You did everything right. You had a compatible 5G phone, an eligible prepaid plan, and you claimed your "Unlimited 5G Data" offer. For weeks, you enjoyed blazing-fast speeds, downloading, streaming, and gaming without a care in the world.
Then, around the 300GB mark, it happened. The warp-speed connection vanished. You're left with sluggish speeds, or worse, your 5G connection reverts entirely to 4G/LTE.
The problem isn't a technical glitch, nor is it a random network failure. It's a carefully crafted policy known as the Fair Usage Policy (FUP), and it's the invisible hand throttling your internet access.
🤯 The Truth: "Unlimited" Doesn't Mean Infinite
The sudden death of your high-speed 5G service is the direct consequence of Airtel enforcing a hidden data cap, which they have now clarified in their terms and conditions, largely following directives from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Here is the simple, painful reason your 5G stopped after 300GB:
1. The "Personal Use" Clause is the Key
Airtel's "Unlimited 5G Data" is framed as an introductory offer intended only for "personal and non-commercial use."
The Limit: Airtel has explicitly stated in their updated terms that data usage beyond approximately 300GB in a 30-day period will be considered as commercial usage or usage that violates the non-commercial terms.
The Consequence: Once the network's automated systems detect that your cumulative 5G consumption has crossed this ≈300 GB threshold, your connection is immediately flagged. The 5G network is either suspended, or the speed is severely throttled back to a nominal 4G speed for the remainder of your recharge cycle.
2. Network Management and Economics
From the operator's standpoint, this cap is a necessary evil to maintain a viable network for everyone:
Resource Protection: A small percentage of extreme users—those consistently using 500 GB or 1 TB per month—can consume a massive share of the limited wireless network capacity. The FUP ensures that the network backbone isn't perpetually choked by a few heavy consumers, thereby protecting the quality of service for the average user.
Preventing Fixed Broadband Replacement: Wireless 5G is not meant to be a full-time, high-usage replacement for fiber optic fixed broadband (like Airtel Xstream Fiber). The 300 GB cap discourages users from using a 5G mobile connection as the primary internet source for an entire household or a small business, which places undue strain on mobile towers.
🧐 Troubleshooting Checklist: What to Do After Hitting the 300GB Cap
If your Airtel 5G has stopped specifically after high usage, here is a targeted action plan:
Confirm Your Usage: Check the Airtel Thanks App for your exact data consumption since the last recharge date. If you're near or over the 300 GB mark, the FUP is the most likely culprit.
Wait for the Reset: If the FUP is the reason, the high-speed 5G will not resume until your 30-day cycle date is over and the benefit is renewed. There is typically no manual way for customer support to instantly lift the cap.
Check for "5G Plus" / "5G SA": In some regions and on specific devices, the unlimited benefit is tied to the stronger Airtel 5G Plus (Standalone or SA) network indicator. Fluctuations between 4G and 5G on Non-Standalone (NSA) networks can still consume your base 4G quota, but the 300 GB cap applies to the overall 5G benefit.
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⏳ What Now? The Reset and Recovery
If you are a victim of the 300GB FUP, a simple restart won't help. The limitation is tied to your account's usage metrics within your billing cycle.
1. How to Confirm the FUP Status
Check the App: The most reliable way is to check your usage tracker in the Airtel Thanks App. If your 5G data consumption is near or over 300 GB, the FUP is the confirmed reason for the speed drop.
Look for Throttling: If your speeds have dropped to 4G or even slower speeds, you are experiencing the throttle.
2. When Will My 5G Return?
The 300 GB limit is enforced on a 30-day cycle, which is typically tied to the date you last recharged your eligible plan.
The Reset Date: Your high-speed 5G service will only resume on the renewal date of your base recharge plan. A new recharge will not reset the FUP immediately; you must wait for the current 30-day cycle to conclude.
3. A Word of Warning on Hotspots
Be extremely cautious about using the mobile hotspot feature with the unlimited 5G offer. Network terms often classify mobile hotspot usage as a potential breach of the "personal use" term, and some users report that this activity can trigger the suspension or throttling even faster.
⚖️ The Verdict: Better Communication is Needed
While a Fair Usage Policy is understandable in network economics, the sheer frustration stems from the lack of transparency. Network providers have a duty to clearly and loudly state the existence of a significant usage limit on any plan advertised as "unlimited."
For now, the lesson is clear: The current era of "unlimited 5G" on Airtel has a very real, measurable ceiling. Adjust your large downloads accordingly, or be prepared for the sudden, slow reality that hits after 300GB.
Have you hit the 300GB wall? Share your experience below and tell us if your 5G service reset automatically at the end of your cycle!
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