As we had heard, though, FreedomPop is hoping to recoup the costs of that free data by selling premium services, with three to start and more coming later.

ENGADGET: FreedomPop's pay-as-you-go data service launches in beta, offering 500MB of free WiMAX per month

For the first time ever, consumers will have access to 100 percent free mobile data, text and calling services, enabling them to save thousands of dollars every year.

ENGADGET: FreedomPop pals up with TextPlus to offer free SMS Mobile

Still, it's an eye-opening glimpse into the life of our personal data and the price you pay for free services.

ENGADGET: Google updates Transparency Report, pledges compliance to the US of A

White space technology will be one way of meeting the growing demand for data in the UK. Ofcom is separately planning to free up more spectrum in the future for the next generation of high-speed data services, already dubbed '5G'.

ENGADGET: UK regulator wants white space wireless service in 2014, starts trials this fall