Oh boy, here we go. AT&T to start testing metered internet billing in Reno.

[djrobx]

I realize this is a "trial" - but, I wonder how long it will be take for this to hit U-verse?

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Starts-Metered-Billing-Trial-In-Reno-98856

[spd2demun ACE - Expert]

...You hit the cap sooner when you get a higher-speed package...

Is that why they're trying to bump people to Elite or Max?

[Escapee]

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spd2demun wrote:

...You hit the cap sooner when you get a higher-speed package...

Is that why they're trying to bump people to Elite or Max?

---

The article said your cap depended on your tier. It would be nice to see what the usage is for each 5% of the total customer base. If 90% use x amount and the next 5% use twice as much and the last 5% use 3 times or more as much then maybe there should be some kind of cap. In other words if the usage curve is exponential then the few biggest users are increasing the costs for everyone else. If the usage is linear then caps are not needed. If they do go to caps then they need to supply a real time usage meter that appears on your brower.

[Datalyss]

The only reason I have stayed with AT&T for the past few years is the lack of caps.  I can get faster elsewhere for about the same price or just a little more.  Every once in a while I have a heavy month of downloading and I could easily hit one of the higher caps.  If (when) they start to roll this out I will then look somwhere else.  I'll probably pay more, but that's something I am willing to do.  I want a dumb pipe.  No bells and whistles.  Just internet.  It may not be offered in the future this way, but it's still what I want as a consumer.  We'll see. 

I don't want my internet to be like cellular plans with a cap on my usage and crazy penalties if I go over.  What's nex?  20 hours of TV and $5 for every hour over?

Do you think they will institute roll over bytes?  Hahaha

-=Scott=-

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

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spd2demun wrote:

...You hit the cap sooner when you get a higher-speed package...

Is that why they're trying to bump people to Elite or Max?

---

Unless I missed something, this is a DSL only trial in Reno and not for Uverse subs.

[TimS_1]

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Escapee wrote:

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spd2demun wrote:

...You hit the cap sooner when you get a higher-speed package...

Is that why they're trying to bump people to Elite or Max?

---

The article said your cap depended on your tier. It would be nice to see what the usage is for each 5% of the total customer base. If 90% use x amount and the next 5% use twice as much and the last 5% use 3 times or more as much then maybe there should be some kind of cap. In other words if the usage curve is exponential then the few biggest users are increasing the costs for everyone else. If the usage is linear then caps are not needed. If they do go to caps then they need to supply a real time usage meter that appears on your brower.

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I think that the 5% that use more bandwidth already pay more because they pay for faster speed higher priced tier.

 

 Could U-Verse survive if say Netflix came out with a video service that could send say four streams down a 10 Meg pipe using something like Xbox. I can get U-verse internet only right?

Netflix teams with xbox Cant have somthing like this eat all there profits.

Message Edited by TimS on 11-04-2008 12:24 AM

[dmeyers]

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djrobx wrote:

I realize this is a "trial" - but, I wonder how long it will be take for this to hit U-verse?

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Starts-Metered-Billing-Trial-In-Reno-98856

---

You can count on it coming to Uverse. All company's that provide internet are looking for revenue stream and want to add caps. In the early stages they tried to blame p2p but what it is really is about is protecting their interest. Video content and HD downloads and internet tv are just starting to establish itself and can cut into the profits of ATT, cable providers, etc. With caps in place a person could go over a cap in days watching internet video streaming. Just think you start to use Netflix streaming throu your Xbox and then get a warning that your twenty percent away from going over your limit. 

What I am afraid of is the Pandora box. Once opened these companys can and will change the limits to suit their need's and raise the prices for people who need more. This short sided thinking will stifle internet growth not control it and provide benefit to no one. 

[keltec]

I had just cancelled my scheduled install when this came out. Sure glad I did. Reason I did was previous issues with ATT phone service and how they now charge for items on your cell bill that used to be standard issue. ATT is back to their old tricks they used when they were a monopoly.

[randyl]

another article   fyi

"Customers will be able to track their usage on an AT&T Web site."

[dmeyers]

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randyl wrote:

another article   fyi

"Customers will be able to track their usage on an AT&T Web site."

---

If ATT puts in that cap model All my business with them is gone.

[TimS_1]

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caliuser wrote:

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randyl wrote:

another article   fyi

"Customers will be able to track their usage on an AT&T Web site."

