Questions about data caps? [ Edited ]

[michaelchaney]

I'm a U-Verse customer and I do not agree with this policy...

[Per Guidelines, Keep It Spam Free]

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Expert]

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ScottMac wrote:

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Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

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Who said it would?

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No one, but look at it from the customer's perspective:

• Currently, the U-Verse data usage meter isn't even operational.
• The 2Wire routers do not appear to have but minimal functionality for counting traffic (only byte counters for the interfaces).
• Differentiating between these types of traffic requires deep packet inspection, which is not within the capabilities of the 2Wire router, thus in order to except these traffic streams, the traffic will have to be counted elsewhere.
• Other ISPs, especially in Canada, have had major trouble accurately counting traffic.  In the case of one Canadian ISP, the meter inaccuracy was so high and so widespread that the ISP was forced to rescind overage charges for months while the meter problems were addressed.
• Several reports have come out that AT&T's wireless phone service usage meters are highly inaccurate.
• One report recently shows that AT&T's DSL usage meters are highly inaccurate.

You have to recognize the extreme skepticism that the consumer has in regards to AT&T's ability to properly counting our U-Verse internet traffic.  None of the above instills any confidence.

[chikenkicker]

If those examples of what we can do is accurate my household is screwed. I use Netflix a lot. More than the tv. And I know I watch more than what they say we can do without going over.

[bld522]

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ScottMac wrote:

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Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

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Good to see you again, ScottMac.  Last time you were here, I tried to engage you in a conversation about the accuracy of AT&T's broadband usage meter and the desirability of incorporating usage meters into AT&T router firmware so AT&T customers could monitor their own usage.  Care to comment?

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Darn.  I thought not!

[sandman__1]

Stormer99 said:

 BTW COMCAST provides 600GB per month.  A family of avid computer users, who routinely watch internet video and play on-line games can burn through 250 pretty quickly (the games aloan are 6-9 GB per download). 

I thought Comcast raised their cap from 250GB to 600GB a little while back. If Comcast saw that 250GB isn't enough, then why is AT&T thinking it is. Not a question, just speaking rhetorically. 

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

The Comcast internet bandwidth cap is still 250 GB.  It has not been increased.  Prior to the announcement of the 250 GB cap, Comcast had an "invisible" cap of 600 GB.

http://www.comcast.net/terms/network/amendment/

[anorman711]

I'm sure you all have read the updated terms of service that went out this morning concerning the implementation of use limits for internet service:

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

It's interesting to note that we can not currently check our usage in all areas, I for one, can not.  I can only calculate the traffic since my router was reset, about 36 hours ago, which indicates roughly 10 gb of data.  That pretty much shows that I will be over the limit by around 16gb, and to be honest, I've not done very much online, but I rely heavily on my internet connection.  To sum this up, this is a deal breaker for me, and this being the suggestion forum, I'd simply like to suggest that AT&T not do this-  other service providers are not doing it, so I'll simply switch. 

Increasing the limit to something reasonable, or adding the option to increase this limit may be acceptable, but 250 gigabytes a month can be easily topped on my ipad, hence the service plan indicative of that expectation.  The observation that the average user uses 18gb per month isn't at all accurate for anyone with a reasonably fast internet connection;  why have a 25208 kbs connection if you only use 18gb a month?

I would also like to suggest that AT&T not trivialize the arbitrary decision to do this by masking it behind a "terms of service" update, this is a big deal, and you should let people know what you are doing so that they can respond to your decision.  Do not forsake the good will of your customers, it's not easily gained.

[ScottMac]

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bld522 wrote:

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ScottMac wrote:

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Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

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Good to see you again, ScottMac.  Last time you were here, I tried to engage you in a conversation about the accuracy of AT&T's broadband usage meter and the desirability of incorporating usage meters into AT&T router firmware so AT&T customers could monitor their own usage.  Care to comment?

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.

.

Darn.  I thought not!

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Last I've looked, the usage meter is still under construction.When I see it in action, I'll comment.

