Smartphones have become increasingly popular. While this is a great way to stay connected and be productive, it also means that data usage on these phones is on the rise. For those with data plans, it can be easy to review the monthly data allotment and end up with hefty overage charges. Fortunately, several ways exist to reduce data plan usage and avoid overage charges. Here are 11 effective ways to do this: 1. Understand the data plan Understanding the data plan is crucial to avoiding overage charges. Take the time to review the plan details, including the amount of data allotted each month and any additional fees for exceeding that limit. Whether one has a plan with AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, or US Cellular, familiarize oneself with the specifics to make informed decisions about data usage. 2. Set data usage limits One should set data usage limits on the device to better control their Internet phone plans. One can prevent exceeding their monthly data allowance by setting limits and avoiding hefty overage charges. Take advantage of this feature available on most cell phones. 3. Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible The best way to save on data usage is to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible.