rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
rdelp
Member
2006-Feb-16 8:06 pm
[News] Comcast imposing invisible caps againGreeetings, Its been 2 years since I have seen this, but needless to say If you are a high downloader, you will be getting a call or letter soon. I got a call from some not so intelligent Comcast employee today. Regarding network abuse. Now I have the Pro Account $95/mo for 6MB/768K I believe the speeds are. Anyways, I dealt with this little issue about 2 years ago. I had gotten a call from the same $5.75/hr person. Saying the samething, too much usage, can't tell ya how much nor can I tell what is a reasonable limit. Now 2 years ago when I called my local office (best advice, i will be doing this Monday) Locals advised me that I needed the Pro Account, so I signed up for it and maintained my usage. My usage hasn't changed much, yet Today, I got the call. here is my page I was posting notes 2 years ago on, and now have updated with latest. » www.livewxradar.com/comcast.htmI looked for topics on this before posting, looks like I may be the first one to get nailed. Unbelievable! I know Comcast monitors or employees do. Would it be so hard to hire someone to make these calls, with half a brian and could advise me on what type of account I need if I wish to continue my currect usage? Rob D> |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 8:06 pm · (locked) |
SuperNetGo Ninja,Go Ninja Go.. Premium Member join:2002-10-08 Hoffman Estates, IL |
SuperNet
Premium Member
2006-Feb-16 8:16 pm
wow, comcast .. how sad... why do they do this? |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 8:16 pm · (locked) |
Lokro Premium Member join:2002-12-28 Loveland, CO |
to rdelp
You have a ballpark on how much you downloaded to trigger the call? |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 8:20 pm · (locked) |
rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
rdelp
Member
2006-Feb-16 8:31 pm
My aveage monthly has been 300GB - 600GB a month on average over the past 3 years. I can understand why that would be a problem on the standard accounts, have no problem paying extra either, I just was ticked the way the handled it 2 years ago. Now they are doing the samething.
I do monitor these boards off and on and had seen many report that standard accounts were running up to 500GB with no problems. So I was not worried being on the Pro.
Last month I went over the 600GB, but I know I had a couple of times earlier last year. Nothing was said, so I am ASSUMING this is starting this year.
I just noticed one of the other topics about 16Mb download speeds. If my memory is correct, 2 years ago they were doubling speeds.
Rob D. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 8:31 pm · (locked) |
dadkinsCan you do Blu? MVM join:2003-09-26 Hercules, CA |
Just for curiosity's sake, WTF are you downloading that much for anyways? What exactly ARE you downloading? That's ~694MB per hour @ 500GB per month. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 8:57 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
I usually DL average of 60-100 GB every week, haven't gotten any call. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 9:12 pm · (locked) |
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rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
to dadkins
Most of it is work related, plus the kids each have a computer, streaming Tv/radio, cinemanow.com downloads those are only a gig each, not that bad.