Re-writing the firmware for the RG is not a trivial task, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. We'll see.

Responding to your speculation is pretty much a waste of time; I doubt that you'd be convinced ... your mind's made up and it's not even an active system yet.

I'm a U-verse user too (and Netflix, Vudu, Hula, Pandora ...). I'm not happy with the cap either (not really a cap, more of a threshold where additional costs are incurred), but I'm willing to wait and see the system in operation rather than to panic and get wound-up over rumors and speculation from blogs and press that is not exactly "AT&T Friendly."

[bld522]

I'm not a UVerse user, Scott.  I'm a DSL customer using a 2Wire HG-B modem.  And my usage meter is already up and running at AT&T.  As far as "AT&T Friendly" is concerned, my electric utility is friendly enough.  But I sure wouldn't give up my local electric meter if they asked me to and trust them to tell me how much electricity I was using every month from now on.  Would you?  (Before you answer that question, I should inform you that my electric company has had to issue me credits on no less than three separate occasions over the last 12 months due to meter misreadings.)

Allowing a broadband provider to tell me how much broadband I'm using every month without having some way to verify their data independently is tantamount to asking a fox to guard a henhouse.  You know it, I know it, and anyone with half a brain knows it.

[jmsherman8]

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:

---

ScottMac wrote:

---

Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

---

No one, but look at it from the customer's perspective:

• Currently, the U-Verse data usage meter isn't even operational.
• The 2Wire routers do not appear to have but minimal functionality for counting traffic (only byte counters for the interfaces).
• Differentiating between these types of traffic requires deep packet inspection, which is not within the capabilities of the 2Wire router, thus in order to except these traffic streams, the traffic will have to be counted elsewhere.
• Other ISPs, especially in Canada, have had major trouble accurately counting traffic.  In the case of one Canadian ISP, the meter inaccuracy was so high and so widespread that the ISP was forced to rescind overage charges for months while the meter problems were addressed.
• Several reports have come out that AT&T's wireless phone service usage meters are highly inaccurate.
• One report recently shows that AT&T's DSL usage meters are highly inaccurate.

You have to recognize the extreme skepticism that the consumer has in regards to AT&T's ability to properly counting our U-Verse internet traffic.  None of the above instills any confidence.

---

The fact is consumers DO NOT want any caps on data at all. When ATT came out with there usage caps on data for there mobile phone plans customers started leaving. Alot of customers did. The other two major carriers Verizon and Sprint both cashed in on the mistake that ATT made in the market place by emphasizing that they had NO caps on data while ATT did. This has proven to be a less than desirable situation for ATT. Now with them instituiting caps on there DSL / Uverse products I think we will see alternative carriers using that to sell against them hard. Just as people were leaving Comcast in droves over the bandwidth cap they will leave ATT over it. In the end they will lose more money than they make. 

[ScottMac]

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:

---

ScottMac wrote:

---

Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

---

No one, but look at it from the customer's perspective:

• Currently, the U-Verse data usage meter isn't even operational.
• The 2Wire routers do not appear to have but minimal functionality for counting traffic (only byte counters for the interfaces).
• Differentiating between these types of traffic requires deep packet inspection, which is not within the capabilities of the 2Wire router, thus in order to except these traffic streams, the traffic will have to be counted elsewhere.
• Other ISPs, especially in Canada, have had major trouble accurately counting traffic.  In the case of one Canadian ISP, the meter inaccuracy was so high and so widespread that the ISP was forced to rescind overage charges for months while the meter problems were addressed.
• Several reports have come out that AT&T's wireless phone service usage meters are highly inaccurate.
• One report recently shows that AT&T's DSL usage meters are highly inaccurate.

You have to recognize the extreme skepticism that the consumer has in regards to AT&T's ability to properly counting our U-Verse internet traffic.  None of the above instills any confidence.

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Understood. I have some doubts of my own. What I object to is the amplified speculation; layer upon layer of "I don't know but I'm gonna get upset anyway because {pick a non-company source} said {pick an unsubstantiated  rumor or speculation}."

