Just a quick note during my lunch hour...
Breaking News!
We've been Slashdotted!
I was wondering why our traffic was up so sharply. Thank goodness we're running this under blogspot otherwise we'd suffer the usual Slashdot effect. Google Rocks! (Yes, I know they aren't perfect but...). I also appreciate the high interest in the story. It's a problem that nobody in my neighborhood knew existed. My neighbors thought they still had "unlimited use for a flat monthly fee". At least that's what the advertisement said when we signed up.
My mail box is pulverized however. So many responses to read through. Please don't take it personally if I don't respond. Believe it or not, I do have my time away from the keyboard despite some opinions to the contrary :-)
Oh and it seems West Jordan will not be joining Utopia. Just received an email from our Mayor. I'm being told there are no plans as the City Council isn't convinced they should join. Citing iProvo's screw ups. Of course there are other cities doing well (Murry, Midvale, West Valley and so on). I'm curious, any ideas on what would convince a City Council we should investigate Fiber to the home?
Please post your thoughts. I'm curious what other's would do short of trying to replace them (It might come to that unfortunately). I really do believe a Fiber Infrastructure would have kept an abusive company such as Comcast from terminating people's account with next to no warning. A single phone call then your gone is poor customer service at best.
Newsflash to Comcast. There will always be a .001% top users list. There will never be a time where they no longer have a .001% top user list. Ever. If it's only .001% then why are there neighbors down the street terminated for heavy usage? One lady with 9 kids around the block received "The Call" and canceled on the spot. She didn't want to deal with the company after hearing of my experience the month before.
I have some new info that's come in about the $200 Billion American's have paid for Fiber to the home. I haven't reviewed it yet but if any of it's verifiable then I'll post it here in the next few days.
Thanks again for your interest and keep spreading the word! Several calls from reporters have come to me and other's unsolicited because of word of mouth!
Chow
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35 comments:
I just read about comcast and a few months ago i also recieved a letter saying i exceeded bandwidth. I sent approximately 60 gigs in about 2 weeks to a friend and shortly after recieved the letter that said i need to stop or switch to a commercial service. They did not tell me what the limit was either but i believe it to be about 25 gigs. If they have set me a bandwidth of 7G why not stick to it or not offer it at all if they won't let me take full advantage of what I pay for?
I just read your blog concerning the Comcast in your neighborhood. We recently had Fiberoptics come into ours and got rid of Comcast!!!! Comcast will be lucky if they don't lose an entire community to fiberoptics simply due to their poor customer service.
We are just grateful that there is finally a company to take the monopoly away from Comcast. Now that we have taken the plunge, several of our neighbors are joining us. We also have a community yahoo group and have sent out updates regarding FiOS to the rest of the neighborhood. There are others who were skeptical about changing simply because they didn't know enough about fiberoptics and are going to make the switch immediately. Others were unsure of what it would do to their phone service, etc.
Comcast's services have gone so far downhill yet, their prices increased that, when we heard fiber was coming to the area, we knew we wanted to make the transition. When my husband called Comcast just to inquire as to what would need to be done IF we wanted to change, all of a sudden, we lost service!
Needless to say, things went from bad to worse until we were finished getting on-line with the fiber. We have been very happy with it thus far.
I have read all you postings. I too am a West Jordan resident. Sorry to hear about UTOPIA's failure (so far) with West Jordan City. Would love to help out in that area. I have Comcast currently, I like the service but would hate to have to go through the 'crap' you went through. Totally agree with free enterprise and better internet connection to our homes. It is our future. Would be nice to say 'no more' to a poorly ran company like Comcast. It is America we live in and we should have voice and a choice.
Keep up the good work.
As a fellow Utahn, and on Utah's fiber optic network, let me say, fiber isn't a solution. Most of the providers on both Utopia and especially iProvo (Because there are only 2) have problems. Mstar, perhaps one of the most prominent (and most inclusive) ISPs on fiber here, has a dark secret or two. They won't cut off your internet but if you go over their secretive limit of 100Gb/month, they'll charge you a 'small' fee. Also, Mstar, for about a year, has used traffic shaping. Torrent and other P2P traffic is significantly throttled.