Rob |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 9:37 pm · (locked) |
1 recommendation |
to rdelp
Well outside of the obviousness of this link ( » www.comcast.net/terms/index.jsp ) the reason you most likely got those notices is you would have had to have so much going on for your downloading that you started to negatively impact performance for the area you are in. When that happens they'll notify you to calm it down a bit. As for complaining about it. Its kinda mute. The AUP you agree to by having service pretty much puts you at the will of the abuse department. I also assure you those folks make much more than 5.75/hour. If the bulk of it is work related information, I'd talk to them about it to find out what type of account you will need so that you can do your work and not be bugged about bandwidth issues. Overall I think it bites and wish they would give a ball park figure on what is considered bandwidth abuse. That said, yeah Reston, Va is getting the first speed boost this month. Other areas though are in the dark on if they will get the same speed increases though. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:18 pm · (locked) |
EnasYorlThieves World join:2001-12-02 West ·Ziply Fiber Motorola MB8600 Netgear RAX15 Asus RT-AC66
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to rdelp
I would hazard to guess your pushing your CMTS port into the red. Remember it's a 40Mbps pipe and if your using a constant 8Mbps your using 20% of the bandwidth to your node. TOS Viii. restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or otherwise disrupt or cause a performance degradation, regardless of intent, purpose or knowledge, to the Service or any Comcast (or Comcast supplier) host, server, backbone network, node or service, or otherwise cause a performance degradation to any Comcast (or Comcast supplier) facilities used to deliver the Service » www.comcast.net/terms/use.jspFurther down Network, Bandwidth, Data Storage and Other LimitationsComcast may provide versions of the Service with different speeds and bandwidth usage limitations, among other characteristics, subject to applicable Service plans. You shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or degrade any other user's use of the Service, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast) an overly large burden on the network. In addition, you shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, disrupt, degrade, or impede Comcast's ability to deliver and provide the Service and monitor the Service, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services. You further agree to comply with all Comcast network, bandwidth, and data storage and usage limitations. You shall ensure that your bandwidth consumption using the Service does not exceed the limitations that are now in effect or may be established in the future. If your use of the Service results in the consumption of bandwidth in excess of the applicable limitations, that is a violation of this Policy. In such cases, Comcast may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your Service account or request that you subscribe to a version of the Service with higher bandwidth usage limitations if you wish to continue to use the Service at higher bandwidth consumption levels.You may have to ask what the limits are on a Commercial Grade account. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:25 pm · (locked) |
mdmaddox Premium Member join:2002-12-29 Federal Way, WA 2 edits |
to MrChupacabra
MrChupacabra In his post he did say he ask and upgrade to the pro account as per comcast request 2 years ago to support his habit. His usage has been about the same over the last 2 years. Sounds like Comcast doesn't want to honer their end and support their growth in his area. It's cheaper to cut him off then to upgrade. Since Comcast is stressing their bandwidth with Voice, On demand and their own Video maybe they can tell his neighbors not to do VOD stop making phone calls so much!
In what I have read Broadband Is 4th in the pecking order |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:34 pm · (locked) |
2 recommendations |
to rdelp
said by rdelp:Greeetings, Its been 2 years since I have seen this, but needless to say If you are a high downloader, you will be getting a call or letter soon. I got a call from some not so intelligent Comcast employee today. Regarding network abuse. Now I have the Pro Account $95/mo for 6MB/768K I believe the speeds are. Anyways, I dealt with this little issue about 2 years ago. I had gotten a call from the same $5.75/hr person. Saying the samething, too much usage, can't tell ya how much nor can I tell what is a reasonable limit. Now 2 years ago when I called my local office (best advice, i will be doing this Monday) Locals advised me that I needed the Pro Account, so I signed up for it and maintained my usage. My usage hasn't changed much, yet Today, I got the call. here is my page I was posting notes 2 years ago on, and now have updated with latest. » www.livewxradar.com/comcast.htmI looked for topics on this before posting, looks like I may be the first one to get nailed. Unbelievable! I know Comcast monitors or employees do. Would it be so hard to hire someone to make these calls, with half a brian and could advise me on what type of account I need if I wish to continue my currect usage? Rob D> 1. I call BS 2. If you have the Pro Account, you need to call sales/service. Pro account is being phased out. Pro account is not offered anymore,you can get the same speeds for 42.95 if you have TV also. Plus if you need the 4 IP's that's only 6.95 x 4 = 27.80 + 42.95 = 70.75, cheaper. 3. I have downloaded many things from Usenet (therefore get my full speed) constantly everyday for the months on end, and haven't gotten a "letter". 4. Comcast takes care of their employees from what my buddy tells me. They keep 95% of their call centers in the US. They make much more than 5.75. What do you make? 5. "I know Comcast monitors or employees do. Would it be so hard to hire someone to make these calls, with half a brian and could advise me on what type of account I need if I wish to continue my currect usage?" 5a. What do you mean? You ask if someone with half a BRIAN (I think you meant brain) can call you. I think they have. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:36 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