Skeptical I can get behind, honest. But skepticism (IMO) assumes some kind of basic foundational information beyond "it was screwed up in the past, so it's gonna be (stated as a fact, not as a supposition) screwed up this time."

In the history of ISP/Carriers imposing caps, or in some way messing with the data flow, it's always come under hard scrutiny; bad things have been found and either corrected or removed until proper implementation can be achieved.

I have no reason to believe that will be any different this time. I'm expecting to see the usual broadside of class-action lawsuits, customer churn, and bad press ... it just goes with the territory. "Wronged" customers will complain and or seek corrective reimbursement; anything found to be seirously out of kilter will be found and, without doubt, reported by a less-than-friendly press.

On the positive side, the overwhelming majority of customers are not contractually bound and can move to whichever alternative provider they feel can give them better service, however they choose to define it, i.e., capped or not capped.

As I mentioned in another post, I am also a consumer of Netflix, Vudu, Hula, Pandora and some other services. I am not happy to see the new "cap" (more of a billing threshold ... the data still makes it through un-hindered), but I'm willing to see how it actually affects me before I get upset about it (or not).

[ScottMac]

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bld522 wrote:

I'm not a UVerse user, Scott.  I'm a DSL customer using a 2Wire HG-B modem.  And my usage meter is already up and running at AT&T.  As far as "AT&T Friendly" is concerned, my electric utility is friendly enough.  But I sure wouldn't give up my local electric meter if they asked me to and trust them to tell me how much electricity I was using every month from now on.  Would you?  (Before you answer that question, I should inform you that my electric company has had to issue me credits on no less than three separate occasions over the last 12 months due to meter misreadings.)

Allowing a broadband provider to tell me how much broadband I'm using every month without having some way to verify their data independently is tantamount to asking a fox to guard a henhouse.  You know it, I know it, and anyone with half a brain knows it.

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I agree. What I'm saying is to wait until it actually happens and work from a set of facts instead of speculation that tends to baloon and generate other speculation .... wait and see is all I'm saying. If evil stuff happens, it'll be found, reported, and either corrected or withdrawn. The market is not going to permit anything seriously ugly or unfair to occur ... and anyone with the other half of a brain knows that too.

[bld522]

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ScottMac wrote:

 In the history of ISP/Carriers imposing caps, or in some way messing with the data flow, it's always come under hard scrutiny; bad things have been found and either corrected or removed until proper implementation can be achieved.

I have no reason to believe that will be any different this time. I'm expecting to see the usual broadside of class-action lawsuits, customer churn, and bad press ... it just goes with the territory. "Wronged" customers will complain and or seek corrective reimbursement; anything found to be seirously out of kilter will be found and, without doubt, reported by a less-than-friendly press.

On the positive side, the overwhelming majority of customers are not contractually bound and can move to whichever alternative provider they feel can give them better service, however they choose to define it, i.e., capped or not capped.

As I mentioned in another post, I am also a consumer of Netflix, Vudu, Hula, Pandora and some other services. I am not happy to see the new "cap" (more of a billing threshold ... the data still makes it through un-hindered), but I'm willing to see how it actually affects me before I get upset about it (or not).

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So I take it you would have no problem giving up your electric meter then.  Is that correct?

The issue is AT&T's arrogance in thinking that they can actually get away with this.  Why should we be subject to "bad things" happening before AT&T does the right thing?  Couldn't they actually care enough about their customers to do the right thing from the outset?

[ScottMac]

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jmsherman8 wrote:

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:

---

ScottMac wrote:

---

Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

---

No one, but look at it from the customer's perspective:

• Currently, the U-Verse data usage meter isn't even operational.
• The 2Wire routers do not appear to have but minimal functionality for counting traffic (only byte counters for the interfaces).
• Differentiating between these types of traffic requires deep packet inspection, which is not within the capabilities of the 2Wire router, thus in order to except these traffic streams, the traffic will have to be counted elsewhere.
• Other ISPs, especially in Canada, have had major trouble accurately counting traffic.  In the case of one Canadian ISP, the meter inaccuracy was so high and so widespread that the ISP was forced to rescind overage charges for months while the meter problems were addressed.
• Several reports have come out that AT&T's wireless phone service usage meters are highly inaccurate.
• One report recently shows that AT&T's DSL usage meters are highly inaccurate.

