NoCalMike
Welcome to Prime Time, bitch!
I am an AT&T user. I don't believe I come anywhere near 150 GB per month, but I still do not like this trend. I know AT&T isn't the only ISP. The companies claim it is because 2% use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth, but I hardly see how that is a relevant argument because everyone was sold a flat fee package in the first place, and secondly, it's not like the 98% who only use 2-5 GB per month are seeing any type of decrease on their bill.
To me, the real culprit behind the caps is to drive people's bills up. As services like Netflix, Amazon on demand and other various video streaming services come down the pike in the future, it is making people second guess these expensive cable/satellite packages they are paying for, especially the crazy prices of premium networks. You have companies like Comcast and AT&T who along with internet, are always sending you ads NON STOP about also bundling their TV services along with the internet. They are trying to offer the same product for a much higher price.
Instead of going out and competing with the content and price point of services such as netflix instant streaming, they are trying to find ways that will jack up your internet bill, just in case you decide to drop their TV service. That way an internet bill that used to cost $50, will now cost $100 or more, so they are not losing money per customer when they cancel tv subscriptions.
Also, the 150 GB limit sounds ok right now for most people, however streaming content delivered in 1080p content on a regular basis is right around the corner. It is going to happen soon, which with it will bring along much bigger files that are coming "down the pipes" 150 GB won't seem like such a huge number in five years I bet. Finally, there is also no guarantee that the 150 GB is going to stick. Lets say in 6 months, your average user is still only using 5-10 GB per month. These ISP's can then decide, "Wow, you know what, 150GB was way to generous, the new cap is 100GB or 80GB" and so on.....
Thoughts?
To me, the real culprit behind the caps is to drive people's bills up. As services like Netflix, Amazon on demand and other various video streaming services come down the pike in the future, it is making people second guess these expensive cable/satellite packages they are paying for, especially the crazy prices of premium networks. You have companies like Comcast and AT&T who along with internet, are always sending you ads NON STOP about also bundling their TV services along with the internet. They are trying to offer the same product for a much higher price.
Instead of going out and competing with the content and price point of services such as netflix instant streaming, they are trying to find ways that will jack up your internet bill, just in case you decide to drop their TV service. That way an internet bill that used to cost $50, will now cost $100 or more, so they are not losing money per customer when they cancel tv subscriptions.
Also, the 150 GB limit sounds ok right now for most people, however streaming content delivered in 1080p content on a regular basis is right around the corner. It is going to happen soon, which with it will bring along much bigger files that are coming "down the pipes" 150 GB won't seem like such a huge number in five years I bet. Finally, there is also no guarantee that the 150 GB is going to stick. Lets say in 6 months, your average user is still only using 5-10 GB per month. These ISP's can then decide, "Wow, you know what, 150GB was way to generous, the new cap is 100GB or 80GB" and so on.....
Thoughts?
