ISPs May Institute Usage Fees To Counteract Streaming Video Surge

Brink · 30 Nov 2011

If you’ve cut the cable and switched to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu to fill your Sons of Anarchy viewing needs, you might be in for a nasty shock before long: higher prices. No, Netflix isn’t raising its rates again. It’s your Internet connection itself that your wallet should be worried about! Reports say that major U.S. ISPs, including Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox and AT&T, are experimenting with usage-based Internet fees – not just to quell streaming users’ massive broadband needs, but also to make Netflix less attractive (and traditional cable more attractive) to TV watchers. Most of the largest ISPs sell digital TV services as well, remember?

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Maximum PC | ISPs May Institute Usage Fees To Counteract Streaming Video Surge

seekermeister · 01 Dec 2011

I'm one that exactly fits into the category of users described in that article, but if they start hitting me with additional fees, instead of getting a new (return) cable TV subscriber, they will lose a customer altogether. I suppose that a lot of others might take their bait, but I'm already paying as much as I can afford as it is now. Even if cost weren't an issue, I dropped cable for an additional reason...I didn't find much that I wanted to watch using their basic cable package. That would mean that not only would cable TV service would be required, but also some premium channels as well.

Besides a few posts to forums, such as this, or making some online purchases, the only purpose for having an internet connection at all is watching videos from Hulu, etc. If Cox can't control their greedy little hands, instead of lining their pockets, they will completely lose me as a customer. I don't know how many would feel as I do, but I would bet there is enough that their loss would balance out their gains.

Brink · 01 Dec 2011

First they offer unlimited downloads to bait you in, then they limit how much you can download per month. Now they want to limit what you download. You should be able to download/upload what you want and as much as you want as long as you stay within your monthly allotment of data usage. What's next, are we to have to ask permission before being allowed to download anything.

I'm with you. If they are going to start to nickel and dime us even more, then I'll find a new ISP that doesn't or find alternatives.

People need to let these companies know how they feel by droping their service with these greedy corporations.

Rant over.

seekermeister · 01 Dec 2011

I'm considering going back to a dial up connection, which would permit me to continue online purchasing, posting, updating, etc., since I would have no other alternative. The only reason that I went to a cable connection was for accessing videos. Fortunately, I have recorded enough of them to keep me occupied for quite a while.

I never wanted to use Cox in the first place, since I had a bad experience with them, even before becoming a customer. If they do this, I will simply go back using my old USR modem, and keep my money.

jimbo45 · 01 Dec 2011

Hi all
What's the point of offerring faster and faster services which are really only useful for Video streaming at high quality - especially HD -- if usage charges start to kick in.

The whole point of a lot of the video streaming is for example "Catch up TV" , You Tube videos, home movies to send to other people etc etc.

Of course Video - especially HD quality --even at 720p never mind full 1080p requires a LOT of bandwidth - Services like SKY GO Sky Go - Watch TV on Mobile and Online - Free for Sky Customers

-just eat bandwidth for breakfast -- but everybody knows this and I can't believe the CEO's didn't understand basic physics.

At least SKY doesn't cap bandwidth -- especially as it provides a HUGE amount of "streamable" video itself.

Once companies start doing this I suppose we are back to old fashioned DVD's and "other means" for obtaining multi-media.

Mind you this type of action could have a beneficial side effect -- people would start to enjoy reading books again and might also go out and socialize and talk to EACH OTHER instead of spending almost the whole day on facebook etc. !!!!!

There's no way that I would revert back to a purely based Cable TV service -- I don't care if cable TV comes with the Broadband - but I'm not going to pay any "Usage fees" over and above what's in my contract now -- i.e UNLIMITED.

End of

So Greedy CEO's this is finally a STEP TOO FAR and YOU will be joining "The Dole queues" (Un-employment lines).

Cheers
jimbo

arkhi · 01 Dec 2011

Brink said:

First they offer unlimited downloads to bait you in, then they limit how much you can download per month. Now they want to limit what you download. You should be able to download/upload what you want and as much as you want as long as you stay within your monthly allotment of data usage. What's next, are we to have to ask permission before being allowed to download anything.

I'm with you. If they are going to start to nickel and dime us even more, then I'll find a new ISP that doesn't or find alternatives.

People need to let these companies know how they feel by droping their service with these greedy corporations.

Rant over.

You know, I've always thought that DSL and Cable internet were pretty much unlimited because of a lot of factors. I was actually surprised when you said that they have limits now I did some research and was even more shocked when I learned that it is possible.

Do you know the bandwidth cap for ATT U-Verse, by any chance? Can't find it off the net

Brink · 01 Dec 2011

Hello Arkhi,

I found this article at the link below that states this about ATT U-verse data usage limits.

AT&T's U-Verse and DSL Data Caps: Good Deal, Bad Precedent | PCWorld

Starting May 2, AT&T will limit DSL customers to 150 GB per month, and U-Verse fiber optics subscribers to 250 GB per month, according to DSL Reports. Overages, which cost $10 for each 50 GB, will only apply to customers who exceed their limits three times or more.......