said by rdelp:Greeetings, Its been 2 years since I have seen this, but needless to say If you are a high downloader, you will be getting a call or letter soon. I got a call from some not so intelligent Comcast employee today. Regarding network abuse. Now I have the Pro Account $95/mo for 6MB/768K I believe the speeds are. Anyways, I dealt with this little issue about 2 years ago. I had gotten a call from the same $5.75/hr person. Saying the samething, too much usage, can't tell ya how much nor can I tell what is a reasonable limit. Now 2 years ago when I called my local office (best advice, i will be doing this Monday) Locals advised me that I needed the Pro Account, so I signed up for it and maintained my usage. My usage hasn't changed much, yet Today, I got the call. here is my page I was posting notes 2 years ago on, and now have updated with latest. » www.livewxradar.com/comcast.htmI looked for topics on this before posting, looks like I may be the first one to get nailed. Unbelievable! I know Comcast monitors or employees do. Would it be so hard to hire someone to make these calls, with half a brian and could advise me on what type of account I need if I wish to continue my currect usage? Rob D> The pro account and the regular account are the same when it comes to downloading. To much is to much.:( |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:37 pm · (locked) |
rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
to EnasYorl
Thats why they moved me to the PRO account.
As luck would have it, I still cannot get DSL in my area, strange I am in the downtown area, should be able to get it. I don't believe there are restrictions on the DSL, but haven't did much research since I am still out in the cold.
Rob D. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:37 pm · (locked) |
rdelp |
to oldTDNickell5
The pro account and the regular account are the same when it comes to downloading. To much is to much.:( Did they just change that? When I moved to PRO from standard, I changed nothing and did not hear from abuse til today. Outside of static IP addy, kinda pointless to pay extra, and I think the standard is 8Mpbs.
Rob |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:41 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
The AUP is the same for both. Having a pro account does not allow you to download anymore then a regular account. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:41 pm · (locked) |
mdmaddox Premium Member join:2002-12-29 Federal Way, WA 1 edit |
mdmaddox
Premium Member
2006-Feb-16 10:45 pm
TD IAW the AUP isn't the only thing we are real guaranteed is to pay Comcast monthly for a service that may or may not be there.
Sorry I just get tried of the lawyer speak as to why Comcast doesn't haven't to do anything and I know the rest of the ISP are the same but I am a comcast user and this is a Comcast forum. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:45 pm · (locked) |
CableToolPoorly Representing MYSELF. Premium Member join:2004-11-12
2 recommendations |
to rdelp
I think the best way to get your point across intelligently is to belittle the person that called you and make assumptions about his income and itelligence. This is obviously making you feel better about the situation.. Of course its in no way related to the issue but Im sure there is some reason why people love to tear other people down.
As far as the "letter" ( or phone call in this case)and caps, just go on with your life. If your habits havent changed in 2 years and you got a call out of the blue it just seems more random then anything. A little monitoring for the sake of some report and you are a part of paper/busy work history.
I also have no idea what the caps are but I admit Ive never looked into it but just from this board alone Ive seen people contacted who reach 5-600 gigs a month. And apparently thats where you are at. One call in 2 years? Not bad- |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:48 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
Who every told you that the pro account allowed you to download more each month was wrong. You haven't had a problem before because no one on your node complained. All you have to do is slow down and you will be alright. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 10:53 pm · (locked) |
EnasYorlThieves World join:2001-12-02 West ·Ziply Fiber Motorola MB8600 Netgear RAX15 Asus RT-AC66
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to rdelp
From Verizon's TOS » www.verizon.net/policies ··· licy=tos 3.6.5 You may not use the Broadband Service to host any type of server personal or commercial in nature.3.7 Verizon reserves the right to audit connections electronically to enforce these or any other provision of the Agreement. 3.8 Verizon also reserves the right in our sole discretion, with or without notice to you, to modify or restrict the bandwidth available to download content from our Usenet Newsgroup services.14.4 Verizon Network. For the purposes of backup and maintenance, we may use, copy, display, store, transmit, translate, rearrange, reformat, view and distribute your information to multiple Verizon servers. We do not guarantee that these procedures will prevent the loss of, alteration of, or the improper access to, your information.
