AT&T says it has good reasons to introduce broadband caps and a plan to do it the right way: just 2% of its customers use 20% of its network capacity, while a new track-your-usage metering website will let users view current and historical broadband usage. Yet despite that justification and moves toward transparency, the caps have not surprisingly generated controversy. On various blog and media posts, customers are voicing discontent, pointing to the fact AT&T’s DSL business is profitable and citing the size of the caps as compared to those of competitors.But the biggest question seems to be one of accuracy of the “metering,” with some customers claiming they are getting wildly inaccurate estimates—with one user claiming the carrier’s Internet usage tracking is off by as much as 4,700% on her account. Whether under-reporting or over-reporting, customers are using firewalls and various tools to check AT&T’s findings regarding their usage.
When I reached out to AT&T, its media spokespeople responded “We’re addressing ways we can make the labels and information on the online metering tool more clear for customers between now and May (when the new policy goes into effect). I can also assure you our team is performing checks everyday to ensure accuracy. That said, we believe we have an accurate tool.”
AT&T sources cite software as the culprit for the discrepancies about which customers are complaining: “Other tools may measure at different 24-hour periods than we do, and most likely do not take into account the standard network protocols (e.g. Ethernet, IP) that are used to provide applications and content to our customers via the Internet. As you know, this is fairly standard to incorporate when measuring broadband traffic and is applied by other ISPs who measure usage.”
AT&T claims it has factored standard protocols into its allowance settings and into its trials. “In the end, AT&T expects the caps to impact only the aforementioned 2% [that comprise its heaviest users].” The company has offered to “work one-on-one” with any individuals doubtful or confused about the measurement tool’s accuracy.
Anyone who has an opinion on this, or information about the software and tools out for use as a “checks and balances” on carriers’ metering capabilities, feel free to write in.
Best solution – DUMP AT&T. Don’t come back till they dump their metered/measured plans. Same thing for AT&T Wireless. Wake them up and TYBE (Take your business elsewhere). If everyone does it you will be amazed at how fast they change their tune.
Been thinking about disconnecting AT&T for awhile, this is the perfect reason for me to do it, customers who have a choice in their area of ISPs should also disconnect, this is very bad on a large scale, the introduction of caps is not the way forward.
Disconnecting not only internet but mobile/tv services aswell because of this, they won’t be getting a dime of my money for any of their inferior services, switching to cable.
Well aren’t we TYPICAL- constantly striving for the \"I want it all, and I want it right now… and Oh, I don’t want to pay for it\" mentality. Unlimited everything is a dream… a thing of the past. Metered or tiered pricing is the future. Take the \"all you can eat\" buffets, 10 years ago you could walk into one of those troughs and eat all your already embellished waistline could hold for $5.99. Fast forward to the present and you do the same- you walk out of there spending at least 15 bucks for the same food induced coma. WAKE UP and smell reality, unlimited is BAD for business. I\’m sure you people also expect to see your utility companies offer unlimited electricity and water for \"one flat monthly fee\" NO you don’t, this is no different. Resources are LIMITED, that’s life so suck it up and get some cheese with your cheap Boone\’s Farm whine.
Caps are a antitrust issue. ATT and the cable companies have strangely picked the exact same usage cap number to strike at Internet competitors who are poised to cripple ATT and the cable operators core business interest – television. I understand their dilemma but frankly ATT is pointing fingers at so called bandwidth hogs (your friends and neighbors) as a red herring to justify a major strike at the competition.
Unfortunately, in protecting their interests they will stifle all forms of Internet usage that have nothing to do with television. No one company has that right and I for one want to see a solution that regulates the ISP\’s in the same way that utilities are regulated. With a corrupt or clueless FCC giving the okay to one-size fits all usage caps (think penalties), I can only suggest raising the noise factor to the highest level. I have taken the time to open cases with the FCC and the Department of Justice. I don\’t have a smoking gun but really I just want them to hear how angry we are.
As for ATT, well, it will never live this down. They have earned my ire and they will reap that reward.
How you can help
If you have an antitrust problem or complaint, or if you wish to provide information that may be helpful in an investigation, contact the Federal Trade Commission.
E-mail: Antitrust@ftc.gov
or by mail:
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition-H374,
Washington, D.C. 20580
Telephone
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1–877–FTC–HELP