And The Bandwidth Capping Begins
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Just the other day I had someone asking me how to best select a new ISP. My response, of course, basically consisted of location, price, and limitation put upon the user by the ISP specifically. Of course for heavy Internet users, there are other important factors, but I think that what I just mentioned happens to cover the key areas for most people.
Today, there is a new consideration: capping usage for heavy users. For mom and pop type users, this might not be a big deal for people. But as someone who does a lot of stuff with video, streaming, massive bandwidth, multiple networked devices/computers, having to worry about “going over my limit” would send me to that ISP’s competition so fast it would make their head spin.
Yes, I am aware that most people will not likely hit the limits being placed by these cable companies. Even better, I couldn’t care less as I am on Verizon FiOS with 20 down/20 up and do not find myself in a position whereas bandwidth is a problem.
While I cannot speak for everyone, I, for one, would not be game for these kinds of limitations so long as I had an alternative in my living area… would you tolerate this?
3 Comments
Jeff Schwarz
April 3rd, 2009
at 5:12am
Matt, in my neighborhood, we do not have a choice, so choosing is a moot point. Comcast is my current ISP(8 mbps), with ATT DSL available, but we’re so far from a switch that the fastest dsl is 1.5 mbps. I spoke with a Verizon guy and was told that we may get FIOS in 30 years or so.
Mike
April 4th, 2009
at 1:05pm
Have not had a problem so far, but I don’t mess with music nor movies. I do constantly download updates for computers that I work on in our home business of repairing computers. The first time AT&T sends me an email warning me of usage, will be the first time I send them back one stating as far as I am concerned, they just broke my contract with them and I will let them know when I find another provider.
But seriously, I really don’t download or upload that much as even updating two to three computers a day wouldn’t even start to push their (ATT’s) buttons or bandwidth limits.
Rich Selmon
April 4th, 2009
at 4:35pm
Hi Matt,
I switched from Comcast (8 Mbps) to Qwest “fiber-optic” service this past October because of bandwidth caps. Chance are, that right now my family would never bust 150GBs per month, but I can’t say that a year from now we won’t be. With more and more things going online these days, bandwidth usage is going to go up, not down. I am lucky, as the DSLAM for my neighborhood is literally right around the corner, so I am cruising along at 12 MBs, for $15 per month less, than Comcast! I think that bandwidth limitations should be factor in everyones decision for ISPs.