Comcast/Xfinity Enforcing Data Caps Now Brehs :mjcry:
- Thread starter JordanWearinThe45
- Start date
The War Report
NewNewYork
Dillah810
Flat Girther
Comcast’s data caps aren’t just bad for subscribers, they’re bad for us all
In less than two weeks, Comcast will roll out its home broadband data cap program in eight additional cities, bringing its total up to 27 different markets across the United States. Under the terms of the program, Xfinity broadband subscribers may use up to 300GB of data per billing period. If they use more data for any reason, Comcast will charge an additional $10 for each 50GB used until the next billing cycle begins.
For Comcast customers, this is obviously bad news. People in the U.S. are used to treading lightly with wireless data, aggravating though it may be, but home broadband services have historically offered unlimited data. Now, Comcast subscribers in 27 markets will have the same thoughts creep into the back of their minds each time they sit down to use a service like YouTube or Netflix: How much data does this use, and am I close to my cap?
But Comcast’s data cap program isn’t just bad news for the company’s own subscribers, it’s bad news for all of us.
First, let’s restate the most important thing to note about Comcast’s data cap program: it’s all about money. Whereas wireless carriers claim to have implemented data caps in order to prevent congestion and maintain high service quality for all customers, Comcast makes no such claims. In fact, a leaked support documentrecently showed that Comcast has instructed its staff to openly admit that the company’s 300GB cap has nothing to do with network congestion.
Here’s a screenshot of that document (note the last three lines):
Instead, Comcast’s data cap program — which it ridiculously calls a “Data Usage Plan” — is purely a money grab. In fact, Comcast is perfectly happy to remove data caps from customers’ accounts if they’re willing to cough up an extra $35 per month on top of their already-pricey Internet subscriptions.
This could be the most brazen thing Comcast has ever done, and that’s really saying something.
Here’s the thing: as someone who isn’t a Comcast subscriber, it’s easy to furl your lip each time you read about Comcast caps and then go on about your business. After all, you’re not impacted by this move because you have some other ISP that offers unlimited home broadband data, right?
Wrong.
Comcast is a business, first and foremost. It has been making that abundantly clear for years. Well guess what: every other ISP in the country is a business first and foremost as well. Home broadband penetration is very high right now; over 80% of U.S. households have home broadband subscriptions. If ISPs hope to continue growing their sales and profits moving forward — and as public companies, that is obviously their hope — they need to find new ways to boost revenue.
Compounding matters is the fact that cord cutting is becoming an increasingly popular trend, so companies like Comcast are losing revenue they had previously enjoyed from television subscriptions. And what inevitably happens when a customer cuts his or her cable TV service? Data usage goes up because streaming video increases from services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and YouTube.
It’s a difficult problem indeed, but data caps are a very troubling solution for consumers. If Comcast is permitted to cap subscribers’ data, its ilk will follow suit. It’s not a question of if, but rather when. Just as we’ve seen in the wireless market where unlimited data is now ostensibly a relic of the past, unlimited home broadband data will effectively disappear. Sure, you’ll be able to keep unlimited data if you’re willing to pay, but you can expect the cost of your unlimited data plan to increase regularly every few years.
Also of note, there are negative implications that extend beyond the increased expense for American households. Usage caps on home internet service will also inevitably stifle progress and innovation. It’s impossible to avoid. If home broadband data becomes something consumers must constantly monitor and use sparingly lest they pay penalties, new and exciting products that use large amounts of data might never come to be. Can you imagine how difficult it would have been for companies like Netflix and YouTube to raise capital if capped broadband data plans had existed when they were founded?
This problem is real and it’s quite serious. It affects us all, not just Comcast subscribers. The Federal Communications Commission surprised the American public when it put consumer-friendly net neutrality rules in place, but that doesn’t mean its work is done and lawmakers get a free pass now.
The FCC has an Internet complaint page — I suggest we all start to use it more actively.
Comcast's data caps aren't just bad for subscribers, they're bad for us all
In less than two weeks, Comcast will roll out its home broadband data cap program in eight additional cities, bringing its total up to 27 different markets across the United States. Under the terms of the program, Xfinity broadband subscribers may use up to 300GB of data per billing period. If they use more data for any reason, Comcast will charge an additional $10 for each 50GB used until the next billing cycle begins.
For Comcast customers, this is obviously bad news. People in the U.S. are used to treading lightly with wireless data, aggravating though it may be, but home broadband services have historically offered unlimited data. Now, Comcast subscribers in 27 markets will have the same thoughts creep into the back of their minds each time they sit down to use a service like YouTube or Netflix: How much data does this use, and am I close to my cap?
But Comcast’s data cap program isn’t just bad news for the company’s own subscribers, it’s bad news for all of us.
First, let’s restate the most important thing to note about Comcast’s data cap program: it’s all about money. Whereas wireless carriers claim to have implemented data caps in order to prevent congestion and maintain high service quality for all customers, Comcast makes no such claims. In fact, a leaked support documentrecently showed that Comcast has instructed its staff to openly admit that the company’s 300GB cap has nothing to do with network congestion.
Here’s a screenshot of that document (note the last three lines):
Instead, Comcast’s data cap program — which it ridiculously calls a “Data Usage Plan” — is purely a money grab. In fact, Comcast is perfectly happy to remove data caps from customers’ accounts if they’re willing to cough up an extra $35 per month on top of their already-pricey Internet subscriptions.
This could be the most brazen thing Comcast has ever done, and that’s really saying something.
