Comcast eliminated one of the most contentious features of residential broadband service on Thursday, announcing new Xfinity Internet plans that drop the company's 1.2-terabyte monthly data cap in favor of unlimited usage across all tiers.
The Philadelphia-based cable giant launched four simplified nationwide plans that include unlimited data, the company's Wi-Fi gateway, and pricing options based on contract length, with no annual commitments required. The move represents the most substantial overhaul of Comcast's internet pricing structure in years and addresses what the company's own executives acknowledge as a major customer pain point.
The new plans offer download speeds ranging from 300 megabits per second to 2 gigabits, with monthly rates varying based on price guarantee length1. Customers can choose a one-year price lock, a five-year guarantee, or month-to-month "everyday pricing."
The 300Mbps plan costs $40 monthly with a one-year lock, $55 with five-year pricing, or $70 without a commitment2. The top-tier 2Gbps service runs $100, $115, or $130 respectively across the three options1. All plans include one year of free Xfinity Mobile service and upload speeds starting at 40Mbps2.
"These new everyday price plans are built on simplicity and transparency – no hidden fees, no confusion," said Steve Croney, Comcast's chief operating officer for connectivity and platforms2.
Comcast's data usage policy dates to 2008, when the company imposed a 250-gigabyte monthly limit1. The threshold gradually increased over time, reaching 300GB in 2012, 1TB in 2016, and 1.25TB in 20202. After a pandemic suspension, the company maintained the 1.2TB cap in most markets outside the Northeast, where competition from Verizon's Fios service prompted unlimited offerings2.
Customers exceeding the limit faced surcharges of $10 per additional 50GB, capped at $100 monthly, or could pay $30 extra for unlimited data2. According to PCMag, a 2021 survey found that 48% of affected subscribers were unaware they had a data cap2.
The policy shift follows Comcast's April announcement of five-year price guarantees, which included unlimited data as a key feature1. The company maintains data caps on existing customers in 27 states but has faced growing pressure from fiber providers and wireless competitors like Starlink, which has pledged to avoid data restrictions2.
Current customers can retain existing plans but will transition to the new structure when making changes3. Comcast, the nation's largest internet service provider, serves customers across 39 states4.
