What is a metered connection?

A metered connection, also known as a metered network, is when you have a limited amount of data per month (or sometimes by day), and if you go over that amount, you have to pay additional fees.

You can think of a metered connection like a cell phone data plan. Every month you have X amount of GB of data to use, but if you go over that amount, you get charged extra.

With some metered connections, there may be an option to throttle, which means to slow down and limit the data/internet usage, instead of being charged for more data usage.

What does metered mean on wifi?

Metered connections are most common for mobile data usage, but that doesn’t mean that this is the only situation where metered networks can or do exist.

While less common, sometimes wifi can also be metered.

So, metered on wifi means limiting the amount of wifi usage that can be used by a single device or router.

If your network has a data limit, for example if your internet provider only gives you access to X amount of GB per month, you can set your Wi-Fi as metered to make sure your devices don’t surpass the given amount.

Should metered connection be on or off?

Whether a connection should be metered really depends on the situation.

When it comes to mobile data plans with limited GBs, you’re providing wifi on a public network, or other times when you only have access to a certain amount of internet for a fixed price, then a metered connection should definitely be set.

If you have an unlimited data plan, or you have no problem surpassing the amount of internet you’ve paid for, then it doesn’t really matter whether the connection is set as metered or not. Assuming that it doesn’t limit your data connections than you want it to, of course.

So, the question of whether a metered connection should be on or off really depends on if you have a paid data limit, if you’re okay with surpassing that limit and paying extra if necessary, and several other factors.

There is no right or wrong answer here, because internet plans cost differently in different countries, and each person has varying internet-related needs.

Is a metered connection good?

It’s difficult to say whether a metered connection is a good or bad thing, because it is sometimes necessary, and other times it isn’t.

If you have a data plan that is quite limited or even if it is expensive to surpass the amount you have in your plan, using a metered connection to not go over that amount would definitely be a good thing.

Good examples of when you should really consider setting a metered connection—making it a good thing—include plans with data limits, mobile hotspots, satellite internet connections, and a variety of other scenarios.

For one thing, if you offer wifi to lots of people but want to reduce network congestion, offering a metered connection that would cut off customers or consumers after using X amount of internet in a given time may not be such a bad thing.

What is the difference between metered and unmetered Wi-Fi?

The difference between metered and metered wifi is the same as the difference between a metered and unmetered internet connection.

A metered wifi connection is when a wifi access point like a router puts a limit or cap on how much wifi or internet each device is able to use before being blocked.

An unmetered wifi connection is when a wifi access point like a router does not actually put a limit or cap on how much wifi or internet each device is able to use from it. You most likely have an unmetered wifi network at home, meaning you could stream as much Netflix or movies as you’d like without ever being cut off.

How to turn off metered connection

Below you will find the exact steps on how to turn off metered connection on Windows 10, if you want to limit the data on your device connected to your PC.

1. Go to Windows desktop and navigate to: Start and then
Settings icon

What is MDM and is metering connections part of it?

MDM stands for ‘Mobile Device Management’.

The term MDM typically refers to the management, monitoring, and securing of either corporate or personal mobile devices, which include things like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and Internet of Things devices that may be used to access sensitive corporate data.

Given that you can offer these corporate devices a metered connection, you could consider metered internet connections as part of MDM because it does have to do with the management and monitoring of mobile devices.

That being said, MDM is more commonly used in conjunction with the procurement, deployment, and management of all mobile devices within a specific organization or company.

Patch Management on Metered Connections

In the realm of IT management, patching systems is critical for security and functionality. However, doing so over a metered connection poses unique challenges. Metered connections, which limit data usage or charge by the amount of data used, require careful planning for patch management. Administrators must prioritize essential updates and schedule them during off-peak hours to minimize data consumption and costs. Utilizing tools that offer granular control over the update process is crucial. These tools can help IT teams selectively apply necessary patches, avoiding the unnecessary download of large files. Moreover, leveraging bandwidth-efficient technologies and compression techniques can further reduce data usage. In essence, effective patch management over metered connections isn’t just about security; it’s about balancing the need for system updates with mindful data usage, ensuring a secure yet cost-effective IT environment.

Atera’s Approach to metered connections

Atera takes data management to the next level by seamlessly integrating its Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) capabilities. With Atera, IT professionals can effectively monitor and manage networked devices, ensuring that data consumption on metered connections is optimized.

Atera’s RMM tools provide real-time insights into network performance, allowing users to identify and resolve potential data overages or issues promptly. This proactive approach not only helps in controlling data costs but also ensures that businesses can maintain uninterrupted connectivity, even on metered connections, thus boosting efficiency and productivity.