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allowance

In a mobile phone plan, an allowance is the amount of call time, text messages, data, or other service use that is included in the plan price before extra charges apply.

In plain English

It is the built-in amount you can use as part of what you already pay for. It covers a measured amount of calls, texts, data, or another service. After that included amount is used, extra charges apply.

In context

Here, “allowance” labels the amount of service use included in the plan before extra charges apply.

Situation
Choosing mobile plans, allowances, roaming, fair-use, and add-ons
What it communicates
labels an included-usage amount in the plan table.

Meaning limits

The term alone does not say which service the included amount applies to or how much of it is included.

Examples

“Once she exceeded her text allowance, each extra message was added to the bill.”

Core meaning

“By Friday, he had nearly used up his data allowance.”

In context