This isn't to say that the carrier is throwing you under the bus if you're an internet-only customer, as it's increasing U-verse caps across the board. Users on the more common tiers will jump from 250GB to either 300GB (for the under-6Mbps crowd) or 600GB (12Mbps to 75Mbps), while those with 100Mbps and up will move from a 500GB cap to 1TB. Should that not be enough, you'll pay $10 for every 50GB you need over the limit; the provider will waive that overage fee the first two times.

AT&T notes that most people probably won't run into those ceilings -- just 4 percent of U-verse customers use more, it says. While that's true, the move isn't quite as generous as it seems. As with Comcast's data cap tests, this is more about softening the blow as more people ditch conventional TV, whether by discouraging internet-only service or making more money if you insist on making the leap.