You have to recognize the extreme skepticism that the consumer has in regards to AT&T's ability to properly counting our U-Verse internet traffic.  None of the above instills any confidence.

---

The fact is consumers DO NOT want any caps on data at all. When ATT came out with there usage caps on data for there mobile phone plans customers started leaving. Alot of customers did. The other two major carriers Verizon and Sprint both cashed in on the mistake that ATT made in the market place by emphasizing that they had NO caps on data while ATT did. This has proven to be a less than desirable situation for ATT. Now with them instituiting caps on there DSL / Uverse products I think we will see alternative carriers using that to sell against them hard. Just as people were leaving Comcast in droves over the bandwidth cap they will leave ATT over it. In the end they will lose more money than they make. 

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Well, if that's the case, then ultimately they will remove or elevate the cap. If the company screws up and suffers loss of business for it, they learn and correct it (hopefully); that's what free trade is all about.

IMO, I think that the overwhelming majority of customers will not notice any difference, or see any changes in their bill.

[bld522]

Noticing any changes in our bills is STILL not the point.  Don't you get it?  We are being asked to trust a broadband provider to give us proper usage figures when it's in their interest to inflate the figures.  And ABSOLUTELY NOBODY is auditing them to make sure their figures are accurate.  That's the point!

AT&T is operating on arrogance and greed, pure and simple.

[jmsherman8]

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bld522 wrote:

---

ScottMac wrote:

 In the history of ISP/Carriers imposing caps, or in some way messing with the data flow, it's always come under hard scrutiny; bad things have been found and either corrected or removed until proper implementation can be achieved.

I have no reason to believe that will be any different this time. I'm expecting to see the usual broadside of class-action lawsuits, customer churn, and bad press ... it just goes with the territory. "Wronged" customers will complain and or seek corrective reimbursement; anything found to be seirously out of kilter will be found and, without doubt, reported by a less-than-friendly press.

On the positive side, the overwhelming majority of customers are not contractually bound and can move to whichever alternative provider they feel can give them better service, however they choose to define it, i.e., capped or not capped.

As I mentioned in another post, I am also a consumer of Netflix, Vudu, Hula, Pandora and some other services. I am not happy to see the new "cap" (more of a billing threshold ... the data still makes it through un-hindered), but I'm willing to see how it actually affects me before I get upset about it (or not).

---

So I take it you would have no problem giving up your electric meter then.  Is that correct?

The issue is AT&T's arrogance in thinking that they can actually get away with this.  Why should we be subject to "bad things" happening before AT&T does the right thing?  Couldn't they actually care enough about their customers to do the right thing from the outset?

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bld I don't think that is what he is saying. In essence I think what scott is trying to say is that at some point there will be some from of "broadband meter" installed. But it won't be installed until all the legal issues and problems have come to pass. To be honest I see ATT doing this to be a step that will force the FCC's hand and hopefully we will see the FCC make a ruling that will either make capping / metered usage on the net such a royal pain for the carriers that they will run away from it screaming like school children in a horror movie, or they (being the FCC) will make it illegal to do at all. I believe it will probably end up being the former of the two. It will probably end up being a third party who is totally impartial being brought in to adjudicate these cases of bandwidth overages that will cause them to abandon it totally...especially if they start seeing massive fines for it. We can only hope that is what happens. If that happens to ATT then you will see Comcast rescind there cap as well as the FCC will be left with no choice but to impose these same regulations on them as well.

[bld522]

Perhaps.  In the meantime, we are at the mercy of broadband providers who institute caps without any way to verify their usage data.  How many millions of dollars will they accrue in overcharges before the FCC steps in and stops them?  And do you think you'll ever see a penny of it back?  I certainly hope you're not naive enough to believe that you won't be taken advantage of if a broadband provider thinks they can get away with it.

