CLF-C02 Billing, Pricing, and Support Practice Question
Which statement about AWS data transfer pricing is correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume all data transfer within AWS is free, but AWS charges for inter-AZ and inter-region traffic, and only inbound data from the internet is free.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged
AWS does not charge for data transfer into AWS from the internet, but it does charge for outbound data transfer from AWS to the internet. This pricing model is fundamental to AWS's cost structure, encouraging data ingestion while charging for egress. For example, data uploaded to Amazon S3 is free, but downloading that data to the internet incurs per-GB charges.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
All data transfer into and out of AWS is free
Why it's wrong here
The statement overstates AWS's data transfer pricing because the free inbound allowance applies only to traffic coming into AWS from the internet. Once data leaves AWS, egress charges apply for internet-bound traffic, and charges also apply to cross-AZ and cross-Region transfers. Thus, there is no scenario in which all data transfer is free.
- ✓
Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged
Why this is correct
AWS's pricing model is asymmetric: inbound data transfer from the internet is free, so uploading objects to S3 or sending data into EC2 typically incurs no data transfer fee. Outbound data transfer to the internet, however, is metered by volume and billed per GB, which is why egress-heavy workloads can dominate cost. The correct option captures this central distinction.
- ✗
Data transfer between EC2 instances in different Availability Zones is free
Why it's wrong here
Cross-AZ traffic is a billable network service, with a standard charge of roughly $0.01 per GB in each direction even when using private IP addresses. This charge exists because each Availability Zone has isolated network infrastructure, and traversing that boundary consumes interconnect capacity. Only within a single AZ via private IPs is transfer essentially free, so saying that transfer between different AZs is free is incorrect.
- ✗
Data transfer between AWS Regions is free because it stays within AWS infrastructure
Why it's wrong here
Inter-Region transfers are not free despite remaining entirely inside AWS's network. AWS bills inter-Region data transfer at rates such as $0.02 per GB, and this fee applies whether data crosses AWS's private backbone or traverses the public internet between Region endpoints. The fact that the traffic stays on AWS infrastructure neither makes it free nor removes the cost of moving data across regional boundaries.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.