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Comcast Tests a New Bandwidth Black List
New York Times ^ | 6/4/08 | Saul Hansell

Posted on 06/04/2008 4:34:45 PM PDT by LibWhacker

Some Comcast customers who actively download software and video files may soon find one set of unexplained delays replaced with a different sort of equally cryptic slowdowns.

Comcast is starting to test new approaches to protecting its network from what it describes as congestion caused by a handful of customers who use far far more bandwidth than everyone else. Until now, Comcast has been using devices that interfered with the BitTorrent protocol—the most common method for downloading large files from computers of other users. BitTorrent is often used by people exchanging pornography and illegal copies of movies, but creators of video and software also choose to use BitTorrent as an inexpensive way to distribute their creations.

It will test new devices that will keep track of Comcast users and assemble a blacklist of heavy users. Those on the blacklist will find that all of their online activities may slow down at peak times: from downloading movies to checking e-mail.

For now, these restrictions are just as mysterious as the secret blocking of BitTorrent. Charlie Douglas, a Comcast spokesman, said the company would not disclose what sort of usage it takes to get on the black list, how long someone stays on it and if there is any way to get off. Most significantly, Comcast won’t even tell users if they are on the black list.

(Excerpt) Read more at bits.blogs.nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bandwidth; black; comcast; internet; list
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No reason to stay, not at their inflated prices. They've already toggled me back to almost dial-up speeds, and I don't even use BitTorrent. Paying them $150 to $200 a month already for cable and "unlimited" internet access (or so they promised when I first went with them). Goodbye, Comcast. Crooked b***ards.
1 posted on 06/04/2008 4:34:45 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker

This sort of practice is common with every company out there selling any unlimited product or service. They always have some fine print and wind up ratcheting back service or canceling accounts.

I would think this would be some sort of false advertising issue.


2 posted on 06/04/2008 4:37:43 PM PDT by festus (Tagline removed.)
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To: LibWhacker

bingo.... a sentiment held by many others


3 posted on 06/04/2008 4:37:52 PM PDT by pointsal
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To: LibWhacker

I’d dump their ass too. This angers me on general principles.

I’ll bet they have lots of customers who don’t use nearly as much as they are alloted. You don’t hear them handing back cash to those folks do ya.


4 posted on 06/04/2008 4:38:47 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Ooo what's that terrible smell? Oh, I stepped in a big pile of 'lesser of two evils'. Careful...)
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To: LibWhacker

They should just charge more, and keep the customers.

Otherwise, they can go to a commercial line with guaranteed throughput. Fractional T1 is getting very cheap.


5 posted on 06/04/2008 4:40:40 PM PDT by proxy_user
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To: DoughtyOne
I’ll bet they have lots of customers who don’t use nearly as much as they are alloted. You don’t hear them handing back cash to those folks do ya.

Excellent point.

I have Comcast internet, only because I was forced to give up RoadRunner when Comcast took over here.

For now, they are the only game in town for cable internet service here. Their service has been fine so far, but I don't download torrents or huge video files very much.

6 posted on 06/04/2008 4:42:25 PM PDT by Skooz (Any nation that would elect Hillary Clinton as its president has forfeited its right to exist.)
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To: LibWhacker

I don’t have a choice if I want cable internet, it’s Comcast or nothing. I don’t pay as much as you do though. I pay $96 per month for internet and cable tv. The internet is unlimited and it costs about $40 of the total.

I had DSL at one time - hated it. Besides, I can’t get it any more since I don’t have a land line phone. Well, I still could but it would cost a bundle.

I’m thinking of Direct tv. Can I get high speed internet with that?


7 posted on 06/04/2008 4:45:05 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: Skooz

If you’re like me, it’s mostly text. I download programs from time to time, but that’s exactly why I have a cable modem. What would be the point if I didn’t have a heavy load from time to time?

Sounds like some real braintrusts over at Comcast. Makes you wonder if the execs even know what the internet is all about.

