coUnix

What is my ISP doing?

We have all heard of various ISP’s capping bandwidth usage, but most of them have been rather large (Comcast, Time Warner). I never assumed that my local cable company would implement bandwidth caps. But starting in July, Bend Broadband (BBB) will be Doubling speeds… but at the same times putting caps in place, rather small ones at that. The “overage” charge is set at $1.50/Gb.

The internet is used more every day by people that are discovering the tools and sites out there. How can they expect to drive internet adoption by turning it into a pay-per-byte action. They say that a majority of their users use less than 10Gb/Month. When I think of someone that uses less than 10Gb I assume that its very easy for that person to go over 10Gb, what if they start a netflix subscription, or their kids get an xbox 360 or ps3. BBB is pushing away a core set of customers, including me, that have been rather happy and willing to suggest their service to clients, friends and family. But I cant do that now, knowing that each of those people will risks having wildly varying bills each month just for using the internet more.

There is a pretty good conversation about this over at UtterlyBoring.com check is out: http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2008/03/21/bendbroadband_i.php

As of today I am scheduled for another local ISP to be out here on the 14th, to hook me up. At which point I will no longer be a BBB internet subscriber.