Time Warner Cable to enforce data cap on Internet use
by Stevie Smith - Jun 3 2008, 12:27
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I can see this as a potential issue for computer technicians who rely on the fast speeds of cable Internet for system updates. One freshly installed copy of XP has a large amount of updates, and after a few computers, the data downloaded adds up. The quick finger to point goes in the direction of torrent users, but some who have legitimate downloads could go through that 40GB cap in a matter of days. How could this affect those who use VPN to connect to work from home?
I predict this idea will end up being a bad decision. There are enough ISP's out there that one company trying to squeeze a few more dollars out of hard working Americans will cause the company to lose customer base.
>> One freshly installed copy of XP has a large amount of updates, and after a few computers, the data downloaded adds up.
Although I appreciate your point, surely any competent PC technician has XP/Vista updates stored locally for easy application. I know I have both on my thumb drive.
If they want to cap internet usage, they really ought to lower the price for the service to reflect their savings in bandwidth, shouldn't they? If it's the same price for less service that's a pretty bum deal.
A company that is already gouging customers with their prices this just seems like a very bad business move. If this is the service that we will be recieving in Wisconsin then I will definitely look elsewhere for Internet access. This day and age there are plenty other providers to choose from and this would be just one more reason to not use Time Warner.
Five GB is just not enough for a basic service for $30/mo. Nor is 40GB enough for $55/mo. Not with all the graphic/video content and constant updates for security programs that we have to run because of criminals.
Anyway. It is an experiment only if there is an alternative for the test participants. Is there?
Far as that goes, RR's $1/MB/mo for FTP space for user web pages is way too much and completely out of line on any cost-based reasoning; maybe 10 years ago. Maybe the satellite TV ads complaining about cable companies' high-handed attitudes also applies to cable internet service too.
Cable companies limited to income generation:
As a former cable company employee who worked for a cable company that was bought by AT&T then acquired by Comcast Corp., Cable companies have limited options when they approach their broadband threshhold limits in regards to the structure of the system. Time Warner has decided to increase the prices of all internet users in its system through various means. They are not allowed to read your internet communications but they do. They do this to find out who uses any p2p software then limit transfer speed. They have allocated an ever increasing portion of their broadband to their own services. That is to say in order to provide HDTV, On Demand Services, Private and Corporate Teleconferencing, Telecommunications, and regular TV - The cable companies are in fact reducing the quality, quantity, and consistency of their internet products to the general public.
The cable companies - most of them - do not want to upgrade anytime soon. They must upgrade to some form of FiOS to compete and supplement or replace the current system but they won't for a long time.
The cable industry regards any broadband intensive individual, company, or concern of any kind as a threat and a competitor. They do not want p2p software, any service that provides video access (legal or illegal doesn't matter), file storage (video, music, data,- in general any type of backup services). What cable wants is for them to provide the service themselves and charge a fee for it.
I am sorry to give you the bad news but cable does not want to give you the same product you purchased for today or yesterday in the future. They're game plan is to reduce services without informing the government or public of their plans.
Sincerely - fturla
I wonder why we expect free unlimited broadband? Why not unlimited beer, or gasoline, for a fixed monthly price? I think it is hard for people to accept that the internet exists in its current form because it is supposed to facilitate commerce. Sooner or later, the freeloaders will be weeded out. The party is over.
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PatriciaJun 3rd, 2008 - 17:39:47
If my cable bill increases I will definitely change service providers.
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