Girl Geekette

And yet, another email from Comcast outlining the next move in the Bandwidth Wars. This time, their outlining of the new Network Congestion Management Technique and who will be affected:

Network Management Comcast Email

7:52PM 10/6/08

Dear Comcast High-Speed Internet Customer: 

Comcast is committed to providing you with the best online experience possible. 

One of the ways we do that is by managing the leading fiber optic network in the nation to ensure it is fast, safe and reliable. As part of our ongoing efforts to continuously improve the quality of our service, we are switching to a new network congestion management technique by the end of the year. It is focused on managing network congestion only when and where it may occur. It will also replace the current technique and will help ensure that all of our customers receive their fair share of network resources. 

On Gigaom.com, Om Malik enlightens us with more information on the Bandwidth capping that Comcast Cable will begin enforcing today - October 1st, 2008. This AUP from Comcast will limit each connection to only 250GB per month. Now that might seem a lot for one individual user. Maybe even for the average family. But, that is only nearsightedness on Comcast’s part. 7 years ago in 2001, even 250 MB a month was almost unheard of to the average user. Though, websites have changed, broadband has changed, technology has changed. What is considered “high” today will be normal in another 7 years - or maybe even as soon as 4.

With this move, the cable company will become the symbol of a new Internet era, one that is both monitored and metered. It is an era that threatens to limit innovation and to a large extent, the possibilities for new startups. ~Om Malik

I work for a phone company. I work with DSL everyday. I have worked with networking computers for over 10 years doing repairs, installs and the like - from the phone companies wiring center to the network iitself. Unfortunately this time around, I do not live in the area of where I work. Sucks to be me!

At first, I thought getting Comcast triple play would be a great deal! (Alex, I will take the Wrong Answer for $200 and counting please!)

• I would not be paying the competition for DSL.
• The prices seemed about right.
• I could get it all on one bill for around $100.

or so I thought.

As a local Comcast user (who is about to switch to AT&T DSL for this and various other reasons to be discussed later) I recieved the following email regarding Bandwith Caps soon going into effect:

Dear Comcast High-Speed Internet Customer, 

We appreciate your business and strive to provide you with the best online experience possible. One of the ways we do this is through our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). The AUP outlines acceptable use of our service as well as steps we take to protect our customers from things that can negatively impact their experience online. This policy has been in place for many years and we update it periodically to keep it current with our customers’ use of our service.

On October 1, 2008, we will post an updated AUP that will go into effect at that time.