14.5 Monitor of Network Performance. Verizon automatically measures and monitors network performance and the performance of your Internet connection and our network as part of this process. We also will access and record information about your computer's profile and settings and the installation of software we provide in order to provide customized technical support and you agree to permit us to access and record such data for the purposes described in this Agreement. We do not share information collected for the purpose of network or computer performance monitoring or for providing customized technical support outside of Verizon or its authorized vendors, contractors and agents. You hereby consent to Verizon's monitoring of your Internet connection and network performance, and the access to and adjustment of your computer settings, as they relate to the Service, Software, or other services which we may offer from time to time. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:00 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
This is a post on this issue from Aug.2003. » Re: anyone got a letter on a pro account? |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:08 pm · (locked) |
CableToolPoorly Representing MYSELF. Premium Member join:2004-11-12 |
to mdmaddox
said by mdmaddox: It's cheaper to cut him off then to upgrade. Since Comcast is stressing their bandwidth with Voice, On demand and their own Video ma Nothing is "stressed" Great speculation though. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:09 pm · (locked) |
EnasYorlThieves World join:2001-12-02 West ·Ziply Fiber Motorola MB8600 Netgear RAX15 Asus RT-AC66
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to mdmaddox
said by mdmaddox:MrChupacabra His usage has been about the same over the last 2 years. Sounds like Comcast doesn't want to honer their end and support their growth in his area. If you read my post as long as his habits didn't affect others I'm sure they let it slide, but when it does. Then they let you know. I would rather have a policy that allows me to burst then for them to implement some form of "bit bucket" That really chokes your rate if you download too much. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:16 pm · (locked) |
rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
to CableTool
said by CableTool:I think the best way to get your point across intelligently is to belittle the person that called you and make assumptions about his income and itelligence. This is obviously making you feel better about the situation.. Of course its in no way related to the issue but Im sure there is some reason why people love to tear other people down. This person was had issues. I just see no reason for a company the size of comcast have a non-professional person making these calls. From a business prospective, they could have someone call and simply say. Your interent usage for Jan 2006 was XGB, this is not acceptable for the account you have. If you need or are going to continue to use this much bandwidth, you will need to go to account XYZ and that will cost X per month. Or better yet, tell me the bandwidth restriction for my area. Instead that have someone (if I still have the voicemail from this guy, I will post it on a webpage, my point might be clearer) call me up, basically threatens me with terminating my service, does not give me any clue what is acceptable. no solutions. Thats what really got me upset. Rob D |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:21 pm · (locked) |
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to rdelp
If my memory serves me right,these phone calls go out just before every speed upgrade.:) |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:23 pm · (locked) |
rdelp join:2003-12-18 Chattanooga, TN |
rdelp
Member
2006-Feb-16 11:33 pm
said by oldTDNickell5:If my memory serves me right,these phone calls go out just before every speed upgrade.:) Thats exactly right. I looked it up. Last letter/call was just before the speed did increase. I could not have been because I affected others in my area, if the PRO and standard are the same (same node), my habits did not change after I went to pro, then I should have gotten another call or suspend the following month. They are just going after the top users 5% so they can insure their 16Mb rollout. IHMO. BTW. 16Mb? does it really need to go that fast? Rob D. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:33 pm · (locked) |
jbobReach Out and Touch Someone Premium Member join:2004-04-26 Little Rock, AR ·Comcast XFINITY Asus GT-AX6000 Asus RT-AC66U B1
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to EnasYorl
Part of the problem with their TOS/AUP is when it comes to bandwidth it still does not specify.
To the OP:
While I understand your predicament and partially agree, in the real world you are/would be considered a bandwidth hog. Not trying to call you evil or anything! lol
Let me put it in perspective. Comcast does not have unlimited bandwidth for everyone. Cable is a shared resource. One of the downsides to cable as opposed to DSL is that the bandwidth is shared among neighbors on a node. One of the biggest problems is with an overloaded node.