I was also terminated by Comcast in march. Received a "prank" phone call from them in Jan (they wouldn't say they were from comcast but some call service and would cancel me if I didn't pay more). Basically I told them to go forth and multiply or to properly notify me in writing. Of course nothing came. Then 2 months later just cut out of the blue no notification et al. Never was able to talk to anyone at the company as there apparently is no method to talk to a human in that department (per all the local & corporate #'s). I even tried calling through their corporate legal department no luck.
I use about 200GB/month and have had an account with them for ~5+years. I've always been on the high side of use, however they have sold it as 8Mb/s burst-able to 12Mb/s and "unlimited". with my usage statistics I averaged 1Mb/s a month.
Called the Mayor and federal reps but of course no luck in anything (didn't expect any but wanted to lodge the issue).
We really need some type of class action suite against them at least to force them to be up-front in their service.
Its not related to Comcast's internet, but their deceptive practices in general.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=18356&zoneid=77
Long story short, Comcast in our city, like many, requires a contract. Comcast violated our cities contract by removing channels promised in the contract, and not reducing the rate. In fact, the two channels specifically mentioned as still being available on the digital plan are not, which is extremely deceptive (in my opinion, at least).
We have a smaller competitor who is going to begin offering Internet, Cable, and Phone service in our area beginning in September of 2008. And I promise you I won't be a Comcast or AT&T customer once they're here.
It's just a matter of time till these small-time crimminals get whacked by the big-time ripoff artists.
Fiber is coming, get ready to pay more, but it WILL be worth it.
Copper is DEAD, it just hasn't rotted away yet.
Thanks for this blog! Comcast is apparently taking over the cable/internet provider in my area. Currently I'm with Insight and I've been generally happy with their TOS and service. I fear the day when Insight cedes the territory over to Comcast. It will be the day I switch to DSL.
Keep posting and bringing Comcast's unethical business practices to light.
No surprise about the Mayor & city council. They've been in bed with comcast since day 1. And if there isn't a photo-op involved, don't expect the Mayor to show up.
Who on the council is part of the contract we sign? Maybe we should pummel his office with complaints...
I felt some of that ripple too. Traffic yesterday was about 4-5x normal.
Congrats on the linkage!
I would like to point out that a secret DL limit is much more effective for Comcast than a published limit. Once a limit is published, some folks will expand their downloading to meet the limit. A secret limit keeps people guessing and keeps the usage down. People that know a limit exists may think, "Is this the DL that will get my service cancelled? I better not...".
Self monitoring is much more effective than setting rules. Just look at how web censorship works in China. The government won't say what is or is not acceptable. They just tell people not to publish anything on the web that is objectionable. China...Comcast; I think a see a parallel.
Being a comcast employee (I'm sure you all hate me already), I must say that I agree with almost everything stated here (Did you expect that?).
Just to provide a little more insight as to some specifics that I learned since I joined the company and possibly help you in your mission (I only work for comcast, dosen't mean I have to like them, I just like my work).
Comcast has a sorta... tiered service based upon several levels.
First level is Bronze, which is 4mbps down 384kbps up, then Silver, which is 6mbp down, and 384kbps up. After that is Speed Tier, which is 8mbps down 768kbps up. In some areas where FiOs is present, there is "Speed Tier Extreme", which is 16mps down 2mbps up.
However, those are just speed caps. The actual issue is the "Invisible" Bandwidth usage gap. Even within the company no one speaks of a stable number. However, from what I've deducted myself in trying to find this "magical number" (I pull roughly 140gb a week sometimes, even before I joined comcast, and still haven't been contacted surprisingly), I've learned that most of the calculation the "system" uses to learn of the alleged "abuse" is done based upon how many people are on the same node as you. This can range from only a few people, up to several hundred people. Obviously, since this is how they do this god forsaken calculation, the fewer people on your node means the less amount your allowed to do a month, whereas the more people on your node, the more you can do.
I wish I could give more information on the issue, but I myself am also questing for a "stable" number.
