AT&T Soon to cap DSL

Larry_OHF · 03-15-2011, 04:34 PM

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/...-cap/?hpt=Sbin

I am an unwilling customer due to where I currently live but at least we're renting and will be moving hopefully within a few months.
I'll make sure to investigate the internet options before moving again. I've not liked AT&T from the beginning, and this is another reason.

SpiritWarrior · 03-15-2011, 05:31 PM

I am with AT&T also, and I am on their fastest tier possible. But this is horrible, backward-thinking, and an obvious ploy to get more cash out of customers in slow economic times. Reminds me of the whole overdraft scam invented by banks (thank god that is practically a thing of the past).

I remember a post about this possibly happening a few months back - maybe it was you who made it. From what I am seeing, they will alienate alot more customers than they think or claim.

Regular play of WoW (or any MMO) along with regular usage of Netflix (even heavy Youtube usage) alone could cap you.

Or let's say you video-blogged and used your Droid or iPhone to upload your HD Vlogs. You would hit the cap quite quickly. And there are thousands of people who have the time to video blog daily for their subscribers. They better move onto another ISP.

I cannot imagine having to watch what I download, or what video I view because I am "close to my cap". For example, recently I had to reinstall WoW and since I don't have my CD's anymore but they have all my details, I can download it from their site as a convenience and leave the launcher in the tray. But I am downloading 4 games in essence (original wow + 3 expansions) not to mention patches since the dawn of time. Could you imagine being scared to download it because you might get charged? Or having to say "I must wait until next month, then I can use the internet I pay for to play the game that I bought and paid for" or "We can't use Netflix until next month even though Netflix is unlimited because I pay for it". I can't.

It's like back in the 90's when dial-up was pay per minute.

SpiritWarrior · 03-15-2011, 05:35 PM

I am just reading that every other major ISP is expected to follow suit after this. But then, I guess they are waiting to see the reaction this has?

Some are saying that by 2012, unlimted internet access will be a thing of the past. Those Mayan's were right.

Larry_OHF · 03-15-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior

I remember a post about this possibly happening a few months back - maybe it was you who made it. From what I am seeing, they will alienate alot more customers than they think or claim.

Yes, a bit more than a year ago I mentioned that Time Warner Cable was about to test run a fee-based system but that got shot down with some quickly-deployed protests and negative media coverage. They'll try again if their competitors are able to get away with it.

SpiritWarrior · 03-15-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry_OHF

Yes, a bit more than a year ago I mentioned that Time Warner Cable was about to test run a fee-based system but that got shot down with some quickly-deployed protests and negative media coverage. They'll try again if their competitors are able to get away with it.

Yes. Apparently, Comcast got away with it a few months back. Just found that out today whilst getting the word on AT&T.

03-15-2011, 04:34 PM	#1
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 49 Posts: 14,759	AT&T Soon to cap DSL http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/...-cap/?hpt=Sbin I am an unwilling customer due to where I currently live but at least we're renting and will be moving hopefully within a few months. I'll make sure to investigate the internet options before moving again. I've not liked AT&T from the beginning, and this is another reason. __________________

03-15-2011, 05:31 PM	#2
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	Re: AT&T Soon to cap DSL I am with AT&T also, and I am on their fastest tier possible. But this is horrible, backward-thinking, and an obvious ploy to get more cash out of customers in slow economic times. Reminds me of the whole overdraft scam invented by banks (thank god that is practically a thing of the past). I remember a post about this possibly happening a few months back - maybe it was you who made it. From what I am seeing, they will alienate alot more customers than they think or claim. Regular play of WoW (or any MMO) along with regular usage of Netflix (even heavy Youtube usage) alone could cap you. Or let's say you video-blogged and used your Droid or iPhone to upload your HD Vlogs. You would hit the cap quite quickly. And there are thousands of people who have the time to video blog daily for their subscribers. They better move onto another ISP. I cannot imagine having to watch what I download, or what video I view because I am "close to my cap". For example, recently I had to reinstall WoW and since I don't have my CD's anymore but they have all my details, I can download it from their site as a convenience and leave the launcher in the tray. But I am downloading 4 games in essence (original wow + 3 expansions) not to mention patches since the dawn of time. Could you imagine being scared to download it because you might get charged? Or having to say "I must wait until next month, then I can use the internet I pay for to play the game that I bought and paid for" or "We can't use Netflix until next month even though Netflix is unlimited because I pay for it". I can't. It's like back in the 90's when dial-up was pay per minute. __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

03-15-2011, 05:35 PM	#3
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	Re: AT&T Soon to cap DSL I am just reading that every other major ISP is expected to follow suit after this. But then, I guess they are waiting to see the reaction this has? Some are saying that by 2012, unlimted internet access will be a thing of the past. Those Mayan's were right. __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)