Fair use and reduced speed: what they really mean
Every “unlimited” plan in the industry has a daily limit at full speed. The difference is whether you're told before you pay or it's left in the small print.
What is a fair use policy?
It's the amount of full-speed data you get each day. When you go over it you don't lose your internet: you keep browsing at a lower speed until the next day starts, and then you have the full allowance again.
- Your connection isn't cut off and you're not charged extra: the plan has a fixed price.
- It resets every day, so one day of heavy use doesn't ruin the rest of the trip.
- The allowance and the speed afterwards vary by country, because they depend on each destination's network.
What can you do at reduced speed?
It depends on how slow it gets, which is why we always give a number rather than just saying “reduced speed”.
- At 1 Mbps messaging, maps and searching still work. Good-quality video and large downloads don't.
- At 256 Kbps things get quite tight: it's fine for text messages and not much else, with patience.
- Either way, the sensible thing is to leave anything heavy for the hotel Wi-Fi: video, photo backups and updates.
The real allowance for each destination that offers it
| Destination | Per day at full speed | Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| United Kingdom | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| France | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Italy | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Portugal | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Switzerland | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Spain | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| South Korea | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Thailand | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| United States | 2 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Vietnam | 2 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Indonesia | 2 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Japan | 2 GB | 256 Kbps |
Figures from the Glowi catalogue. All other destinations offer plans by GB, with no daily allowance.
A GB plan or an unlimited GB plan?
- GB plan. Works well when you roughly know how much you'll use and won't go over: you pay for a set amount and use it whenever you like within the validity period.
- Unlimited GB plan. Works well when your use is high or unpredictable: each day you start with a full allowance and, even if you use it up, you stay connected at a lower speed.
- The useful question isn't “how much do I need in total” but “how much do I use on a normal day”. If your typical day fits within the allowance, the unlimited plan gives you peace of mind.
If you have no idea what your usage looks like, start with how much data you need for a trip.
Frequently asked questions
So is it unlimited or not?
The data doesn't run out: what's limited is the speed once you pass the daily allowance. We'd rather say it plainly, with the allowance and the speed written down before you pay.
Does the allowance reset at midnight?
It resets on each day of the plan. If you hit the limit in the afternoon, the next day you have the full allowance again.
Can I pay more to get out of reduced speed?
There are no extra payments within a plan. If you need more, the option is to buy another plan for the destination.
Can I see it anywhere before I buy?
Yes: the allowance and the speed afterwards are on the plan card on each destination page, in the “what's included” box and in the delivery email.
Check the allowance before you buy
Plans from €2.95, with the daily allowance and the speed afterwards written on each destination's page.