5 GB
UK 4-network
£8.85a month per active SIM, ex VAT
Order 5 GBHow much data does a 4G CCTV camera use?
Why the answer ranges from a few hundred megabytes to far more than any plan, and how to set a camera up so it fits a monthly allowance.
A 4G camera can use almost nothing or an enormous amount, depending on one setting: whether it streams continuously or only sends clips when something happens. Choose that first, and the right plan follows.
Continuous streaming does not suit mobile data
Video is measured in megabits per second. A 1080p camera encoding at around 2 Mbps sends about 0.9 GB an hour. Streaming around the clock, that is over 600 GB a month, far beyond any sensible mobile plan and a waste of a cellular connection. Continuous recording belongs on a local recorder or SD card in the camera, not uploaded live.
Motion clips and snapshots are what fit
The usual design for a 4G camera records locally all the time and uploads only events:
- Motion clips. A short clip when the camera detects movement.
- Snapshots. A still image on an event, a fraction of the size of a clip.
- Live view on demand. Someone opens the app and watches for a few minutes.
A worked estimate for motion clips at about 2 Mbps:
- A 15-second clip is roughly 3.75 MB
- 20 events a day × 3.75 MB = about 75 MB a day
- × 30 days = about 2.25 GB a month
Add a few minutes of live viewing a day (about 15 MB a minute at 2 Mbps) and a busy site lands somewhere between 2 and 5 GB. A quiet site with snapshots only can fit in 1 GB.
Turning the numbers down
If a camera is using more than expected, the settings that matter most are:
| Setting | Effect on data |
|---|---|
| Upload mode | Events only, not continuous |
| Resolution and bitrate | Lower bitrate on the uploaded stream; keep full quality on the local recording |
| Motion sensitivity and zones | Stop trees, traffic and shadows triggering clips |
| Clip length | Ten seconds usually tells the story |
| Live viewing | The biggest variable you control; watch briefly |
Many cameras keep a high-quality recording on the card and send a smaller “sub-stream” for viewing and uploads. Use the sub-stream for anything that crosses the mobile network.
The plan
For a camera uploading motion clips with occasional live viewing, 5 GB on UK 4-network at £8.85 a month is the usual fit; a snapshot-only camera often fits 1 GB at £2.40. Watch the first fortnight in the portal and adjust. If the camera reaches its allowance, the SIM pauses rather than charging overage, and you can upgrade straight away.
Viewing the camera from your phone needs one more thing: a way to reach it, because mobile data does not accept incoming connections by default. See reaching a 4G camera remotely and the CCTV page.
Common questions
Can a 4G camera record continuously?
Yes, to its own SD card or a local recorder. Uploading continuous video over mobile data would use hundreds of gigabytes a month, so upload only events and view live on demand.
Why is my camera using more data than expected?
Usually motion triggers from trees, traffic or lighting changes, a high upload bitrate, or long live-view sessions. Tighten motion zones and use the camera's lower-quality sub-stream for uploads.
Which plan suits a 4G CCTV camera?
Most event-recording cameras fit 5 GB a month; snapshot-only cameras often fit 1 GB. Start there and check real usage in the portal.
Recommended plan
UK 4-network, 5 GB a month
Roams across all four UK networks and uses whichever is strongest where the device is.
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