PSA - Comcast users - Data Cap

[ch33zw1z]

I don't know if FIOS is available in my Eastern MA area, but at least I have a choice for cable internet. RCN >>> Comcast

That's cool, but rare TMK. I have comcast or flaky dsl that's 3mbps tops.

 

[HomerJS]

I'm not a lawyer but since caps were not in original TOS which everyone agreed when service was established how can they do this without an amended agreement, which most people would not sign???

 

[ch33zw1z]

I'm not a lawyer but since caps were not in original TOS which everyone agreed when service was established how can they do this without an amended agreement, which most people would not sign???

I'm sure the ToS says they reserve the right to do whatever they want, legally, and GFY it's a monopoly if you do not like it

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I'm not a lawyer but since caps were not in original TOS which everyone agreed when service was established how can they do this without an amended agreement, which most people would not sign???

Nope, I am sure the original TOS has the now standard clause “this agreement may change at anytime with or without notice”

 

[Brainonska511]

That's cool, but rare TMK. I have comcast or flaky dsl that's 3mbps tops.

Yeah, just one city over, RCN is not an option (and I'm practically on the border between the two cities).

In NYC, I also had 3 choices in my neighborhood: RCN, Time Warner, and FIOS. But once I moved to a smaller city adjacent to NYC, it was a single choice

 

[snoopy7548]

Data caps are complete bullshit. I guess I've been somewhat lucky living in MA - my town only has one choice for internet (Comcast), but they haven't been enforcing the data caps.

I'm assuming Comcast's metering will not be subject to federal regulations, correct? Be sure to start logging your internet usage!

Comcast's webpage currently shows 1965GB used in November, but my router shows 1876GB used.

Comcast incorrectly charged 2,000 customers for exceeding data cap

Comcast issues refunds after software bug caused inaccurate data-meter readings.

arstechnica.com

 

[Fanatical Meat]

This is where a good infrastructure bill would be great. Gov sponsors companies with a solid business plan and backing to build more wired networks. Shit I would even be good with a communications tax to fun it because more choices will obviously bring down the total cost.
I look at my friends who pay around $100 for internet only and it is 25 or maybe 50mbs. Insane pricing.
Bring a second option to those places and cost will go down, costs will stay reasonable as they have in my city.

 

[jmagg]

Spectrum (Comcast), loves to tout "no contracts" as if its a great thing for the consumer. We fought the good fight to keep our cable/internet bill reasonable for years, but in the end they settled for a 45% loss of revenue on their end. 145 a month wasn't enough for a 20 yr customer, they needed 165 (without authorization) and settled for 85 internet only.

 

[repoman0]

I don't know if FIOS is available in my Eastern MA area, but at least I have a choice for cable internet. RCN >>> Comcast

I‘ve had fios available in a couple eastern MA towns and RCN available in a couple more. I think when I lived in Brookline I was stuck with Comcrap but since then have been lucky enough to not have to give them any money. I’d switch to RCN from FIOS if I could honestly just to give my money to a less shitty corporation but it’s comcast cable here.

 

[brycejones]

There's no data caps on AT&T's Gigabit lines
I still have 15 days left in my billing cycle.
View attachment 34525

Shocked but cool!

 

[brycejones]

While I know it will be more expensive, you may be a good candidate for a business account

I use wowway no data caps. I really do miss the google fiber I had in KC though.

 

[ch33zw1z]

 

[Jaskalas]

If 95% of their customers only use ~300GB

Even owning a 4k TV and then streaming said content to it increased our data use by twice that amount. That is, in addition to the baseline we already had.

We currently use 3-4TB per month.

I could totally picture that being normal data use if multiple users all used 4k displays.

 

[ElMonoDelMar]

First of all, fuck Comcast. Second, I just found out today that you can sign up for their stupid Xfi Complete package for unlimited monthly data. That package is $25 if you use their shitty modem/router combo that allows people to mooch your wifi. It's $30/month if you use your own hardware.

I just confirmed with them that you can sign up for the $25/month unlimited plan and just keep the equipment in a box in the basement. That way, you can have the wifi experience you want and unlimited data for $25/month.

Fuck them again.

 

[ch33zw1z]

First of all, fuck Comcast. Second, I just found out today that you can sign up for their stupid Xfi Complete package for unlimited monthly data. That package is $25 if you use their shitty modem/router combo that allows people to mooch your wifi. It's $30/month if you use your own hardware.

I just confirmed with them that you can sign up for the $25/month unlimited plan and just keep the equipment in a box in the basement. That way, you can have the wifi experience you want and unlimited data for $25/month.

Fuck them again.

