Re: AT&T To Impose Caps, Overages

SomeJoe7777 · ‎01-30-2008

theroot wrote:
Will this cap apply to uverse business class? I wonder if this is something i could switch too for internet only.. The only other provider in my area that doesn't cap is TWC - and their service quality is well below acceptable.

Nowhere is there any official word on that, but the general consensus is no, they will not cap business accounts.

In addition, neither Comcast nor Time-Warner cap their business accounts, so to be competitive, it would be highly likely that AT&T wouldn't either.

theroot · ‎03-21-2011

Thanks!

Yeah, i hope they don't. the only thing about business class is you have to sign a one year term contract. So i don't want to sign up for them then get screwed over 6months in when they cap it ( i really hope they couldn't do that: modify the contract drastically and still hold people to their one year term ).

I miss my old verizon fios, half the price and twice as fast, and they aren't capping yet!

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

Has anyone received a postcard or other "official" notification?

The notices were supposedly going out, last week. Not sure the method. If you receive a postcard, email or a pop-up TV notice (U-Verse TV), please let us know. Who will be the first? Your prize? A 250 Gb cap that only applies (wink, wink, nod, nod) to 2% of users.

lizbethk · ‎08-22-2010

I too would like to have some sort of real-time meter that I can monitor. When I signed up for my U-Verse account I did tell them that I work from home. That means I get a LOT of email and files. We have two we have multiple gaming console which stream Netflix in addition to online gaming. We have iPhones, an iPad, iPod Touches, all which just recently did an OS upgrade that was .5GB PER DEVICE.

My question is why should I have the same cap as someone with a slower package? I have the fastest U-Verse package available to me, but I will be capped at the same rate as someone with the slowest package? All that means is I will hit the cap faster!

I tried looking at the U-verse business packages and all I could find was the old DSL speeds that I moved away from for the faster U-Verse speeds. I tried finding a U-verse package and just came up with a message that I would have to call the number it displayed.

I need bandwidth numbers to determine what I need to do. I've been one of the "loyal customers" that has bragged about all aspects of AT&T U-verse. Customer service and tech support has been a very good experience for me. I felt like they bent of backwards to make sure I had topnotch service.

I'm paying over $200 month for my U-verse service and now I'm considering having to extremely cut back on the package I have to be able to afford the "overages" we are guestimating we will have to face.

I feel like I have been kicked in the gut for my loyality

Arch-Stanton · ‎03-16-2011

I cast my vote. There is still service providers out there without caps. Sorry it has to go this way, I do like the service. The lady on the phone was very polite, and explained that the caps will probably affect DSL customers, not necessarily Uverse.

jmsherman8 · ‎03-18-2011

Arch-Stanton wrote:
I cast my vote. There is still service providers out there without caps. Sorry it has to go this way, I do like the service. The lady on the phone was very polite, and explained that the caps will probably affect DSL customers, not necessarily Uverse.

If they dont cap uverse then I am good. I love the service. It is just the cap that would be unacceptable.

theroot · ‎03-21-2011

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB409045#fbid=0Ygk3MbNw3e

i'm pretty sure they're capping.. plenty of techs have confirmed it as well.

it's sad really - that we have to pay because ATT couldnt maintain network growth fast enough. Unfortunately they probably wont grandfather people in like they did with the unlimited cell service (i luckily got in on that), but they probably should. yeah sure contract says you can modify it however you want, isnt that nice, an open ended contract that is absolutely limitless and thus meaningless. i've been a uverse member for almost 4 years btw, a proud advocate of their service and have gotten MANY people to switch to it. Now it seems i will have to do the opposite.

i hope that pseudo "2%" ends up being 20% of your high speed revenue, j3rks!

my only options now are time warner business class (residental class blows), and uverse business class (btw to the other poster - you have to call to verify and schedule service, they want to take business customers to a more personal level)

Oh and this month, i havent torrented or had any large downloads, and have used almost 300GB in 3 weeks... I hate to see what its like in a month where i do actually download. I bet my TV services probably are 2/3rds of that alone.

pc319 · ‎10-13-2010

I got 2 e-mail notices on Friday March 18th for both my uverse residential account and business dsl account. Looks like both are being capped. I know at home I won't go over the 250GB, but for them to cap at 150GB for work is ludacris. Looks like I may have to switch to cable internet.

