AT&T and other internet providers have begun subtly implementing data caps—for home, wired use, not on LTE. The constrictions are irritating consumers, who potentially have to spend more money for less. For cell phone plans, which largely moved away from unlimited data a few years ago, capped service is the standard and consumers expect it. It makes sense when you think about it; there are so many people using a relatively small number of towers, and wireless transmission means limitations.

But unlike your phone, your cable internet is wired. In fact, you can see the wires everywhere, hanging on utility poles. There, fiber optic cables can transfer data incredibly quickly, making internet data caps a harder a pill to swallow.