“Well sure we gave you the high-speed line, but we expected you to keep your traffic down to the 1970s level Compuserve. What’s the deal?”


8 posted on 06/04/2008 4:47:19 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Ooo what's that terrible smell? Oh, I stepped in a big pile of 'lesser of two evils'. Careful...)
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To: festus
This sort of practice is common with every company out there selling any unlimited product or service.

Easy. Charge for usage. Why should a small user subsidize a big user?

9 posted on 06/04/2008 4:47:59 PM PDT by GOPJ ( World Series - it's how many games are won, not total runs. Same for Hillary's "total vote" crap.)
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To: Graybeard58

I pay less than $70 a month to Comcast for internet and cable. It’s my work location (self-employed) so I only get low-tier basic cable which doesn’t include such things as Fox News. The internet speed is quite fast, about 5 Mbps.


10 posted on 06/04/2008 4:51:17 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus Reagan (Fight Socialism! Vote McCain '08!)
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To: Graybeard58

Sat Internet is considerably slower than DSL or cable. Considerability more expensive also.


11 posted on 06/04/2008 4:52:50 PM PDT by politicalwit (AKA... A Tradition Continues...Now a Hoosier Freeper)
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To: proxy_user

Full T1 is what, 1.5Mbit? That’s not even close to the downstream speed on your average cable modem.

A commercial line with comparable throughput is unaffordable for personal use.


12 posted on 06/04/2008 4:56:08 PM PDT by bornred
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To: Ronaldus Magnus Reagan

For my $96 I do get Fox news and internet but not any of the premium channels such as HBO. I get dozens of channels that are of no interest to me at all.

All I ever watch is Fox, Discovery, History and sometimes a movie on one of the network channels.


13 posted on 06/04/2008 4:57:14 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: LibWhacker

Verizon will be available to me within the next month or two.Some of the wiring is already done and the rest,I’m told,will be done soon.As soon as it’s available,Comcast can kiss my hindquarters goodbye.


14 posted on 06/04/2008 4:57:59 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We're only seeing singing Hitlers.)
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To: proxy_user

“Fractional T1 is getting very cheap.”

uhhhh ok, I have Verizon FIOS (fiber) business class. 20MB dedicated. At least thats what they tell me. The servers you use to test speed generally aren’t fast enough to really show you how fast it is.


15 posted on 06/04/2008 4:59:39 PM PDT by driftdiver
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BitTorrent is often used by people exchanging pornography and illegal copies of movies

And gloves are often used by criminals, as are cars and, for that matter, lawn mowers and can openers. Once again, the NYT editorializes in what is supposed to be a news item.

16 posted on 06/04/2008 5:01:06 PM PDT by KarinG1 (Opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of sane people.)
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To: driftdiver

Do You Like it?


17 posted on 06/04/2008 5:01:41 PM PDT by cmsgop (I can't believe my wife downloaded "Philadelphia Freedom"on my iPod........)
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To: Graybeard58

I’ve switched from cable internet to hi-speed DSL (ATT) for only $19.99 unlimited downloads. Unlike TW, who obviously “tinker” with my downloads (I download “more than others’), I switched to ATT at a very low price and never looked back.

Comcast NOT telling you that you’re not on their “black list”?

That’s why we live in a free market economy, you don’t like someone’s business? Go to someone else?

I feel for those who don;t have options in areas where there’s not any competition for your $$.


18 posted on 06/04/2008 5:03:13 PM PDT by max americana
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To: Graybeard58

Don’t know who was your provider for DSL but it might be worth a shot to try again or try another provider. I got AT&T and I love it. Way better than cable was. That was a nightmare. But if I was to move I would try cable again since my sister across town has it and it is really good.


19 posted on 06/04/2008 5:09:58 PM PDT by pepperhead (Kennedy's float, Mary Jo's don't!)
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To: LibWhacker

I dumped Comcast internet when it performed worse than 1200 baud dial up. Very happy with Verizon FIOS.


20 posted on 06/04/2008 5:10:24 PM PDT by Ben Chad
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