---

If ATT puts in that cap model All my business with them is gone.

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Two what?? That's the zinger in all this; you can’t leave them because both providers in your area will be doing the same thing! Look at Usenet as the model on this. If they all drop it at the same time nobody will leave because they dropped it.

[RCSMG ACE - Expert]

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caliuser wrote:

---

randyl wrote:

another article   fyi

"Customers will be able to track their usage on an AT&T Web site."

---

If ATT puts in that cap model All my business with them is gone.

---

That is going to be highly likely for a lot of people who currently have Uverse.  Some may decide to keep the cable service and others, for varying reasons will elect to drop all of the services.  The only thing to consider is that bandwidth caps are coming and are going to be a part of life with most if not all of the isp's.  Get ready.

[dmeyers]

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TimS wrote:

---

caliuser wrote:

---

randyl wrote:

another article   fyi

"Customers will be able to track their usage on an AT&T Web site."

---

If ATT puts in that cap model All my business with them is gone.

---

Two what?? That's the zinger in all this; you can’t leave them because both providers in your area will be doing the same thing! Look at Usenet as the model on this. If they all drop it at the same time nobody will leave because they dropped it.

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I will go to the highest cap. If ATT goes to 80gigs a month at the 6mbps plan I will go back to Comcast and their 250gig.

Message Edited by caliuser on 11-04-2008 11:36 AM

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

The sky is falling.

[MarkShadid]

I would likely go back to Cox once the caps start.

[cheer]

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callmeox wrote:
The sky is falling.

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Post of the year.

[rickz0rz]

I already sent at&t a nice email expressing my opinion on the matter (hint: it's not good).

I seriously hope that this trial remains just that--a trial, that doesn't expand.    at&t shouldn't depend on usage caps because they oversell their bandwidth, and every argument I've heard is complete BS.  The only one I can think of that people mention is that it'd be subsidizing those heavy users...  which would only appear as to be valid if your costs go down in sync with the caps (and it won't, so the argument is invalid).

In all honesty, it seems to fit with overselling + prevention of internet intensive VOD services like NetFlix, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live...  Why let them use the network for content to the consumer, when you can force them to pay $6 for an HD VOD rental through YOUR services?

Sttttttuuuuuppppiiiiidddd.

at&t--please, take the high-road here.  WideOpenWest isn't doing tiered/capped internet.  Verizon isn't.  Do you SERIOUSLY want to follow the path of Comcast, one of the worst rated cable companies out there?

I mentioned that one of the reasons I LEFT Comcast was because of the bandwidth caps that they announced (and the price).  Should at&t implement caps, it seriously might make me think things over twice.

Like I said, I sent an e-mail expressing my distaste of the situation.  I recommend everyone else do the same.  This is stupid, and we need to voice our opinions on the matter.

Message Edited by rickz0rz on 11-05-2008 11:36 PM

[djrobx]

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TimS wrote:
Two what?? That's the zinger in all this; you can’t leave them because both providers in your area will be doing the same thing! Look at Usenet as the model on this. If they all drop it at the same time nobody will leave because they dropped it.

---

Comcast is a much better choice if they're in your area.  Compare 250GB for Comcast standard HSI to this:

This is from the FAQ at:

http://broadband-usage.att.com/

Message Edited by djrobx on 11-06-2008 07:45 AM

[Koolkid1935]

The internet radio station that I listen to racks up 3.2GB per day (96GB/month assuming a 30 day month) on it's own.  It runs at 320Kb/s, but that adds up over the course of a day/month.  It is on all the time, even at night since I like listening to music when I go to sleep.  On top of that, I use NBC's Direct which is essentially a P2P app that downloads episodes of shows that I like.  Other than NBC Direct, we don't run any other type of P2P programs here.  Then we also have the Xbox's that we use for XBL not only for gaming, but we download the occasional movie every now and then and also game demos...Since we have two 360s, sometimes the demo gets downloaded twice depending on if both my sister and I want it.  I also watch my TV shows on Hulu (or the broadcaster's website depending) since they look much better than Bresnan's SD feed does.  We actually use quite a lot of bandwidth considering there are far more uses that we could use it for that would make our usage go much, much higher (heavy P2P for instance)...

