 recording feature of wired cameras are still not enabled.  
by (1.9k points)
@solarizey Fortuna yeah, my 3 Nest cams alone uses 80% of my 1 TB data cap  
by (6k points)
@solarizey Fortuna How much per month for unlimited
by (6k points)
@solarizey Fortuna I pay £20 pm for unlimited everything Data. Minutes hotspot etc no roaming fees in over 70 countries. Speed average 100mbps dl 90mbps UL I smash half a tb a month it's mobile data A sim card in a mifi device That's about $26 usd pm in total By how much. I meant what do nest charge u for cloud storage I bought 2 nest cams took them back. Nest want £240 per year for storage more per additional cam I bought ring instead r2db and four stick up cams. £80 a year for unlimited cloud backups of video.  
0 votes
by (1k points)
I personally have never run into a data cap for home internet. That's with running 4 wired Spotlight cams, 1 VD Pro, 1 indoor Nest cam, 2 phones, 3 tablets and a FireTV used a high majority of every day for the past few years.  
by (580 points)
@kery627 hitting data caps is kinda hard tbh for an average user.  
by (1k points)
@himes fair enough.  
0 votes
by (580 points)
Curious do you have a amazon device like fire stick or something along those lines? Had a family member who went over on his cap because of it. He was turning off tv but device kept streaming in the background.  
by (340 points)
@himes yes, we have several.  
by (580 points)
@aletheaalethia his fix was connecting the fire stick to the usb on the tv so when tv is turned off it turns off fire stick. When you power it separately it continues to run in background.  
by (340 points)
@himes Smart. Thanks for the advice
by (340 points)
@himes So the usb in the TV will actually power the fire stick. never knew that
by (580 points)
@aletheaalethia yup my tv has 2 inputs only 1 of them provides enough power to power it on. I have 3 fire stick and 1 fire TV set up this way.  
0 votes
by (340 points)
Thank you everyone
0 votes
by (3.2k points)
Fire comcast
0 votes
by (2.1k points)
Home internet with data limits?  
0 votes
by (410 points)
I have AT&T same cap as you (1024 Gig) and I never come close to my cap. For reference, we stream TV via Sling (1 via fire box and one smart TV), have multiple smart phones and tablets, 2 ring doorbells, 2 wifi cameras, 4 ring pathlights, multiple smart bulbs and plugs, and a laptop.  
by (580 points)
@jacqualinejacquard yeah I always go over the cap. Had to upgrade to unlimited.  
by (410 points)
@himes at&t doesn't offer that here. I have a choice between AT&T 50/10 service with a cap, or satellite internet.  
by (580 points)
@jacqualinejacquard well good thing you don’t go over then. The gigabit fiber plan is the only one that has it here.  
by (410 points)
But, like I said, I stay below 75% of my cap. Never have gone over.  
by (410 points)
It always makes me wonder what people could possibly be doing to use that much in a month. I work from home (telework) full time, stream TV, have multiple echoes and smart devices.  
by (2.5k points)
@jacqualinejacquard I need to check into what is using all the data. I'm at 650-850 and increasing my devices. I have switches, smart plugs, bulbs, ring Cams (4), ring doorbell pro, nest thermostat. and the ring alarm system with all of its sensors. I also have roku, amazon TV cube, logitec hub, PC and my work laptop, 4 Google nest hubs, amazon show 10, and 2 amazon show 5. Geez, listing all these devices makes me realize just how much stuff I have - amazing that everything works!  
by (410 points)
@kunz51 Spurbeck you sound like me!  Definitely check in to what is using data. Streaming TV is what uses the most on mine. I've heard that AT&T TV now (streaming service used to be direct TV now) is a huge data hog compared to the others. Internet/online gaming is a huge data drain, too.  
by (2.5k points)
@jacqualinejacquard I did have my two sons staying here at different times as they attended college - one had an x-box and both had laptop/phone. The younger one got an apartment near school- the oldest is now here and has been home most the day-he just started his masters and will be moving out this week or next - have a feeling data rates may drop.  
by (2.5k points)
@jacqualinejacquard called comcast and talked to a pretty well-informed rep. He agreed with your comment and would be surprised if I exceed half the data cap and would not recommend paying extra for unlimited data. I'm going to monitor it but feel more confident I won't exceed my 1tb cap. Still disappointed with the fact that comcast imposes a 1Tb data cap - unneeded. I was on spectrum in WI - felt I was more valued as a customer. Comcast is getting better but not there yet, data caps are an example.  
0 votes
by (6k points)
I use mobile data. About 40GB this month on Ring. I've unlimited sim card that I use in a mifi for all data that needs it at home. Only , £20 per month. I use about 500GB A month also a unlimited sim in my phone. I use about the same. So a TB per month for everything. I didn't realise there were plans that were limited still. Get yourself unlimited data
0 votes
by (150 points)
I have no limit with spectrum internet.  
by (580 points)
@buprestid47 you sure? I used to have the 1TB cap when I had spectrum before too.  
by (2.5k points)
@buprestid47 I don't think (for those that do have caps) a lot of folks are aware of these caps. I know comcast makes no mention of it-i know I was surprised! Comcast will (after two warnings) charge 10. 00 for every 50 gb data used above the 1 TB limit to a max of 200. 00.  
0 votes
by (4.9k points)
I have Comcast with unlimited data. Talk to them about updating your package, a special brought my bill down, and gave me unlimited data and faster speeds.  
by (2.5k points)
@segment9 What sort of package did you wind up with?  
by (2.5k points)
@segment9 Seems like pulling teeth to get comcast to review your current services and provide options that are a good fit. Best deals go to new customers and loyal customers pay premium-a lot of these providers follow this subscription model.  
by (4.9k points)
I had bought a new modem that would allow me to take advantage of my full 600Mbps, and called them to activate it. They were falling all over themselves to get me to take the package that upgraded my 600Mb to 1000Mb, and keeping the same TV, but adding landline (which I do not use). It brought my monthly from $171 to $135. The deal included a new Comcast mesh router/modem, so I sent the one I bought back to amazon. We have been using Comcast for 20 years.  
0 votes
by (4.9k points)
So in the next few months there is going to be a LOT more competition for ISPs Space X is about to activate their satellite ISP system Amazon is not far behind them In the next year I expect prices will drop and data limits to likely go away Also heres the exact usage of my driveway cam for the last 30 days, which does not get triggered by passing traffic except sometimes at night. Only around 15 Gig
0 votes
by (1.5k points)
Switch to comcast xfi ADVANTAGE. No limits
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
@aletheaalethia you must be capturing tons of motion. I have 4 ring cams wired recording 1 minute videos and I average about 125 GB per month for all the devices in my home.  
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