What is data usage on a cell phone contract?

Data usage is the amount of digital information that passes through a phone within a billing period. Data includes emails, images, videos, texts and files sent or received over the network.

Data usage includes active uploads and downloads as well as passive data, such as viewing a static Web page. Since many cell phone plans have a data usage limit, some offer data usage calculators.

Verizon's calculator prompts the user to select the device being used, then provides a list of types of data the user could have accessed. After inputting the appropriate amount, the calculator adds the data up. The page also includes general data usage for specific things, such as emails and audio streaming.