Here's the e-mail I received for anyone else interested:

Dear AT&T Internet Service Customer:

We are updating the AT&T High Speed Internet Terms of Service. We are making these changes to provide greater clarity around the terms of your service and to help us deliver a consistent, high-quality service experience for all of our customers.

We’ve reinforced this notice with additional links providing answers to frequently asked questions. Of course, we are ready and available to answer any questions you may have and to discuss individual account needs or concerns.

Here's a summary of the updates:

•  Introduction Revision: We have added email as a separate service because
    we now offer customers without our high speed Internet service the ability to have
    an att.net email.

•  Changes to this Agreement: We have changed the acceptance provision so that
    you are now deemed to have accepted the changes to the agreement after the
    30 day notice has passed, rather than immediately after receipt.

•  AT&T High Speed Internet Service: We have moved the speed tiers to a link
    within the agreement, www.att.com/speedtiers for easy reference.

•  Service Availability: We have added language to clarify that service is not
    available in all areas, and may not be available at certain speeds (or at all) at
    some locations.

•  Service/Site Changes: We have added language stating that AT&T may need to
    modify or discontinue your service, either temporarily or permanently.

•  Conversion from DSL to U-verse High Speed Internet: We have added
    language to this agreement that will allow us to convert customers from our DSL
    network to the AT&T U-verse High Speed network, where available.

•  Usage: We've added a link at www.att.com/internet-usage where customers can
    go to get information about AT&T's data usage policy and managing their data
    usage.

•  Dial-up Access Options and Toll Charges: We have added language to clarify
    specific charges that may be incurred. Such charges are your responsibility to pay.

•  Collection Agency Fees: We have added language that you are responsible for
    paying collection agency fees AT&T incurs when recovering any money owed to us.

•  Email and Termination or Cancellation of Service: We have added language
    explaining that you will keep your email address if you choose to terminate service.

•  Abusive Treatment: We have added language that allows AT&T to terminate the
    service of customers who repeatedly harass or abuse our employees.

•  Equipment & Software: We have added language to address U-verse equipment
    that is not owned by the customer, and needs to be returned after termination of
    service.

•  Restrictions on Use & Network Management: We have added language
    to make clear that the AT&T Acceptable Use Policy is incorporated into the terms
    of service. Also, to protect our network from harm and to help us ensure a high
    quality Internet experience for all of our customers, we have added language
    about reasonable network management practices that AT&T may adopt. We will
    provide you with advance notice and details if we implement new network
    management practices that directly impact your service.

•  Content: We have added language about mobile data charges for forwarding
    content from the att.net web site to a mobile device.

We encourage you to review the revised terms and acceptable use policy. Please visit:

• www.att.com/tos2011
• www.corp.att.com/aup

Please note, that by continuing to use the Service, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth in the Terms of Service document.

Visit our online support site at www.att.com/tos2011-faq for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for being an AT&T Internet member. We are happy to have you as part of our online community and look forward to continuing to serve your Internet needs.

Sincerely,
Your AT&T Internet Service Customer Care Team

Computer-Joe · ‎09-19-2008

dhascall wrote:
Has anyone received a postcard or other "official" notification?

The notices were supposedly going out, last week. Not sure the method. If you receive a postcard, email or a pop-up TV notice (U-Verse TV), please let us know. Who will be the first? Your prize? A 250 Gb cap that only applies (wink, wink, nod, nod) to 2% of users.

Got this email for my main account and one each for all sub-accounts.

Important Updates to your AT&T Internet
Terms of Service

See below for Spanish
Refiérase abajo para español

Dear AT&T Internet Service Customer:

We are updating the AT&T High Speed Internet Terms of Service. We are making these changes to provide greater clarity around the terms of your service and to help us deliver a consistent, high-quality service experience for all of our customers.

We’ve reinforced this notice with additional links providing answers to frequently asked questions. Of course, we are ready and available to answer any questions you may have and to discuss individual account needs or concerns.

