Comcast XFINITY → Re: [Rant] For those in GA hit by data caps: Be sure to file a complaint!

Yes... I feel lucky for not having to pay for Comcast's "failed" self-install fee when something was completely out of my control.

»forums.comcast.com/t5/Bi ··· /1232189

According to Comcast themselves, the fee is supposed to be waived if the problem was a Comcast issue (and them disconnecting their line into the house, something we do not have access to, definitely is).

You also mentioned that you don't break the business model because a few people might abuse it... isn't that exactly what Comcast is doing with the data caps?

Ok I see what happened (same general thing happened to me, with a trap left behind by first, to lazy to look installer) That's different then no cable to home.
Unfortunately the policy and charge is pretty variable between areas.

It's evolving due to the "data hogs" (they wanted change and set overage pricing...here it comes) the plant, current capacity, and upgrade schedule is based on the lower usage and a large portion of double, triple sevice customers
heavy usage (accelerated plant updates) cable cutters both break the cashflow balance.
So comcast adjusts.
SpaethCo is correct that the fee is partially punitive on purpose with the intent of having the extreme user curtail themselves to avoid the cost.
when used on toll roads it's call "Congestion Pricing" (toll changes by time of day, and actual real time usage.)
It has proven very effective on highways, both spreading the extra cost to those willing to pay and convincing some to opt out.

i've always thought there could be an interesting case for charging not by the total amount of bytes transferred in 30 days, but rather by the amount of bytes used during congestion times only. as in, have a flat fee, and if you want to send terabytes of data between 3-4AM, that's not a problem because practically no one else is using the service with you to any large degree. but peak time usage negatively affects everyone, so usage then should be metered. it would be more complicated to measure, but more representative of your impact on the service as a whole.

i'm sure the various mechanics of the situation wouldn't play out though.

Your opinion, my opinion:

It's evolving due to the proliferation of services providing video that compete directly with the cable tv side of the business...

Nice things about opinions is that none are wrong...

I was being somewhat facetious with data hogs, really meaning "what people are willing to pay for"
You are correct that as catv fades, the remaining, (and new) services will have to pay that part of the contribution towards the overall plant cost.