Imagine this: your ISP sends you a message that you're using too much Internet. They tell you to cut it out. You try to comply, but it's hard because they won't tell you how much is too much, or even how to figure out how much you're using. Then POOF, your 'net connection is gone. Sorry, Charlie.
Well, according to this article at washingtonpost.com, that's exactly what's happening to some Comcast customers:
Comcast has punished some transgressors by cutting off their Internet service, arguing that excessive downloaders hog Internet capacity and slow down the network for other customers. The company declines to reveal its download limits.
"You have no way of knowing how much is too much," said Sandra Spalletta of Rockville, whose Internet service was suspended in March after Comcast sent her a letter warning that she and her teenage son were using too much bandwidth. They cut back on downloads but were still disconnected. She said the company would not tell her how to monitor their bandwidth use in order to comply with the limits.
"You want to think you can rely on your home Internet service and not wake up one morning to find it turned off," said Spalletta, who filed a complaint with the Montgomery County Office of Cable and Communication Services. "I thought it was unlimited service."
As Internet service providers try to keep up with the demand for increasingly sophisticated online entertainment such as high-definition movies, streaming TV shows and interactive games, such caps could become more common, some analysts said.
It's unclear how many customers have lost Internet service because of overuse. So far, only Comcast customers have reported being affected. Comcast said only a small fraction of its customers use enough bandwidth to warrant pulling the plug on their service.
I now know for damn sure I'll never spend a dollar on Comcast. I mean it's one thing to tell people up front that "okay, you get this much usage per month for this price." But to sell "unlimited service" that's actually limited service, but they won't even tell you what the limits are....somebody needs to contact their local Attorney General consumer fraud division.
I look forward to seeing these crooks sued out of existence.
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