I thought the following might be of interest to anyone considering cable internet.
Subject: US Comcast High-Speed Internet cable residential: not so "unlimited" From: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (RMonroe) Newsgroups: alt.internet.providers.america, alt.consumers, alt.consumers.experiences
After months of normal service, I received a letter from Comcast recently informing me of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) violation - Bandwidth Usage Limitations and threatening suspension/termination. When referred to the page
When I first investigated Comcast, I specifically said I would be using it in with Giganews to download from USENET newsgroups heavily. I asked the rep if there were any limits in bandwidth usage to the residential accounts. I was told NOT to operate a server and to NOT use it commercially. Other than that, I could be using it 24/7 to download as much as I wanted from the Internet or USENET, no problemo. Now that the introductory rate is about to expire at the end of the year, I suddenly receive this letter from their Abuse and Fraud department. After speaking to four representatives, I was told they really don't have any set level of usage but I was using it too much. How too much, I asked? Well, we can't tell you a figure of your usage nor what is too much usage but it was too much. So how much is "acceptable usage" then? We can't really say but use it less. Pay out your wazoo but use our service less. Sounds like a great deal!
Not much of a policy is it? Does a cop give you a ticket for speeding, then tell you that you were going too fast despite there being no speed limits? Does the phone company call you up to tell you that you used the telephone 25 hours a day instead of 24 so you overused it? No, but Comcast will invite you to the buffet, then tell you "you eat too much, you go now." Amazing considering that Comcast promotes GigaNews as your only source of USENET.
I said that was not what I had agreed to when service began but curious, I asked should I cut back 10%, 25%, 33 1/3%, 50%? How long and how many megabytes/gigabytes were "acceptible" to Comcast? Uh, we have no such number sir, but be assured you were above whatever it would be." Oh, we could sell you a "commercial" account, sir. I bet.
What BS. Had Comcast had a set number of hours/bandwidth usage, had the policy changed even, I would be disappointed but understand. However I see there is no policy, just an intimidation. Well, there are alternatives. Wonder if they sour like Comcast? Like DSL, like satellite.