Yea, fuck them. The gateway my in laws have can be put in bridge mode, I've never tested it, but seriously, fuck them and their garbage config

 

[ch33zw1z]

Even owning a 4k TV and then streaming said content to it increased our data use by twice that amount. That is, in addition to the baseline we already had.



I could totally picture that being normal data use if multiple users all used 4k displays.

Yea, it's only going go up. Their response will be tiered services, this is just baby steps.

 

[hal2kilo]

First of all, fuck Comcast. Second, I just found out today that you can sign up for their stupid Xfi Complete package for unlimited monthly data. That package is $25 if you use their shitty modem/router combo that allows people to mooch your wifi. It's $30/month if you use your own hardware.

I just confirmed with them that you can sign up for the $25/month unlimited plan and just keep the equipment in a box in the basement. That way, you can have the wifi experience you want and unlimited data for $25/month.

Fuck them again.

So essentially, they are siphoning off other peoples unused bandwidth. Score for the scam. American businesses are so cleaver at squeezing the last penny out of us chumps.

 

[ElMonoDelMar]

So essentially, they are siphoning off other peoples unused bandwidth. Score for the scam. American businesses are so cleaver at squeezing the last penny out of us chumps.

That's exactly right. If you use Comcast's equipment, they will open up an Xfinity hotspot in your house. Anyone with Comcast can then connect to that hotspot free of charge. Hopefully they're nice enough not to stream 4k video while you're trying to watch something on Netflix.

 

[Moonbeam]

Internet service should be nationalized and given to the Postal Service. Internet should be socialized so farmers can have city internet speed and you have to agree at sign-up you understand this to be the case. News services and social media should be fact checked for truthfulness.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

So essentially, they are siphoning off other peoples unused bandwidth. Score for the scam. American businesses are so cleaver at squeezing the last penny out of us chumps.

It is a completely different billing path.
Honestly getting $5 per month off to use their equipment isn’t a bad deal provided they don’t increase the equipment charge $5 per month on year two, $10 per month on year three, then $15 per month on month whatever.
Cable does all the shitty billing practices wireless did in the later 90s. Amazing they learned nothing.

 

[hal2kilo]

It is a completely different billing path.
Honestly getting $5 per month off to use their equipment isn’t a bad deal provided they don’t increase the equipment charge $5 per month on year two, $10 per month on year three, then $15 per month on month whatever.
Cable does all the shitty billing practices wireless did in the later 90s. Amazing they learned nothing.

You just reminded me. On Dec. 16 I have to call Wave cable to renew all of the deals I wasn't aware that were out there that reduced my bill by over $50 a month. It sucks. If you don't bitch, they run it right back up. Really no different than dealing with car sales people.

 

[Brainonska511]

You just reminded me. On Dec. 16 I have to call Wave cable to renew all of the deals I wasn't aware that were out there that reduced my bill by over $50 a month. It sucks. If you don't bitch, they run it right back up. Really no different than dealing with car sales people.

RCN won't budget when I call to complain about their price increases, even if I threaten to leave and go to Comcast.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

RCN won't budget when I call to complain about their price increases, even if I threaten to leave and go to Comcast.

For the best prices you have to churn your account. We swap off, one your or two it is in my name for billing then I cancel on the day my wife has her new install.
As I said cable companies too all the shitty practices of late 90s wireless carriers. Play their stupid shitty games an teach them a lesson.
I am fine with the minimal inconvenience of cancelling then reactivating in a new billing name every year or two to save $10 per month plus get a gift card or free Disney plus for a year. New subscriber bonuses are typically a couple hundred dollars. Fuck you fios, play stupid games win stupid prizes.

 

[fleshconsumed]

I am so happy we finally got ATT fiber here. I signed up with Toast.net who is one of the ATT resellers. When I told comcast to cancel because I'm getting symmetrical fiber they didn't even try to fight to keep me as a customer, they just processed the cancel request. They know they can't compete with fiber and they don't care to, they're totally happy with all of their captive audience where they're the only provider which is why they have the data cap with overage fees, because they know most people can't do shit about. What are they going to do, cancel and go without internet? Right...

On a side note, really happy with Toast.net ATT reseller, english speaking customer service, very responsive and polite, a rarity. The only downside is they only do internet, no phone and no TV. However, if you don't need TV/Phone and you're about to get ATT Fiber I would seriously advise to consider toast.net.

 

[snoopy7548]

So essentially, they are siphoning off other peoples unused bandwidth. Score for the scam. American businesses are so cleaver at squeezing the last penny out of us chumps.

Why exceed my data cap when I can just exceed my neighbor's?