Lashek said...
Being a comcast employee (I'm sure you all hate me already), I must say that I agree with almost everything stated here (Did you expect that?).
Believe it or not, I don't hate Comcast employees. There are a few however who won't be on my Christmas list :-)
I am curious what you disagree with? I didn't see anything in your post alluding to what is not entirely accurate (That's twice a Comcast employee has mentioned it without disclosing the problem).
{snip}
Comcast has a sorta... tiered service based upon several levels.
First level is Bronze, which is 4mbps down 384kbps up, then Silver, which is 6mbp down, and 384kbps up. After that is Speed Tier, which is 8mbps down 768kbps up.
This is pretty much figured out :-)
In some areas where FiOs is present, there is "Speed Tier Extreme", which is 16mps down 2mbps up.
Ok, that I didn't know. I was under the impression Comcast tried replacing some of their segments with fiber and had problems.
However, those are just speed caps. The actual issue is the "Invisible" Bandwidth usage gap. Even within the company no one speaks of a stable number.
{snip}
I've learned that most of the calculation the "system" uses to learn of the alleged "abuse" is done based upon how many people are on the same node as you. This can range from only a few people, up to several hundred people.
Ok. That's consistent. I guessed this was the case since the numbers varied wildly from State to State and city to city with those who have been terminated. It boils down to whether the company invested in the region or not.
Obviously, since this is how they do this god forsaken calculation, the fewer people on your node means the less amount your allowed to do a month, whereas the more people on your node, the more you can do.
That's weird. You would think if there is capacity with less people on the segment you wouldn't mind people using more bandwidth. It wouldn't affect other's on the segment since there are soo few. Does that make sense?
I wish I could give more information on the issue, but I myself am also questing for a "stable" number.
You won't find it. I've put enough effort into investigating Comcast and have moved on (more or less). If you do then it's a recent policy.
Today I wrote and published "
Comcast Boots Users for Reaching Mystery Download Limit" on YNOT.com. Hope it helps get the word out.
I did not specify what I disagree with simple because as I have not read a lot of whats here. I only discovered this blog a few days ago, and from what I've read so far, I agree with it. However, I do know that this is a per-state situation with how comcast handles everything.
Comcast services are primarily controlled upon by "Franchise agreements", which is how each particular area demands of Comcast. Within some of these agreements, there is little tidbits relating to what Comcast can do in particular areas as far as services, as well as how the services can function.
If a particular area says Comcast can only allow users such and such amounts to be returned for service outtages, etc, Comcast must abide or be kicked out of that particular area.
At this moment in time, since we don't get direct access to the contents of the franchise agreements, I can't look into them to see if anything in regards to bandwidth is in there, however, I believe the bandwidth rule is just a general rule overall to save their own rears in all counties/states.
Another thing I have learned about from working with Comcast is a "VIP" group of customers, which contains a vast majority of government people as well as famous people (Cal Ripken has his own personal node even, and nodes can hold up to 2000 people). Now, I'm not entirely intelligent in regards to Comcast and what skeletons are still in the closet as I am still a semi-new employee, I've only been with them a few months. Even though that is the case, if I can share some information, I'd be more then happy to let others know what I've learned.
Unfortunately, in the Chicago area, the cable service is franchised. So, building competing services is very difficult. I've tried wireless, but trees are a big problem. Building fiber optics to the home would be ideal, but I fear too expensive to be feasible.
Lashek said...
I did not specify what I disagree with simple because as I have not read a lot of whats here. I only discovered this blog a few days ago, and from what I've read so far, I agree with it.
Ok. I figured I had to ask. I've had one other Comcast employee mention things here were not entirely accurate but of course "forgot" to say exactly what that would be. I had to ask.
{snip}
Comcast services are primarily controlled upon by "Franchise agreements", which is how each particular area demands of Comcast. Within some of these agreements, there is little tidbits relating to what Comcast can do in particular areas as far as services, as well as how the services can function.
I pretty much got that. I haven't been able to find much about them however. But I will.
If a particular area says Comcast can only allow users such and such amounts to be returned for service outtages, etc, Comcast must abide or be kicked out of that particular area.