Look at it this way, let's say your node had 150 users. Now let's say that your node just happens to be shared with an apartment full of college students who mostly have cable like you. Let's say you are going about your business and using bandwidth as you normally do. Now let's suppose many of those college students are also using buttloads of bandwidth, downloading music and videos. At some point your node is going to get overloaded and everyone's bandwidth is going to suffer. Now none of the people paying for 6 or 8 meg service are going to be getting what they are paying for. Soon everyone is going to be complaining.
So what is your ISP supposed to do? Split the node? Do you know how much that costs? Sure your ISP could add more nodes but they are in a business to make money and adding more nodes so some people can use every little bit of bandwidth 20 hours of the day simply is not in their best interest.
I'm not even sure a business account would help you here. You could always purchase your own T-1 line but then you'd be limited to just 1.5 megs for a whole lot more money.
Maybe some day more ISPs will have fiber all the way to the home but until that happens we're all going to be limited and have to think of our neighbors as well.
I think Comcast does not specify a bandwidth limit because they do not wish to set limits unecessarily or arbitrarily. I occasionally download quite a bit but it's typically for a new *nix distro. I don't think I've ever gone over say 30 to 40 gigs in a month and I, as well as my son, download a LOT. I do have to say that downloading 500 GB a month is quite extreme. Perhaps you need to look at some Hosting sites to see how much bandwidth they offer per month for comparisons. You just need to know how this affect others and act appropriately. Be thankful that many others on your node are not as you or you'd then be complaining that you weren't getting the bandwidth you are paying for.
Again don't take this as a chastisment but trying to inform you of the consequences of your actions. |
actions · 2006-Feb-16 11:35 pm · (locked) |
1 edit
1 recommendation |
to MrChupacabra
said by MrChupacabra:Well outside of the obviousness of this link ( » www.comcast.net/terms/index.jsp ) the reason you most likely got those notices is you would have had to have so much going on for your downloading that you started to negatively impact performance for the area you are in. When that happens they'll notify you to calm it down a bit. While it may be a case of that was then and this was now, Comcast was extremely cautious in the past not to cite that specific verbiage of the TOS in their previous bandwidth abuse notifications to customers. Why they didn't is somewhat speculative, however, it doesn't take too much intuitive logic to realize that effecting the performance of other customers is a multi-faceted set of circumstances involving: 1) load placed on the system by an individual user; 2) load placed on the system by other users; and 3) capacity of the system. While it may be easy to single out a single user, capacity of the specific system segment is something wholly within Comcast's control, as is monitoring of the local segment and managing the segment with respect to load. There is no denying that effecting the performance of other users is a clear provision of the TOS. My point is that Comcast has historically been reluctant to cite this section during abuse enforcement, largely because it infers a negative reflection on their ability to manage the effected network segment. |
actions · 2006-Feb-17 12:08 am · (locked) |
1 recommendation |
to rdelp
@ 500GB/mo that's 6TB worth of data a year. Man. what are you downloading? And more importantly, who's selling you all that storage? Can I bid as your vendor? |
actions · 2006-Feb-17 12:10 am · (locked) |
mdmaddox Premium Member join:2002-12-29 Federal Way, WA |
to rdelp
I do love the feed back on this forum!:D |
actions · 2006-Feb-17 12:20 am · (locked) |
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to oldTDNickell5
said by oldTDNickell5:Who every told you that the pro account allowed you to download more each month was wrong. You haven't had a problem before because no one on your node complained. All you have to do is slow down and you will be alright. So you say I pay more for faster speeds because I plan to do the same load? So you go to Burger King or whatever and order a KING sized meal and a double whopper only to take out one of the meats and fill your soda 1/4 of the way and eat half the fries to pay more? Paying more for the same amount makes absolutely perfect sense to you? |
actions · 2006-Feb-17 12:45 am · (locked) |