[jmsherman8]

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ScottMac wrote:

---

jmsherman8 wrote:

---

SomeJoe7777 wrote:

---

ScottMac wrote:

---

Garthilk wrote:

Why do unwanted At&t advertisements count against my data cap?

Why does reciving my email bill count against my data cap?

Why does using the support website count against my data cap?

---

Who said it would?

---

No one, but look at it from the customer's perspective:

• Currently, the U-Verse data usage meter isn't even operational.
• The 2Wire routers do not appear to have but minimal functionality for counting traffic (only byte counters for the interfaces).
• Differentiating between these types of traffic requires deep packet inspection, which is not within the capabilities of the 2Wire router, thus in order to except these traffic streams, the traffic will have to be counted elsewhere.
• Other ISPs, especially in Canada, have had major trouble accurately counting traffic.  In the case of one Canadian ISP, the meter inaccuracy was so high and so widespread that the ISP was forced to rescind overage charges for months while the meter problems were addressed.
• Several reports have come out that AT&T's wireless phone service usage meters are highly inaccurate.
• One report recently shows that AT&T's DSL usage meters are highly inaccurate.

You have to recognize the extreme skepticism that the consumer has in regards to AT&T's ability to properly counting our U-Verse internet traffic.  None of the above instills any confidence.

---

The fact is consumers DO NOT want any caps on data at all. When ATT came out with there usage caps on data for there mobile phone plans customers started leaving. Alot of customers did. The other two major carriers Verizon and Sprint both cashed in on the mistake that ATT made in the market place by emphasizing that they had NO caps on data while ATT did. This has proven to be a less than desirable situation for ATT. Now with them instituiting caps on there DSL / Uverse products I think we will see alternative carriers using that to sell against them hard. Just as people were leaving Comcast in droves over the bandwidth cap they will leave ATT over it. In the end they will lose more money than they make. 

---

Well, if that's the case, then ultimately they will remove or elevate the cap. If the company screws up and suffers loss of business for it, they learn and correct it (hopefully); that's what free trade is all about.

IMO, I think that the overwhelming majority of customers will not notice any difference, or see any changes in their bill.

---

Scottie,

    I have been in the industry for years and I can tell you that customers hate these types of things. It is why unlimited LD is so popular now. And once they have it they get very very angry if it is taken away, you and I both know how that ends. i think you are going to see a  mass migration off of UVERSE. The only thing that is saving ATT from it already is that Comcast has the same cap. If they see this as an opportunity though and launch Xfinity and rescind there cap, you can pretty much call it over. The UVERSE business model for residential will collapse. I would also expect to see you lose almost every single DSL customer to comcast regardless. honestly this was really poorly thought out. Especially since Comcast Business class runs about $60.00 per month and has no cap whatsoever...speeds here comparable as well.

[jmsherman8]

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bld522 wrote:

Perhaps.  In the meantime, we are at the mercy of broadband providers who institute caps without any way to verify their data.  How many millions of dollars will they accrue before the FCC steps in and stops them?  And do you think you'll ever see a penny of it back?  I certainly hope you're not naive enough to believe that you won't be taken advantage of if a provider thinks they can get away with it.

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BLD I am far from niave. I believe if they think they can take advantage they will. However you can always utilize the public utilities commission in your state if that becomes an issue. Not only will you get a refund, but you they will also be penalized.

[bld522]

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jmsherman8 wrote:

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bld522 wrote:

Perhaps.  In the meantime, we are at the mercy of broadband providers who institute caps without any way to verify their data.  How many millions of dollars will they accrue before the FCC steps in and stops them?  And do you think you'll ever see a penny of it back?  I certainly hope you're not naive enough to believe that you won't be taken advantage of if a provider thinks they can get away with it.

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BLD I am far from niave. I believe if they think they can take advantage they will. However you can always utilize the public utilities commission in your state if that becomes an issue. Not only will you get a refund, but you they will also be penalized.

