Understanding Your Data Usage
How to understand what uses data, how much you use, and how to stay in control.
Most Vfast broadband services include unlimited data.
However, some WiMAX and Holiday Park packages have monthly allowances.
If your service has a limit, this guide helps you understand how everyday online activities use data so you can avoid unexpected slowdowns.
This article is especially useful for customers on:
- Fast Broadband (WiMAX)
- Holiday Park Broadband packages with allowances
What Counts as Data Usage
Every time your device sends or receives information over the internet, it uses data.
This includes:
- Watching videos (YouTube, Netflix, iPlayer)
- Scrolling social media (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram)
- Online gaming and game updates
- Video calls
- Browsing websites and emails
- Music streaming
- Cloud backups (iCloud, Google Drive)
- Smart home devices
Both downloads and uploads count toward your allowance.
How Much Data Do Common Activities Use
Video Streaming
Video uses more data than almost any other activity.
| Quality | Approx. data per hour |
|---|---|
| SD (480p) | ~0.7 GB |
| HD (720p–1080p) | ~2–3 GB |
| 4K Ultra HD | ~7–12 GB |
Music Streaming
Music uses relatively little data.
| Service | Approx. data per hour |
|---|---|
| Spotify / Apple Music | ~0.1–0.5 GB |
Even several hours per day usually only uses a few gigabytes.
Video Calls (Zoom, Teams, Skype)
| Call Type | Approx. data per hour |
|---|---|
| 1-to-1 HD call | ~1–1.5 GB |
| Group HD call | ~2–3 GB |
Long work calls can add up quickly over a month.
Online Gaming
Playing online uses very little data:
| Activity | Data per hour |
|---|---|
| Online gameplay | ~0.05–0.2 GB |
However, downloads and updates are large:
- New games: 50–150 GB
- Game updates: 5–25 GB each
If you have a limited allowance, large game downloads can use most of your monthly data very quickly.
Cloud Storage & Backups
| Activity | Typical usage |
|---|---|
| iPhone backup | 1–5 GB (sometimes more) |
| Google Photos upload | Several GB for large photo sets |
| PC/Mac cloud backup | 10–100 GB depending on settings |
Automatic backups can quietly use large amounts of data in the background.
Social Media
Many social apps play video automatically.
| App | Typical usage |
|---|---|
| TikTok | ~0.8–2 GB per hour |
| ~0.5–1 GB per hour | |
| ~0.3–1.5 GB per hour |
Short videos add up quickly if you scroll for long periods.
How to Estimate Your Monthly Usage
Every household uses the internet differently depending on:
- Number of people
- Streaming quality
- Gaming and downloads
- Work-from-home use
- Smart devices
To get a personalised estimate, you can use an online calculator such as:
This lets you enter your typical activities and gives a realistic usage estimates.
Tips to Reduce Data Usage
- Use lower streaming quality
SD or “Data Saver” modes reduce usage significantly - Avoid large downloads on limited plans
Game and system updates can use tens of gigabytes - Control automatic backups
Set them to run only when needed - Limit background uploads
Apps like OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Photos can use large amounts of data - Check smart devices
Cameras and doorbells can upload constantly
How to Check Your Usage (WiMAX Customers)
If you are on a WiMAX package, you can check usage at any time:
- Log in at my.vfast.co.uk
- Select Airfibre Broadband
- View your monthly graphs under Usage
- Purchase Bolt-ons if needed
See Understanding Your Data Allowance for full package rules.
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