Prepare to Say Goodbye to Unlimited Internet Data

[GURPS]

Comcast Users, Prepare to Say Goodbye to Unlimited Internet Data


Speaking on a call with investors Wednesday, Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen said, “I would predict that in five years Comcast at least would have a usage-based billing model rolled out across its footprint.”

Data caps are already the norm for Comcast users in Huntsville and Mobile, Alabama; Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia; central Kentucky; Maine; Jackson, Mississippi; Knoxville and Memphis, Tennesse; and Charleston, South Carolina.

In those locations, the typical user gets 300 gigabytes per month of data, after which they’re billed an additional $10 for every additional 50 gigabytes of data they use.

Comcast said relatively few customers would actually be affected, because 98 percent of national users never exceed the 300 gigabytes per month, the company told Ars Technica.

The caps probably wouldn’t bite into most people’s wallets, but heavy Internet users should get ready for a sting.

 

[migtig]

It ties to this:

Excerpt:
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted in favor of advancing a proposal that could dramatically reshape the way consumers experience the Internet, opening the possibility of Internet service providers charging Web sites for higher-quality delivery of their content to American consumers.

The plan, approved in a three-to-two vote along party lines, could unleash a new economy on the Web where an Internet service provider such as Verizon would charge a Web site such as Netflix for the guarantee of flawless video streaming.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-plan-to-allow-for-paid-priority-on-internet/

 

[blazinlow89]

The plan, approved in a three-to-two vote along party lines, could unleash a new economy on the Web where an Internet service provider such as Verizon would charge a Web site such as Netflix for the guarantee of flawless video streaming.

Hello higher premiums for online services.

 

[GURPS]

It ties to this:

Excerpt:

..... where an Internet service provider such as Verizon would charge a Web site such as Netflix for the guarantee of flawless video streaming.

I really don't get this .... if I PAY for a 35/35 Mbt Internet Connection the assumption should be, I will consume 35 Mbt 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year

not;
we are going to sell you 35 Mbts and hope / assume you will only use an average of 10% of the potential band width a week .... so we can resell the same bandwidth to other folks as well

or Comcraps Business Model: well we are going to sell you and your neighbors a 'shared 10Mbt connection' ... and limit your access if you start consuming too much band width

 

[czygvtwkr]

I really don't get this .... if I PAY for a 35/35 Mbt Internet Connection the assumption should be, I will consume 35 Mbt 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year

not;
we are going to sell you 35 Mbts and hope / assume you will only use an average of 10% of the potential band width a week .... so we can resell the same bandwidth to other folks as well

or Comcraps Business Model: well we are going to sell you and your neighbors a 'shared 10Mbt connection' ... and limit your access if you start consuming too much band width

That is exactly what you do with cellphones, people get excited over faster speeds when in reality all it will get them is sooner to hitting their data limits.