I understand however other companies seem to have no problem making those promises and even if they have issues, they work with the customer to resolve issues. They handle problems a little differently.
At this moment in time, since we don't get direct access to the contents of the franchise agreements, I can't look into them to see if anything in regards to bandwidth is in there, however, I believe the bandwidth rule is just a general rule overall to save their own rears in all counties/states.
I'm sure that can be fixed. After all, Cox Communications had the same stance as Comcast.. until customers were pissed enough to force the issue.
Another thing I have learned about from working with Comcast is a "VIP" group of customers, which contains a vast majority of government people as well as famous people (Cal Ripken has his own personal node even, and nodes can hold up to 2000 people). Now, I'm not entirely intelligent in regards to Comcast and what skeletons are still in the closet as I am still a semi-new employee, I've only been with them a few months. Even though that is the case, if I can share some information, I'd be more then happy to let others know what I've learned.
I'm certainly interested however I must warn you that it must be publicly available knowledge and not insider information. I'm always looking for reference material to backup what is posted.
Comcast claimed that I used 450+ GB in June and 550+ GB in July so on August 18th I was booted from Comcast's internet service.
I was never given a warning letter however I was called and in a 10 second conversation told to cut down my usage with no quotes on how much usage I've been using up.
1800COMCAST (and 1-856-324-2025) will not help me out or review my case and told me I have to wait 12 months....they say this issue is not escalatible and no manager will help me out.
I definately did not use up this much bandwidth and comcast wont even review my case or even monitor my system. I am not wireless and there is no way someone could have hacked into my PC....but comcast doesn't care.
HELP! Anyone else deal with this and actually get somewhere with Comcast?
DSL is not available in my area and neither are any wireless ISPs. My only option now is Sprint Mobile broadband but it is expensive and wont work on my work laptop.
ilektron said...
As a fellow Utahn, and on Utah's fiber optic network, let me say, fiber isn't a solution. Most of the providers on both Utopia and especially iProvo (Because there are only 2) have problems. Mstar, perhaps one of the most prominent (and most inclusive) ISPs on fiber here, has a dark secret or two. They won't cut off your internet but if you go over their secretive limit of 100Gb/month, they'll charge you a 'small' fee. Also, Mstar, for about a year, has used traffic shaping. Torrent and other P2P traffic is significantly throttled.
P2P traffic would be an issue of the provider not Utopia. I would recommend speaking with them and asking if there was a problem with running those services.
Also, the 100 Gigs limit is part of the providers service. Again, not Utopia. Utopia provides only an infrastructure like public roads in which a company can provide you with service.
Whether you where using Utopia fiber, Qwest DSL or some other infrastructure, they don't really care what you do over the line. It's the provider you tie into that makes the rules :-)
Theresa said...
Today I wrote and published "
Comcast Boots Users for Reaching Mystery Download Limit" on YNOT.com. Hope it helps get the word out.
Awesome! I really appreciate your help in spreading the word!!!
This is a problem that is affecting many more people than I believe the company admits.
I've had a few articles sent to me about Internet bandwidth being the currency of the future. I'm still reading through the articles and will be posting them here soon. It's very interesting.
I thought we had the infrastructure to handle all our needs. Little did a realize we're far behind the world. Heck, in Europe and Japan, they are laughing at us. Can't say I blame them.
Thanks again!
mike said...
Unfortunately, in the Chicago area, the cable service is franchised. So, building competing services is very difficult. I've tried wireless, but trees are a big problem. Building fiber optics to the home would be ideal, but I fear too expensive to be feasible.
I'm curious. Has a feasibility study been completed for your area? If not then it would be cheap to determine if fiber is the way for your city.
After all, everything I've been reading lately suggests the world is running fiber everywhere. It's not terribly expensive (depending which you go with of course), and it's capacity is so far not limited to the speed of electricity. Must slower than those photons :-)
Anyway, we simply don't know how far we can push it. Copper otoh, I wouldn't expect a 100+ year technology to be with us forever. We would need to replace it sooner or later.
