Redefining 'Unlimited' 'Please don't cross this invisible line' Friday Aug 15 2003 13:37 EDT In the broadband universe, the term "unlimited" usually means the exact opposite, as heavy Comcast downloaders are the latest to discover. This letter has apparently been making the rounds among some of Comcast's more bandwidth hungry customers. It warns them that they're violating the company's acceptable use policy, but fails to give them a hard number as to how much bandwidth usage is too much, or how they can become compliant. Like with so many other providers, Comcast marketing material uses the mysteriously flexible term "unlimited" as a selling point. The ensuing discussion in our Comcast forum is worth a read. While the company's AUP does indicate users may not exceed "a maximum of one gigabyte (1GB) of newsgroup content in any one month", it doesn't specify the parameters of what they consider to be reasonable usage. It does however note that the company "does not routinely monitor the activity of Service accounts for violation of this AUP". Clearly only users gobbling down an obscene amount of bandwidth are being notified, but setting clear limits is a necessity (ditching the term "unlimited" from sales material wouldn't be a bad idea either). |
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Unlimited Internet not Unlimited bandwidth wasting"This letter has apparently been making the rounds among some of Comcast's more bandwidth hungry customers."
That's very misleading. It's only made it to one known person who admits may have downloaded more then half a terabyte in a single month. Also, the article doesn't state how much he said he may have downloaded nore does it state how he achieved such an enormous amount. The article sounds like a weekly BBR one sided (towards the file sharers) RIAA/Filesharing article.
"It warns them that they're violating the company's acceptable use policy, but fails to give them a hard number as to how much bandwidth usage is too much, or how they can become compliant."
This guy now knows streaming 6,7 or 8 high bandwidth radio streams at once 24/7 isn't acceptable. And he can correct it by not doing it. Doesn't take a rocket scientist.
"It does however note that the company "does not routinely monitor the activity of Service accounts for violation of this AUP"."
They monitor everyones bandwidth like all other broadband ISP's but they don't check if you're running a server and other such AUP violations. For all they knew this guy was using a wi-fi and sharing with a bunch of neighbors, which seems more realistic since you can't possibly listen to 8 radio stations at once 24/7.
"Clearly only users gobbling down an awesome amount of bandwidth are being notified"
This is just one person remember. There have been others who have said they downloaded 100-150 gigs with no notification.
"but setting clear limits is a necessity"
Why name a limit that no one will ever reach except for an idiot who feels the need to stream 5 radio stations on one computer and even more streams on another computer 24 hours a day 31 days in a month? It's like giving a 300 MPH speed limit on highways, no one will ever hit the limit except the most determined.
"(ditching the term "unlimited" from sales material wouldn't be a bad idea either)."
It says always on, unlimited internet. Not Always on, Unlimited bandwidth wasting.
[text was edited by author 2003-08-15 13:29:17] | actions · 2003-Aug-15 1:23 pm · (locked) |
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