Here's a summary of the updates:

•

Introduction Revision:

att.net

•

Changes to this Agreement:

•

AT&T High Speed Internet Service:

www.att.com/speedtiers

•

Service Availability:

•

Service/Site Changes:

•

Conversion from DSL to U-verse High Speed Internet:

•

Usage:

www.att.com/internet-usage

•

Dial-up Access Options and Toll Charges:

•

Collection Agency Fees:

•

Email and Termination or Cancellation of Service:

•

Abusive Treatment:

•

Equipment & Software:

•

Restrictions on Use & Network Management:

AT&T Acceptable Use Policy

•

Content:

att.net

We encourage you to review the revised terms and acceptable use policy. Please visit:

•

www.att.com/tos2011

•

www.corp.att.com/aup

Please note, that by continuing to use the Service, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth in the Terms of Service document.

Visit our online support site at www.att.com/tos2011-faq for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for being an AT&T Internet member. We are happy to have you as part of our online community and look forward to continuing to serve your Internet needs.

Sincerely,
Your AT&T Internet Service Customer Care Team

It would seem to me that it's not 2% of the subs DLing a TB/month that would cause periodic congestion, it would be too many simultaneous high speed connections flooding the equipment on AT&T's network, which means they've over-subscribed their network capacity. All their PR claims of a new and improved AT&T network is all BBBSSS. Other wise why have a lower cap on DSL 6Mb than on UV 6Mb? Around here they won't put any money into upgrading their DSL capacity, but yet, they won't put money into converting the DSL to UV either. So here I sit, stuck at 6Mbs which, according to AT&T is not even suitable for video downloads or streaming, and getting whacked with a cap that is 100GB lower than UV. Come on AT&T, quick being a bunch of cheapskates. Quit livin' high on the hog on all though profits and spend some of our hard earned money you bleed from us on actual upgrades to your networks.

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

theroot wrote:
http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB409045#fbid=0Ygk3MbNw3e

i'm pretty sure they're capping.. plenty of techs have confirmed it as well.

it's sad really - that we have to pay because ATT couldnt maintain network growth fast enough. Unfortunately they probably wont grandfather people in like they did with the unlimited cell service (i luckily got in on that), but they probably should. yeah sure contract says you can modify it however you want, isnt that nice, an open ended contract that is absolutely limitless and thus meaningless. i've been a uverse member for almost 4 years btw, a proud advocate of their service and have gotten MANY people to switch to it. Now it seems i will have to do the opposite.

i hope that pseudo "2%" ends up being 20% of your high speed revenue, j3rks!

my only options now are time warner business class (residental class blows), and uverse business class (btw to the other poster - you have to call to verify and schedule service, they want to take business customers to a more personal level)

Oh and this month, i havent torrented or had any large downloads, and have used almost 300GB in 3 weeks... I hate to see what its like in a month where i do actually download. I bet my TV services probably are 2/3rds of that alone.

They sound like they will be capping but if the notices have started going out, last week, I would think that someone would have had one by now.

TV services are not supposed to be apart of the cappable amount.

And with that being said, AT&T is having serious "believability" issues with folks on AT&T wireless. Some folks call their metering of data, akin to a "rigged gas pump" and that the divisions profits rose big time since changing from unlimited to set amounts for iPhone and iPad users.

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

C-Joe and pc319 - I do not see the usage cap spelled out in te notice itself, unless I'm blind. I darned near am, though.

theroot · ‎03-21-2011

People have been getting email notifications apparently. And that's good to hear about the TV usage i guess, i just assumed they would be shafting us as much as possible and including that in there. Is there any link or official doc supporting that?

thanks!

edit: if you look in the middle of thier email it basically says visit this link to view our new usage policy. they obviously wanted to hide it and cover it up as much as possible.

Computer-Joe · ‎09-19-2008

dhascall wrote:
C-Joe and pc319 - I do not see the usage cap spelled out in te notice itself, unless I'm blind. I darned near am, though.

follow the links.

__________________________________________________________
How can you be in two places at once, when your not anywhere at all?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really want to become a procrastinator, but I keep putting it off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are three kinds of people, those that can count, and those that can't.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature has made them.

Bertrand Russell

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

Computer-Joe wrote:
dhascall wrote:
C-Joe and pc319 - I do not see the usage cap spelled out in te notice itself, unless I'm blind. I darned near am, though.
follow the links.

__________________________________________________________

Right Joe, but how is that "notice" if I have to do something to get to it? More fodder for a profit laden initiative, conspirace theory.

spd2demun · ‎07-28-2007

No notices here (not surprised as they're inconsistent/non-existent as of late).