Here’s the thing: as someone who isn’t a Comcast subscriber, it’s easy to furl your lip each time you read about Comcast caps and then go on about your business. After all, you’re not impacted by this move because you have some other ISP that offers unlimited home broadband data, right?
Wrong.
Comcast is a business, first and foremost. It has been making that abundantly clear for years. Well guess what: every other ISP in the country is a business first and foremost as well. Home broadband penetration is very high right now; over 80% of U.S. households have home broadband subscriptions. If ISPs hope to continue growing their sales and profits moving forward — and as public companies, that is obviously their hope — they need to find new ways to boost revenue.
Compounding matters is the fact that cord cutting is becoming an increasingly popular trend, so companies like Comcast are losing revenue they had previously enjoyed from television subscriptions. And what inevitably happens when a customer cuts his or her cable TV service? Data usage goes up because streaming video increases from services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and YouTube.
It’s a difficult problem indeed, but data caps are a very troubling solution for consumers. If Comcast is permitted to cap subscribers’ data, its ilk will follow suit. It’s not a question of if, but rather when. Just as we’ve seen in the wireless market where unlimited data is now ostensibly a relic of the past, unlimited home broadband data will effectively disappear. Sure, you’ll be able to keep unlimited data if you’re willing to pay, but you can expect the cost of your unlimited data plan to increase regularly every few years.
Also of note, there are negative implications that extend beyond the increased expense for American households. Usage caps on home internet service will also inevitably stifle progress and innovation. It’s impossible to avoid. If home broadband data becomes something consumers must constantly monitor and use sparingly lest they pay penalties, new and exciting products that use large amounts of data might never come to be. Can you imagine how difficult it would have been for companies like Netflix and YouTube to raise capital if capped broadband data plans had existed when they were founded?
This problem is real and it’s quite serious. It affects us all, not just Comcast subscribers. The Federal Communications Commission surprised the American public when it put consumer-friendly net neutrality rules in place, but that doesn’t mean its work is done and lawmakers get a free pass now.
The FCC has an Internet complaint page — I suggest we all start to use it more actively.
Comcast's data caps aren't just bad for subscribers, they're bad for us all
Disclosure
Pro
the usage meter they have that you can download doesnt even work
El negrito de tejas
Fukk the govt I got my own Deficit
Im pissed I even have to deal with them out here in houston.
The only options I have are AT&T or Comcast
AT&T doesnt even have internet service thats even close to the speeds comcast is putting out.
So.... comcast is the only option
The only options I have are AT&T or Comcast
AT&T doesnt even have internet service thats even close to the speeds comcast is putting out.
So.... comcast is the only option
Comcast giving most of us our data back next week to a 1TB except Maine, Central Kentucky, and Tuscan,Az
A Terabyte Internet Experience
@JordanWearinThe45
A Terabyte Internet Experience
@JordanWearinThe45
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feeling that heat from Google fiber and probably FCC complaints from customers
Got it on my calendar already to cancel this $30 unlimited shyt breh lol. Good lookin. Checked my usage earlier today and I'm at 500gb, so I'll have more than enough to not go over
Unless you live in Maine, Central Kentucky, and Tuscan,AZ.Got it on my calendar already to cancel this $30 unlimited shyt breh lol. Good lookin. Checked my usage earlier today and I'm at 500gb, so I'll have more than enough to not go over
Dillah810
Flat Girther
They increased ours in Metro Atlanta last month
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
hold up?? they been enforcing y'all limits?? 
i've had comcast for 3 years now... and i'm a SEVERAL GIG download a day type of nikka... i pays for NOTHING
i'm talking every show i watch on tv, in full hd.... every album that drops... mixtapes.... songs.... every single movie... mainstream, 3d, porn and classic... not to mention whatever my brother doing on his computer.... not to mention all the streaming on netflix and hulu and plex
i'm pretty sure i'm doing over 1 tb a month easy and they haven't sent so much as a notice....
i can see where they say what my limit is... but there's also a disclaimer saying they aren't enforcing it
i've had comcast for 3 years now... and i'm a SEVERAL GIG download a day type of nikka... i pays for NOTHING
i'm talking every show i watch on tv, in full hd.... every album that drops... mixtapes.... songs.... every single movie... mainstream, 3d, porn and classic... not to mention whatever my brother doing on his computer.... not to mention all the streaming on netflix and hulu and plex
i'm pretty sure i'm doing over 1 tb a month easy and they haven't sent so much as a notice....
i can see where they say what my limit is... but there's also a disclaimer saying they aren't enforcing it
I have illegal internet so i wont be greedy 
Dillah810
Flat Girther
They only enforce it if you live in the trial area.hold up?? they been enforcing y'all limits??
i've had comcast for 3 years now... and i'm a SEVERAL GIG download a day type of nikka... i pays for NOTHING
i'm talking every show i watch on tv, in full hd.... every album that drops... mixtapes.... songs.... every single movie... mainstream, 3d, porn and classic... not to mention whatever my brother doing on his computer.... not to mention all the streaming on netflix and hulu and plex
i'm pretty sure i'm doing over 1 tb a month easy and they haven't sent so much as a notice....
i can see where they say what my limit is... but there's also a disclaimer saying they aren't enforcing it
The Devil's Advocate
Call me Dad
they are my only option.... i'd kill myself trying to get keep it under that... they'd definitely end up getting my money cause i'd be switching cable back on the same day they enforced it