This is why all the chatter with optical computer chips rather than going with the traditional silicon. You can only push it soo far.
hentaiotaku2000 said...
I was also terminated by Comcast in march. Received a "prank" phone call from them in Jan (they wouldn't say they were from comcast but some call service and would cancel me if I didn't pay more).
Yeah, looking through my notes of December 2006, I made a note about how odd I thought it was they called my WIFE and not ME. I'm the techie in the house. It sounded like somebody was trying to get our information for id theft. The whole thing was very suspicious. Of course it didn't help with Comcast CSR's reinforcing that idea only to learn a month later it really was Comcast calling.
Basically I told them to go forth and multiply or to properly notify me in writing. Of course nothing came. Then 2 months later just cut out of the blue no notification et al. Never was able to talk to anyone at the company as there apparently is no method to talk to a human in that department (per all the local & corporate #'s). I even tried calling through their corporate legal department no luck.
They don't care. It's sad. I spent the first three weeks, every day, calling every one I could about the problem. I spoke with people I know who work for them. Spoke with managers and a couple VP's.
You will find no satisfaction after all your effort. Even their abuse department speaks like automatons when they finally return your call.
I use about 200GB/month and have had an account with them for ~5+years. I've always been on the high side of use, however they have sold it as 8Mb/s burst-able to 12Mb/s and "unlimited". with my usage statistics I averaged 1Mb/s a month.
That's the weird thing. They sell you a product which is a 6/8/12 meg pipe. They tell you how fast you can download compared to other services, they don't tell you "btw, use it and lose it for a year". So what did you really purchase? a 6/8/12 meg pipe? or a specific bandwidth limit you are allowed to consume?
Most companies would simply be happy to charge you for using more of their services (water, waste disposal and so on). Could be a great opportunity to bring in more revenue. But they are already making record breaking profits.
Called the Mayor and federal reps but of course no luck in anything (didn't expect any but wanted to lodge the issue).
We really need some type of class action suite against them at least to force them to be up-front in their service.
If you hear of anything let us know. I've been approached by two lawyers already however I don't believe it makes sense for us to do this. Demanding competition and better services. Now that's the way to force a company gone insane to reflect and change or go out of business. A free market wouldn't stand for this sort of thing.
But of course with their monopoly, it's not free.
Well I received the fated call from Comcast today telling me of my high usage and that I would also be disconnected from the service if I did not cut down on the usage. Everything they told me follows exactly what is written in the posts. They have no idea what the cap is, but I need to cut down. This is the silliest thing. I have already started looking for another provider, because I have a feeling they will just cut me right off in the middle of the night. My download quote, according to them was somewhere around 450 gigs. Sure, I download a lot, but that is an awful lot. I am even considering dropping them as my cable provider and switching to direct tv. What a day!
Well I received the fated call from Comcast today telling me of my high usage and that I would also be disconnected from the service if I did not cut down on the usage. Everything they told me follows exactly what is written in the posts. They have no idea what the cap is, but I need to cut down. This is the silliest thing. I have already started looking for another provider, because I have a feeling they will just cut me right off in the middle of the night. My download quote, according to them was somewhere around 450 gigs. Sure, I download a lot, but that is an awful lot. I am even considering dropping them as my cable provider and switching to direct tv. What a day!
I was contacted today by Comcast Security Office that gave me a case ID number. If I will not decrease my bandwidth my internet will be disconnected for 12 month.
No numbers were given whatsoever. They also tried to charge me for downgrading my service.
I have to find a competitor.
The Washington Post published an article in today's paper (September 7, 2007) about Comcast's super-secret limits:
Shutting Down Big Downloaders
by Kim Hart
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090602545.html
They mention this blog in the article, but they don't give the url.
InsideBayArea.com also published an article (September 8, 2007) with a reference to you Frank:
Comcast gets tough
Heavy broadband users cut off in punishment
By Barbara E. Hernandez, BUSINESS WRITER
http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_6837475
They didn't mention your blog. You're becoming quite famous!
I just received the dreaded phone call from Comcast, telling that I used 428 GB. I don't have anything that would use that much bandwidth, Vonage, Second Life maybe?