Still think people using iPhones for tethering and not paying extra to do so have ramped this up. I seem to recall problems started with iPhone eating into ATTs network? And maybe applies to other smartphones, too? All those unlimited data plans?

edit--spelling

SomeJoe7777 · ‎01-30-2008

pc319 wrote:

I got 2 e-mail notices on Friday March 18th for both my uverse residential account and business dsl account. Looks like both are being capped. I know at home I won't go over the 250GB, but for them to cap at 150GB for work is ludacris. Looks like I may have to switch to cable internet.

I don't think the business DSL is capped. Follow the link to the Internet Usage in the updated e-mail and it says this:

Are there any usage limits for my broadband service?

Yes. As of May 2, 2011, AT&T's residential DSL High Speed Internet plans will have a usage allowance of 150 Gigabytes ("GB") per month, and its residential U-verse High Speed Internet plans will have a usage allowance of 250 Gigabytes ("GB") per month. The usage allowance is the amount of data you can send and receive each month.

AT&T's own FAQ clearly states that only residential plans are affected.

Your business DSL account received the e-mail because the changes in the terms of service are broader than just the caps on residential accounts.

dhascall · ‎04-21-2008

spd2demun wrote:
No notices here (not surprised as they're inconsistent/non-existent as of late).

Still think people using iPhones for tethering and not paying extra to do so have ramped this up. I seem to recall problems started with iPhone eating into ATTs network? And maybe applies to other smartphones, too? All those unlimited data plans?

edit--spelling

Eating into AT&T's network? That is what AT&T said. I wonder if it's an infrastructure issue or a demand to make additional money? You decide but I think that I already know. Google +AT&T +wireless +rigged and see what you get.

I would be "more okay" with a cap if an independent auditor were gauging my useage. Even then there could be fraud / dishonest practices.

texasguy37 · ‎05-18-2009

spd2demun wrote:

No notices here (not surprised as they're inconsistent/non-existent as of late).

Still think people using iPhones for tethering and not paying extra to do so have ramped this up. I seem to recall problems started with iPhone eating into ATTs network? And maybe applies to other smartphones, too? All those unlimited data plans?

edit--spelling

The link below was posted on the Uverseusers forum.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/03/18/att-putting-the-smack-down-on-unauthorized-tethering/

pc319 · ‎10-13-2010

SomeJoe7777 wrote:
pc319 wrote:
I got 2 e-mail notices on Friday March 18th for both my uverse residential account and business dsl account. Looks like both are being capped. I know at home I won't go over the 250GB, but for them to cap at 150GB for work is ludacris. Looks like I may have to switch to cable internet.

I don't think the business DSL is capped. Follow the link to the Internet Usage in the updated e-mail and it says this:

Are there any usage limits for my broadband service?
Yes. As of May 2, 2011, AT&T's residential DSL High Speed Internet plans will have a usage allowance of 150 Gigabytes ("GB") per month, and its residential U-verse High Speed Internet plans will have a usage allowance of 250 Gigabytes ("GB") per month. The usage allowance is the amount of data you can send and receive each month.

AT&T's own FAQ clearly states that only residential plans are affected.

Your business DSL account received the e-mail because the changes in the terms of service are broader than just the caps on residential accounts.

Thanks for the clarification, didn't notice the residential wording in the TOS.

U-LostMe · ‎03-19-2011

The guy I spoke to had not been made aware of the support link showing U-verse will be included, not just DSL customers. He also told me initially it would only apply to DSL customers and not U-verse subscribers. http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB409045#fbid=05TE0nPLGJr

U-reversed · ‎03-21-2011

Where do I sign up to complain about 250gb cap or is this sufficient enough of a complaint.

I was so happy years ago to dump Charter Communications and it seems to me that I'll be looking at relocating to an area that Verizon Fios is available in the near future.

How much more are business U-verse accounts? an extra hundred dollars a month for internet?

AT&T, you wonder why consumer reports rates you the worst in wireless customer satisfaction... are you trying for the worst in home internet and TV customer satisfaction crown?

theroot · ‎03-21-2011

U-reversed wrote:
Where do I sign up to complain about 250gb cap or is this sufficient enough of a complaint.

I was so happy years ago to dump Charter Communications and it seems to me that I'll be looking at relocating to an area that Verizon Fios is available in the near future.

How much more are business U-verse accounts? an extra hundred dollars a month for internet?

AT&T, you wonder why consumer reports rates you the worst in wireless customer satisfaction... are you trying for the worst in home internet and TV customer satisfaction crown?

