Comcast Cutting Off Heavy Internet Users

[dgridley]

Well, this certainly bites for those of use who use the internet to listen to audio or watch videos.. glad I don't use Comcast!

Comcast has warned broadband Internet customers across the country to curb their downloading or wind up on the curb.

The company has a bandwidth limitation that, if broken, can result in a 12-month suspension of service. The problem, according to customer complaints, is that the telecom giant refuses to reveal how much downloading is too much.

The company, which a few years ago advertised the service as “unlimited” has an “acceptable use policy” which enforces the invisible download limit.

http://consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/08/comcast_ban.html?imw=Y

 

[Kenny]

Sorry for taking this a bit Off Topic, but....

I remember "back in the day" when free DU was everywhere... then they started dropping like flies in a Raid test.

Why?

Because of people like me (and maybe you), who ran 24/7 and were part of the statistical 5% of internet users that (at the time) used 80% of the BW.

We don't just come home from work, check our email and then go watch TV.
We make up or download huge lists, check them for every conceivable property we can, and when we are done, we do it again and again and again, ad nauseam.

I don't know what those stats are today, but I would imagine there isn't that much difference between then and now.



Cy

 

[$1.00]

Sorry for taking this a bit Off Topic, but....

I remember "back in the day" when free DU was everywhere... then they started dropping like flies in a Raid test.

Why?

Because of people like me (and maybe you), who ran 24/7 and were part of the statistical 5% of internet users that (at the time) used 80% of the BW.

We don't just come home from work, check our email and then go watch TV.
We make up or download huge lists, check them for every conceivable property we can, and when we are done, we do it again and again and again, ad nauseam.



Cy

Ya I imagine many people have a constant up/down streams coming from their connections. Most likely from Computer addiction & things like P2P applications. and the odd one out of the bunch who runs a homeserver.

The thing with cable internet is that it is a shared line meaning if your neighbor next door starts doing some intensive internet activity, it could effect how your internet works. Thats why comcast says your connection is capable if reaching certain speeds but often doesnt depending upon how much your neighbors are using their internet as well.

Actually I think your right on this. For cable internet the entire street is connected to one Hub so if someone using it pretty heavily it will choke the hub making it miserable for everyone else.

 

[Camron]

I, unfortunately use comcast for home use. It is one of the worst ISP's I have ever used. I signed up with the 3 bundle package (phone, internet, and TV) for $99. 1 year into my contract they're charging me $170. I called them, and they said if I "upgraded" I would get all those for $130 (weird but true). So if I were to upgrade my TV to include HBO then my price would go down to $130 - sure sounds good. Next bill comes and their charing me $190. What is going on? I called them and they told me that the rep gave me "too good of a deal" hence why they are charging the normal price PLUS HBO.

Glad to see fios available in my area now. I may check into it more.

 

[Ronald Regging]

I, unfortunately use comcast for home use. It is one of the worst ISP's I have ever used. I signed up with the 3 bundle package (phone, internet, and TV) for $99. 1 year into my contract they're charging me $170. I called them, and they said if I "upgraded" I would get all those for $130 (weird but true). So if I were to upgrade my TV to include HBO then my price would go down to $130 - sure sounds good. Next bill comes and their charing me $190. What is going on? I called them and they told me that the rep gave me "too good of a deal" hence why they are charging the normal price PLUS HBO.

Glad to see fios available in my area now. I may check into it more.

I really have no complaints with Comcast. Occasionally there are some service problems, but that's pretty rare. I think I pay $42 for internet and $13 for cable (I get the sub-Basic package).