I live in Suburban Chicago. Comcast is my only option (AT&T won't cross the street for DSL)
Here's my story I posted on my blog
I read about your blog on heise news (heise.de, I'm from germany).
Just wanted to say I am shocked by the way comcast treats its customers, I thought US was so service friendly compared to here.
I was planning to change from my current unlimited ADSL2+ to Cable, but I am rethinking this now as I fear that cable providers always have a potential to develop a bottlenecked node. I currently have unlimited ADSL2+, both speed and traffic wise, the speed is only limited by the distance to the DSLAM and interference from AM radio, so i get between 8MBit to 12Mbit down and 800kbit up. Cable (Kabel Deutschland) offers 26Mbit/2Mbit very soon, for only 5€ more (I now pay 45€ which includes an ISDN phone which i don't use, it's not even connected). Contrary to what user Andre posted here a few pages back, most HSISPs don't enforce any limit here. From 2001 to 2004 i had a severe case of leech addiction, averaging at 600-800GB/month basically using the line (which was slower then) maxed out 24/7 and I never heard a word from them. There are only two german ISPs that used to kick BWhogs, Strato and 1&1 Internet, one of them at least gave you 100€ refund when they kicked you. Now there is FAR too much competition here, i could choose between at least 10 different ADSL2+ ISPs, and thats in a small countryside village. If i were around 500m closer to their DSLAM i could even get VDSL with 25Mbit which will soon be upgraded to 50MBit, if i wouldn't own the place here i would move for that speed without thinking twice about it. Now after kicking my leech habit, i use 50-150GB/Month, it varies a lot, i use it for video streaming (Gametrailers, Google Video, Youtube, YouBoob :), News, etc pp), XBox Live, Playstation Network, Tons of Linux, Solaris and other ISOs, just whatever i want, in Januar i changed from T-Online (same company as your T-Mobile, they are for the moment also the only one offering VDSL for which i am 500m too far away) to a small regional ISP because they have it written in their terms that their service is limited in no way and also because T-Online is a bit unflexible regarding Speed, they say we give you 4MBit but no more, but we guarantee them (That is the DSL sync speed, not the TCP/IP speed) while my current provider just says we guarantee nothing but we also limit nothing, meaning if you have a DSL Modem/Router that does ADSL2+ SRA (Seamless Rate Adaption) you will get whatever the line handles (They also offer fixed 2,4,6 Mbit).
This does of course not mean you're screwed if you get bad speed. In February my speed one day dropped to 1Mbit and less so I called and they replaced a DSLAM module and within an hour all was back to normal.
Anyway I wish you all the best for your fight with comcast, companies like this must get their butt kicked, and your stone really caused some ripples in the pond if i even read about it on heise news in germany.
All the Best
Boris
Welcome in good old europe, in the germany one of the biggest news-site (http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/95705/from/atom10) has an article about you and your story (problem).
We got this problem with dsl-ISPs, but after a big demonstration, they are quiet.
Good luck for you and your sufferer.
interesting how everyone who's being cut off (or was cut off) had bandwidth limits quoted in the 400-500 range. I myself was quoted in the mid 400's.
I'm wondering if there is something too this? Maybe the comcast people are instructed to tell "heavy users" a number in this range?
Personally I think it's an excuse to boot people off but maybe comcast is making a slight mistake..most people who have high speed internet also have cable and cable with comcast isnt cheap.
If I cancelled my entire service it would cost them 172.00 a month! for cable and internet since I have all the channels. I could save 70.00 by going with directv and dsl but the dsl is way slower.
JTRockville said...
InsideBayArea.com also published an article (September 8, 2007) with a reference to you Frank:
Comcast gets tough
Heavy broadband users cut off in punishment
By Barbara E. Hernandez, BUSINESS WRITER
http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_6837475
Thanks for the link. I really appreciate it.
They didn't mention your blog. You're becoming quite famous!
I've been very surprised by peoples reaction. Even more by the interest this has caused across the Internet. I just hope it helps bring these issues to light. Perhaps we should have a National Infrastructure as Clinton/Gore suggested. After all, other countries are doing it. And leaving us in their dust.
