Don't ask, we won't tell (anyway): Comcast users squeal as AUP letters go out

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 08:07:22 -0800
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>

[Note:  This item comes from reader Steve Schear.  As I rule, I don't post 
graphics to the list.  Steve's item included the graphic for a traffic sign 
which states "SPEED LIMIT/We Won't Tell You".  Under the sign in text, 
"It's no different than a cop pulling you over and telling you that you 
were going fast when there were no speed limit signs posted.  DLH]

At 15:45 -0800 12/22/03, Steve Schear wrote:
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 15:45:26 -0800
To: dewayne () warpspeed com
From: Steve Schear <s.schear () comcast net>
Subject: Don't ask, we won't tell (anyway): Comcast users squeal as AUP
  letters go out.

A recent spate of recent Acceptable Use Violations (AUPs) has got lots of 
Comcast broadband cable users hopping mad or fearful. Although such warning 
letters have gone out before it appears that there has been a recent marked 
increase in such notices.  Rumors abound as to why this increase is occurring.

The majority of users getting these notices seem to be either engaging in 
heavy P2P or Usenet activities.  The letters say that the subscriber's 
aggregate bandwidth usage exceed 100 times the national median.  However, 
there is no on-line information defining this national median.  I called 
the number given on the AUP forms and after speaking with a service 
representative determined that Comcast has no intention of divulging this 
number.  Their service representative was most congenial, apologetic even.

Many of the users reporting the letters say their bandwidth appetites 
haven't changed much in many months or over a year, so why the spike in 
notifications? For example, 
<http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,8737754~root=comcast~mode=flat> 
and 
<http://www.altbinariesdvdr.net/forum/showthread.php@3fthreadid@3d4648@26goto@3dnewpost>

As to the reasons surmised by these customers for the increase, the two 
leading candidates are: targeting of high-usage customers with poor DSL 
alternatives, appeasing the RIAA/MPAA, conversion of subscribers to 
commercial accounts at higher rates, and Comcast's 3 Mbps system wide 
upgrade.  I think its mainly the latter two.
Cable Internet providers have been touting the speed advantages of cable 
over DSL.  While this may be true, providing this bandwidth isn't any 
cheaper for cable providers than for DSL.  The bandwidth pool on these 
services is a sort of "private commons."  All users may draw from it at a 
flat rate cost. This can lead some subscribers, who have been (unfairly, I 
think) characterized as "bandwidth hogs", to take these cable companies up 
on their offer, much as a team of football players might take a buffet 
dining establishment up on their fixed price meal offer.
One poster said he was told that 1% of Comcast's customers use 28% of their 
resources.  As cable providers increase the available upload and download 
bandwidth to subscribers they need to make sure that the minority that 
really make use this bandwidth don't cause congestion problems and cost 
them too much to service.  I think these letters are: a preemptive strike 
to knockdown or knock off the heaviest bandwidth users on their networks 
ahead of the speed increases. Its also an attempt at drawing a line in the 
sand (and an all but invisible one at that) for current and new subscribers 
thinking about jumping aboard the bandwidth bonanza.  Its a bit of false 
advertising on the part of the cable industry.

It not all stick, however, Comcast offers high bandwidth users a carrot, 
convert to a commercial Internet account with no bandwidth caps.  While the 
1.5 down /0.25 Mb up consumer account is pegged at about $40/month the 
business version cost $100, a good deal but undoubtedly beyond the budget 
of most consumers.

steve

Archives at: <http://Wireless.Com/Dewayne-Net>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>

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