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If only that were true.  Broadband providers are not regulated as utilities are.  So complaining to the public utilities commission will do me no good.  Besides that, how am I to know whether I'm being taken advantage of if I can't independently monitor my own data usage?

Think man.  THINK!

[jmsherman8]

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bld522 wrote:

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jmsherman8 wrote:

---

bld522 wrote:

Perhaps.  In the meantime, we are at the mercy of broadband providers who institute caps without any way to verify their data.  How many millions of dollars will they accrue before the FCC steps in and stops them?  And do you think you'll ever see a penny of it back?  I certainly hope you're not naive enough to believe that you won't be taken advantage of if a provider thinks they can get away with it.

---

BLD I am far from niave. I believe if they think they can take advantage they will. However you can always utilize the public utilities commission in your state if that becomes an issue. Not only will you get a refund, but you they will also be penalized.

---

If only that were true.  Broadband providers are not regulated as utilities are.  So complaining to the public utilities commission will do me no good.  Besides that, how am I to know whether I'm being taken advantage of if I can't independently monitor my own data usage?

Think man.  Think!

---

Here in Michigan they are BLD. How you do it is to baseline your internet usage and if you see a large spike call ATT first to see if they address it. continue to complain (this generates a paper trail for you) then finally take it to the local PUC. Once they get involved, well lets just say it isn't pleasant for a carrier. They basically start auditing EVERYTHING. Its a mess when it happens.

[bld522]

From the California Public Utilities Commission website (I'm in Los Angeles):

Please be aware that the CPUC cannot help you resolve issues with:

• Publicly owned or municipal utilities, such as SMUD or the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
• Federal, city, or county taxes and surcharges on your bills.
• Long-distance telephone, cable TV, cellular phone rates, paging, or Internet rates and services. [Emphasis added]

Source:  http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/CEC/e_complaint/a_utilitycomplaint.htm

PS:  Too bad we don't all live in Michigan.

[Gnomatic]

More evidence AT&T's meter is rigged.  From DSL Reports:

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Taking-A-Closer-Look-At-ATTs-Inaccurate-Usage-Meters-113442?nocom...

"AT&T's usage numbers appear to be corrupt

After finding that AT&T can't add its own stats correctly, I decided that more in-depth checking was warranted. Luckily, my DD-WRT router is the last stop before my DSL modem, and it automatically keeps upload and download usage meters. I already had everything necessary to fact-check AT&T's usage numbers. When I compared the daily AT&T usage data vs DD-WRT's usage data, I was in for a shock. It appears as though AT&T's data is entirely corrupt. Not only was I being wildly overcharged on some days (to the tune of a 15GB overcharge in a single day), but I was also being undercharged on other days.

The errors become glaringly obvious when the AT&T reported data minus the DD-WRT reported data is graphed. Points above the axis are overcharges, points below the axis are undercharges:"

[Kong57]

Dallas Tx. I have Uverse 450 and just got this Email: 

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: 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.

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Sincerely,
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[ScottMac]

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bld522 wrote:

Noticing any changes in our bills is STILL not the point.  Don't you get it?  We are being asked to trust a broadband provider to give us proper usage figures when it's in their interest to inflate the figures.  And ABSOLUTELY NOBODY is auditing them to make sure their figures are accurate.  That's the point!

AT&T is operating on arrogance and greed, pure and simple.

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THe underlying theme I am attempting to present is to save the "Torches and Pitchfork" attitude until they (well, "we" - I work for AT&T) do something wrong with specific regard to this future intention.

When the day comes that the cap/threshold is imposed, and they still don't have the meter available, then there's something to be upset about, and something concrete to complain about.

AT&T is operating as any other business would (even Google and Netflix ...) we are a "for profit" organization.