JrocksIllini said...
Comcast claimed that I used 450+ GB in June and 550+ GB in July so on August 18th I was booted from Comcast's internet service.
{snip}
1800COMCAST (and 1-856-324-2025) will not help me out or review my case and told me I have to wait 12 months....they say this issue is not escalatible and no manager will help me out.
I'm sorry to hear of this. Typical response from the company.
I definately did not use up this much bandwidth and comcast wont even review my case or even monitor my system. I am not wireless and there is no way someone could have hacked into my PC....but comcast doesn't care.
That was my experience as well as many other's. Personally I feel it's suspicious how they have handled these cases. I have my own theories why they are doing this. It would be interesting to know if I'm close.
HELP! Anyone else deal with this and actually get somewhere with Comcast?
DSL is not available in my area and neither are any wireless ISPs. My only option now is Sprint Mobile broadband but it is expensive and wont work on my work laptop.
I wish I could give you some idea what to do. So far I know of only one person to get satisfaction. They had VOIP and called the PUC when Comcast terminated their Internet. I'm told it was back on within the hour. They didn't want the liability from killing her 911 service.
This is exactly why I'm making a big deal about a National Infrastructure. Utopia is just one of many projects in the US. Everyone needs to push this hard with our Government.
Either the Internet is important or we should give up and stop using it.
u235sentinel said...
P2P traffic would be an issue of the provider not Utopia. I would recommend speaking with them and asking if there was a problem with running those services.
Also, the 100 Gigs limit is part of the providers service. Again, not Utopia. Utopia provides only an infrastructure like public roads in which a company can provide you with service.
Whether you where using Utopia fiber, Qwest DSL or some other infrastructure, they don't really care what you do over the line. It's the provider you tie into that makes the rules :-)
You kindof missed my point. And no, providers and infrastructure are not independent. iProvo is unique because they have restrictions on who they let be providers. I think Utopia does as well. But that is besides the point. The point that I was making was that if you choose fiber, you have to choose a provider that can do the fiber. In my case, I had 2 options for providers. So, no matter what, if you choose fiber, you are stuck to the providers available. So no. Fiber is not the solution. The solution is working on the providers. That was my point.
In other news, after repeated emails with no response, it seems that my torrents are going at a normal speed now (1000kBs+). Maybe Mstar changed their policies. Anybody know anything about it?
ilektron said...
{snip}
You kindof missed my point. And no, providers and infrastructure are not independent.
Actually I agree and disagree with you there. Infrastructure like DSL isn't something my ISP controls. It's Qwests lines and they manage it. That's how Utopia is built. They operate like any other PUC. They maintain the lines and companies like Comcast or Qwest (or whomever) can sign up and provide service over it. I believe they have 5 or 6 ISP's currently offering services over Utopia's Infrastructure.
iProvo is unique because they have restrictions on who they let be providers. I think Utopia does as well.
I asked about this and was told anyone including Comcast can join. Thus far they have not accepted the offer. And why should they. They have a monopoly. It's not good for business :D
But that is besides the point. The point that I was making was that if you choose fiber, you have to choose a provider that can do the fiber. In my case, I had 2 options for providers. So, no matter what, if you choose fiber, you are stuck to the providers available. So no. Fiber is not the solution. The solution is working on the providers. That was my point.
Ummm... so because you have two providers over Fiber you think it's better being stuck with one? Did I understand that right?
FYI.. Utopia has multiple providers for Internet service. Oh and more can join if they wanted to provide service over their lines. It's just like a PUC man :D
In other news, after repeated emails with no response, it seems that my torrents are going at a normal speed now (1000kBs+). Maybe Mstar changed their policies. Anybody know anything about it?
I'm not familiar with Mstar however I would be interested in hearing more about it. You are the first I've heard of this problem. In other news... I'm hearing class action lawsuits with Comcast and torrents. I'm willing to bet this is why many in my neighborhood and the Salt Lake Valley have been terminated.
Just a wild guess after watching this :D
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