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Comcast Launches Broadband Meter

Posted by kdawson on from the cap-and-do-not-trade dept.

nlawalker writes "Beginning on Tuesday, January 12, Comcast high-speed internet users in Washington state will have access to an online tool that displays their bandwidth usage for the most recent three calendar (not billing) months of usage, including the current month. Washington is the second market to receive access to the tool, following its introduction in Portland. 'For the fraction of less than 1 percent of our customers who are concerned about exceeding our excessive use threshold, we believe this meter will help them monitor and calibrate their usage,' said spokesman Steve Kipp. Perhaps those who aren't using 250GB a month should take it as a challenge."

3 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Someone's not doing their share! by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Perhaps those who aren't using 250GB a month should take it as a challenge.

    Perhaps those who aren't using 250GB a month should start sharing more porn! Darn leechers!

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    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    1. Re:Someone's not doing their share! by uvajed_ekil · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Perhaps those who aren't using 250GB a month should start sharing more porn! Darn leechers!

      Perhaps those who aren't using anywhere near 250GB a month should start paying less.

      If the price is a flat $45 (or whatever) for unlimited use, that is fine. But if they can quantify usage and affix a more specific pricing scheme to it over and above 250GB of usage, then they can due the same but in reverse for usage under 250GB a month. But they won't. This isn't about fairness or network congestion, it is about making as much money as possible, nothing more.
      Opinion of Comcast and Time Warner: "Some folks download a lot and will continue to do so, so let's wring every last penny from them!!! What are they gonna do, get some crappy DSL connection? Haha, let's see them get comparable download speeds. Some of them can't get DSL at all. Screw 'em, it isn't like we have competition. Oh, and we should probably raise TV rates again, just for the hell of it (but no reason to improve service). Thank you, local monopolies!"

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  2. Re:Whats the big deal? by assemblyronin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    On the Technical side, this isn't any major feat. You're correct.

    However, this is a tool that they'll start using to socially condition people into tiered plans. Imagine an ad from comcast in the near future, "Be Green! Lower your monthly usage! To find out how, check our Tips and Tricks section, and track your online usage using our 'IntelliGreen Online Usage Tracker'*"

    *use of the IntelliGreen Online Usage Tracker will count toward your monthly usage cap at 1/2 the byte rate because it's Green!