Comcast cuts off internet service for high bandwidth users

[n2doc]

Shutting Down Big Downloaders
Comcast Cuts Internet Service to Bandwidth Hogs
By Kim Hart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 7, 2007; Page A01


The rapid growth of online videos, music and games has created a new Internet sin: using it too much.

Comcast has punished some transgressors by cutting off their Internet service, arguing that excessive downloaders hog Internet capacity and slow down the network for other customers. The company declines to reveal its download limits.

"You have no way of knowing how much is too much," said Sandra Spalletta of Rockville, whose Internet service was suspended in March after Comcast sent her a letter warning that she and her teenage son were using too much bandwidth. They cut back on downloads but were still disconnected. She said the company would not tell her how to monitor their bandwidth use in order to comply with the limits.

"You want to think you can rely on your home Internet service and not wake up one morning to find it turned off," said Spalletta, who filed a complaint with the Montgomery County Office of Cable and Communication Services. "I thought it was unlimited service."

more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090602545.html

[qanda]

1. They should get Verizon FIOS

I love it and I believe it's available in Montgomery County.

[tsuki]

2. Direcway now Hughes started this. 200 megs a day and they cut

you off. You can buy upgrade equipment and pay more for more megs, but DSL became available and we canned them.

[flashl]

3. In some areas of the country this have been the norm about 2 yrs

Serving mutltiple internet users is like the airlines over booking, its about who got there first.