[ummann]

just started using netmeter and all i am doing is watching tv HD channel and it's adding 5.83mb a second to my bandwidth total. so 4 tv going i'm going to use roughly 20mb+ a second when it has nothing to do with internet. with tv off i'm see'n 12 to 70kb of d/l speed and 5 to 10kb of uplaod and thats with nothing on except this pc and browser open ot anything. 7 minutes of tv and i'm at 500mb already. this pc is on ethernet right to the homeportal no wireless. anyone have any idea's why or is just att sucks and i'll be having fun every month calling and arguing with proof that there system is flawed.

[bld522]

Yes, but it's one thing to make a living by serving your customers and another thing to make a living by taking advantage of them.  And I don't necessarily agree that waiting for a problem to occur is the best way to handle things.  As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The entire situation surrounding AT&T broadband caps is a complete can of worms.  Don't believe me?  Read this open letter to your CEO from the publisher of Consumer Reports:

March 15, 2011

Randall L. Stephenson

CEO, AT&T Inc.

Dear Mr. Stephenson:

            Consumers Union, non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports® magazine, writes to you regarding the recent announcement that AT&T Inc. will adopt data usage caps and overage charges for its DSL and U-Verse Internet access services.  The data usage caps and subsequent overage charges will limit consumer choice and add to the ever-increasing costs of Internet access for consumers.

            While you have claimed the new policy will only impact the two percent of your customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth, it is difficult to predict which services and activities consumers will demand in the future and how much bandwidth they will require.  These usage caps and overage charges will only restrict consumer choice and demand for online services and activities that consumers desire, as many consumers will not want to or be able to pay excessive overage charges.  Moreover, these overage charges may be out of proportion to the cost for the additional data capacity. 

            Consumers rely on their Internet connection for a variety of activities.  For example, many consumers use their Internet access for online gaming and to stream video.  The average online gamer spends over 6.5 hours per week gaming online.  Heavy gamers often spend upwards of 20 hours per week online.  Consumers who choose to use the Internet for an activity like online gaming will potentially have to choose between limiting an activity they enjoy to keep within their usage limits, or facing punitive overage charges.

            Similarly, consumers are also using their Internet connection to watch video.  According to a recent report, the average American spent over 14 hours watching online video content in December of 2010.  This represented a 12% increase from last year.  In January 2011 alone, online video viewing saw a 45% increase in time spent on viewing video from the same time last year.  This trend demonstrates that online video viewing is becoming more popular with more consumers.  However, consumers who choose to use their Internet connection to watch video may eventually have to choose between limiting their online video consumption and paying excessive overage charges.  The concerning aspect of AT&T’s announcement is that U-Verse video content will not be affected by the cap.  In an effort to avoid excessive overage charges, consumers may be compelled to rely solely on U-Verse for their video and discontinue watching the online video content of their choice.

            Recently, Bell Canada attempted to implement a metered Internet access regime.  Consumers, however, were so angry over Bell Canada’s proposal that Canada’s Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission reversed its approval of Bell Canada’s metered plan.  While the data caps in Bell Canada’s plan were smaller than AT&T’s proposal, Consumers Union hopes that AT&T will reconsider its data caps and overage charges so that consumers will not be penalized for accessing the Internet content and services of their choice.

Sincerely,

Parul P. Desai
Consumers Union

[ummann]

Got great one for everyone just got off phone with att. since i have uverse internet, phone, and tv there will be no caps for people who have this service. i made sure the comvo was recorded by melisa and got a case number and her id number and also got her dispatch manager who gave her this info and his id number also so they can't say this convo never happened. so what she said if u have uverse with everything u will not be capped at 250gigs only people u use internet only. can't wait to see reply's to this one

[Stormer99]

The underlying theme I'm trying to make is AT&T is misleading the public and thier intentions are dubious at best.  To cap bandwidth inorder to curb our access to thier competitors services is unacceptable and only serves to prove why TV/Video providers should not be in the ISP buisiness.

[peteyboy]

@ ummann...

That would be nice if they made it unlimited internet for us with the triple uverse package,but I have a hunch you spoke to a rookie customer service agent who does know much of hand,you should of asked to speak to her supervisor to verify.

But fingers crossed if it is true though