There is no complaining that can do any good. These kind of cats are only moved by money. While a lot of people might transfer service, much like their phones, what will it equate to .5%? How quickly will the standard growth rate proceed that and the wont even notice.

If only Net Nutrality could save us now. This doesn't matter though, the day of freedom on the internet is over. Soon the Government will monitor and filter our traffic to how they see fit, redirect any websites they deem innapropriate to government banners, they will prosecute all torrenters and downloaders, and it'll become just another avenue of control in our already subjugated lifes.

U-reversed · ‎03-21-2011

I think this is a direct result to net neutrality -- because they can't throttle bandwidth to services like netflix they are going around the law by imposing bandwidth caps.

I hope they expand the laws coverage or figure out a better medium

Don't get me wrong, I think net neutrality is a good thing but I think it's kind of !@##@$@ that they can just go around throttling content by imposing bandwidth caps

SomeJoe7777 · ‎01-30-2008

U-reversed wrote:

I think this is a direct result to net neutrality -- because they can't throttle bandwidth to services like netflix they are going around the law by imposing bandwidth caps.

I hope they expand the laws coverage or figure out a better medium

Don't get me wrong, I think net neutrality is a good thing but I think it's kind of !@##@$@ that they can just go around throttling content by imposing bandwidth caps

Given the choice between a bandwidth cap and mucking with my traffic, I choose the bandwidth cap.

Countless things break if the ISP performs deep packet inspection, throttling, custom DNS answers, etc. I would rather they not do any of that and instead just charge me for my usage.

U-reversed · ‎03-21-2011

I agree and thats why net neutrality went into place -- The cap for uverse users though is a too low however, IMO it should be double that which equates to about 16Gb a day in a 31 day month.

cerebrix · ‎06-25-2010

Here's what I want if they want to keep me as a customer.

1) Turn on media room compatibility for windows 7 media center with uverse tv. The backend software is already in place as it's the same software they are running for xbox 360 set top compatibility. If you don't want me watching high def youtube, netflix, and hulu, then at least give me that and have it not effect my bandwidth useage.

2) I want ad blocking on the ISP side. Yes, I know I can run adblock. But if you are going to implement a cap, you cant expect me to WANT to PAY to view advertisements. You already push location based ads to my phones now via sms. So this would be a nice gesture to help me save bandwidth and show me you appreciate my business.

after 8 failed install attempts at my last location. only 1 of which your company had the common courtesy to even tell me that i took off a day to wait for a tech for nothing. It's like you WANT me to give TW my business.

So now its up to you. You have until may when you implement the caps. Otherwise, my fedex discount also works at TW, sprint, and verizon.

Bull52 · ‎03-21-2011

I recently purchased an AT&T microcell because I had no reception in the downstairs of my home. Does this mean that all of my cell phone calls made from home, which I'm already paying for under my wireless plan, will now also count against a bandwith cap for my Uverse internet?

Arch-Stanton · ‎03-16-2011

Bull52 wrote:
I recently purchased an AT&T microcell because I had no reception in the downstairs of my home. Does this mean that all of my cell phone calls made from home, which I'm already paying for under my wireless plan, will now also count against a bandwith cap for my Uverse internet?

Of course. You wouldn't want your cell phone conversations slowing down your neighbors internet connection, now would you?

I'm sure some of these helpful gentlemen on the forums will explain why that won't matter to you. You know, the guys who are definitely not AT&T employees, and don't really like the data cap, but you'll never use that much data, now would you? And where would you go, anyway, its not like everyone ELSE doesn't already have data caps (except for the companies that don't, but you won't find thier names on here)? We should all just calm down, take a big ol' sip of kool-aid, and Look!!! What's that over there!?!?! AT&T bought T-Mobile? Wow!! Wait a minute, were we just talking about data caps or something...?

CaptainA-W-E-so… · ‎03-17-2011

And interesting video about UBB in Canada:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6peRQV5hFEQ

It's basically the same thing here.

callmeox · ‎08-30-2007

No no, this is all just an unsubstantiated rumor and you're freaking out about nothing at all.

Or so we were told.

I hope they come out with the usage meter before the TOS kicks in on 5/3, but I'm not holding my breath. The wording on the site telling us that we have nothing to be concerned about borders on arrogance, too.