New site helps consumers track data usage

Nonprofit groups Public Knowledge, Mozilla Foundation and the Open Source Democracy Foundation launched a website to help consumers stay under their mobile data usage caps.

All of the major carriers except Sprint impose fees if consumers exceed their plan's monthly data limits. The website, whatismycap.org, allows users to select their wireless carrier and then determine how many hours of video they can watch before triggering the extra fees. "At top advertised speeds, consumers can use up an entire month’s worth of data in well under an hour," Michael Weinberg, Public Knowledge staff attorney said. "It also means that using your device in ways your carrier touts in advertising will quickly drive you into expensive overcharge territory. This new site allows consumers to understand what their caps really mean and urge the FCC to ask hard questions about why the caps exist."