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Comcast To Charge $30 For Unlimited Data Over 300GB Cap

Posted by Soulskill on from the all-about-the-benjamins dept.

For some time, Comcast has been testing 300 GB monthly data caps in certain markets. An anonymous reader notes a policy change unveiled today that gives customers in those markets the ability to switch back to unlimited data for $30 extra. Previously (and currently, for customers who don't pay the extra $30), Comcast would charge $10 per 50GB above the cap. "Comcast's intent on this front has been clear for some time. Comcast lobbyist and VP David Cohen last year strongly suggested that usage caps would be arriving for all Comcast customers sooner or later. The idea of charging users a premium to avoid arbitrary usage restrictions has been a pipe dream of incumbent ISP executives for a decade." The new policy goes into effect on October 1.

4 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. Limited unlimited by dshk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That is no problem, but they must not be allowed to advertise it as an unlimited plan. It also indicates that the government must work on strengthening free competition.

  2. They almost got it right by mattventura · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The non-dick solution would to just be to keep the old system but cap the overage charges at $30, so you can get unlimited for $30/month without having to guess how much bandwidth you're going to use up to a month in advance.

  3. Comcast giveth and I taketh away by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Every time Comcast increases my bill, I drop a feature that costs the same amount. They're getting perilously close to the point where that feature will be "TV".

    An open message to Comcast execs: be absolutely sure you're ready to make customers decide between your content and Netflix. I bet you'd be surprised how often the response won't be what you'd hope.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  4. Not everyone lives alone by tepples · · Score: 5, Insightful

    at that rate, you could watch HD content for 222 hours straight (9.25 days) before you'd hit your 300GB cap

    Divide by the number of people in the house who watch Netflix. And subtract all other uses of the connection, such as operating system and application updates on all devices in the household, downloads of purchased video games, web surfing, YouTube, and video chat with relatives in another state.