The station I listened to before ran at 192Kb/s (just switched a couple of days ago to the 320Kb/s station).  This is what our usage looked like for October:

There were a few days in there at the end that I didn't use internet radio because the station I listened to went down (hence the change to a new one).

Message Edited by Koolkid1935 on 11-06-2008 10:47 AM

[apoclypse]

This is quite disturbing given that Comcast's limits at the high-end are 250GB; 100GB over AT&T highest cap.  That alone would make me rethink my decision to stick with U-Verse.  Quite disappointing if they move forward with this.

Message Edited by apoclypse on 11-06-2008 01:35 PM

[siouxmoux]

Now This really bad business move for ATT. ATT should at least match Comcast Bandwidth Cap or offer higher Bandwidth Cap plan to stay competitive in the market place. I am now seriously thinking of switching back to Comcast for only Internet access. Their Tier 12/2 with 250gig cap for $52.99 a mouth is better deal then ATT MAX Tier 10/1.5 150gig cap for $55.

[Uturnaroun]

Great. I used to be happy with AT&T staying away from caps and now looks what's happening. Maybe we should take a leaf out of Hogrunr's book and try to contact an AT&T bigwig?

[djrobx]

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Maybe we should take a leaf out of Hogrunr's book and try to contact an AT&T bigwig?

---

Great idea.  I'm really OK with metered bandwidth to discourage wasteful and mindless use of resources, but the values that AT&T are testing with are downright stingy.   AT&T should be able to do better.    At least match Comcast on the expensive Max tier.

[apoclypse]

I definitely agree that we need to escalate our concerns.  I'm not sure how we go about doing that or who we could contact.  If they're going to put caps into place, at least make comparable with other competitors in the area.  A 100GB difference between AT&T and Comcast is outrageous.  I doubt I would just switch Internet over since Comcast tends to charge Internet at a higher rate without a Cable package.  I would be more inclined to switch over all services, and I would think others would as well.

[TimS_1]

I wonder what the cap for MAX18 will be? I would not pay $65 even if it was uncapped. Any body in the test market? If so cancel AT&T so they get the hint and don’t spread this pricing model.

[dmeyers]

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callmeox wrote:
The sky is falling.

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So look at all the threads on the subject now. If no one complains ATT steam rolls this big turd on the public. How many people out there possibly break their cap's without having any idea because they are not people who follow this kind of information. Easy pickins

Message Edited by caliuser on 11-07-2008 12:45 AM

[callmeox ACE - Professor]

From the media that I've read on this, any capped plans produce an informational note (and not a bill) the first time that you exceed the cap. You make it sound like AT&T is going to stealth bill customers and try to soak them if they eventually implement caps.

AFAIK, this is for DSL customers in one market. If it makes it to Uverse, then I'll worry.

Until then, the sky is falling.

[TimS_1]

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callmeox wrote:
From the media that I've read on this, any capped plans produce an informational note (and not a bill) the first time that you exceed the cap. You make it sound like AT&T is going to stealth bill customers and try to soak them if they eventually implement caps.

AFAIK, this is for DSL customers in one market. If it makes it to Uverse, then I'll worry.

Until then, the sky is falling.

---

No not yet but there is a new commit in the sky and the people in the know are hinting it’s going to hit. Hints are AT&T’s way of distributing information. Look at max18.

 

I believe there was a link to a U-verse sight with  Information  about the cap and a bandwidth meter posted some ware. http://broadband-usage.att.com/

Message Edited by TimS on 11-07-2008 03:19 PM

[Uturnaroun]

Well who would like to be the letter writer this time? Hogrunr is on a leave of absence. I don't think my writing skills are up to par for this situation.

Message Edited by Uturnaroun on 11-07-2008 07:29 PM

[rickz0rz]

I already sent an email through the U-verse site, and I'd recommend people do the same, in the mean time.

I'll probably write up a nice letter to the pres. when I have some time. 

Also, callmeox, the caps will apply to U-verse users too (since U-verse is DSL and all).  This is evidenced by the chart at&t produced:

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/More-Specifics-On-ATTs-Cap-Plans-98907

If you look at the very last one in that list, it mentions 10.0Mb/s internet that's on U-verse only, and assigns it a 150GB/mo cap.  So yes. U-verse users will be capped, and the cap is both upstream and downstream combined.

Message Edited by rickz0rz on 11-07-2008 07:54 PM