Comments on: Comcast to Install Speed Bumps for Bandwidth Hogs http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:47:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Travis http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-901838 Travis Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:43:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-901838 <p>I am a comcast customer and yesterday I seen some fatass climb on my telephone pole, and when his fat ass came down my ping from the online game I play went from 26 to 51, i will definitely be dropping comcast for DSL!</p> I am a comcast customer and yesterday I seen some fatass climb on my telephone pole, and when his fat ass came down my ping from the online game I play went from 26 to 51, i will definitely be dropping comcast for DSL!

]]> By: Charles Richey http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-901560 Charles Richey Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:59:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-901560 <p>I would definitely be changing service. Here in Las Vegas Cox communications has a strangle hold on high speed service (dsl really doesn't count). Thankfully they haven't started down the same road but prices have risen steadily over the last 2 years.</p> I would definitely be changing service. Here in Las Vegas Cox communications has a strangle hold on high speed service (dsl really doesn’t count). Thankfully they haven’t started down the same road but prices have risen steadily over the last 2 years.

]]> By: WizReport » Comcast: How We’ve Been Slowing Down BitTorrent http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-901034 WizReport » Comcast: How We’ve Been Slowing Down BitTorrent Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:15:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-901034 <p>[...] The company also laid out a plan for its transition to protocol-agnostic network management, which Stacey Higginbotham covered over at GigaOM. The filings are response to the FCC’s order against the company issued a month [...]</p> [...] The company also laid out a plan for its transition to protocol-agnostic network management, which Stacey Higginbotham covered over at GigaOM. The filings are response to the FCC’s order against the company issued a month [...]

]]> By: Help Us Create a Broadband Bill of Rights - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900891 Help Us Create a Broadband Bill of Rights - GigaOM Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:54:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900891 <p>[...] 22, 2008 at 2:54 PM PT Comments (0) On Friday, Comcast filed its network management plan, which we covered as did NewTeeVee. However, in the comments of the post, it became clear that customers don’t [...]</p> [...] 22, 2008 at 2:54 PM PT Comments (0) On Friday, Comcast filed its network management plan, which we covered as did NewTeeVee. However, in the comments of the post, it became clear that customers don’t [...]

]]> By: bmoura http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900663 bmoura Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:47:34 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900663 <p>>>optionshiftk said:</p> <p>I am very fortunate that my ISP(cablevision) is not capping my bandwidth. If I were a comcast subscriber I would be running to FIOS or nearly anything else that beats out comcast.<<</p> <p>You are very fortunate! Here in Silicon Valley, Verizon FIOS has yet to be offered. So all home Internet users have to choose from is Comcast and AT&T - both capped.</p> >>optionshiftk said:

I am very fortunate that my ISP(cablevision) is not capping my bandwidth. If I were a comcast subscriber I would be running to FIOS or nearly anything else that beats out comcast.<<

You are very fortunate! Here in Silicon Valley, Verizon FIOS has yet to be offered. So all home Internet users have to choose from is Comcast and AT&T – both capped.

]]> By: Jason Livingood http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900653 Jason Livingood Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:36:23 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900653 <p>Joel Strellner asked: "Are the limits applied based off of what my cable modem states, or at the location that everything is joined in my neighborhood? There are times where Comcast’s network speeds are clearly limiting me, which I think is due to my neighbors."</p> <p>Both. First the upstream or downstream port you are served from on the CMTS must be over the threshold. Then, user traffic can be considered.</p> <p>"Also, how is the sampling done? Is it constant, or just a sample every 15 minutes? For example, if I download a large PDF that takes 1 minute and uses 90% of my connection - exactly 14 minutes later, I do another which lasts two minutes and uses 90% of my connection. Would I be throttled even though I did nothing in the 14 minutes between those two downloads?"</p> <p>The sampling is continuous, and we look at the average over the period.</p> <p>"Will Comcast have a way for me to see if (when) I was throttled, or how much of my 250GB monthly limit I have used?"</p> <p>Not yet - but it is on the list for new features to be developed soon (in the short-term we're more focused on deployment). I have a bunch of stuff in the longer-term list of things to do, such as:</p> <ul> <li><p>Work on methods to put QoS controls in the hands of users, so that a user could configure their own traffic to set their preferences. For example, some users may want to prioritize their VoIP traffic, while others may wish to prioritize online gaming.</p></li> <li><p>Work on methods to expose near-congestion and congestion state information to applications and users. For example, this could enable a user to know if their traffic is temporarily in a lower priority, or was at one time in the past, or it could enable their application to automatically adjust to such network conditions based upon this information.</p></li> </ul> <p>Jason Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations</p> Joel Strellner asked: “Are the limits applied based off of what my cable modem states, or at the location that everything is joined in my neighborhood? There are times where Comcast’s network speeds are clearly limiting me, which I think is due to my neighbors.”

Both. First the upstream or downstream port you are served from on the CMTS must be over the threshold. Then, user traffic can be considered.

“Also, how is the sampling done? Is it constant, or just a sample every 15 minutes? For example, if I download a large PDF that takes 1 minute and uses 90% of my connection – exactly 14 minutes later, I do another which lasts two minutes and uses 90% of my connection. Would I be throttled even though I did nothing in the 14 minutes between those two downloads?”

The sampling is continuous, and we look at the average over the period.

“Will Comcast have a way for me to see if (when) I was throttled, or how much of my 250GB monthly limit I have used?”

Not yet – but it is on the list for new features to be developed soon (in the short-term we’re more focused on deployment). I have a bunch of stuff in the longer-term list of things to do, such as:

  • Work on methods to put QoS controls in the hands of users, so that a user could configure their own traffic to set their preferences. For example, some users may want to prioritize their VoIP traffic, while others may wish to prioritize online gaming.

  • Work on methods to expose near-congestion and congestion state information to applications and users. For example, this could enable a user to know if their traffic is temporarily in a lower priority, or was at one time in the past, or it could enable their application to automatically adjust to such network conditions based upon this information.

Jason Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations

]]> By: Joel Strellner http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900640 Joel Strellner Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:28:01 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900640 <p>Are the limits applied based off of what my cable modem states, or at the location that everything is joined in my neighborhood? There are times where Comcast's network speeds are clearly limiting me, which I think is due to my neighbors.</p> <p>Also, how is the sampling done? Is it constant, or just a sample every 15 minutes? For example, if I download a large PDF that takes 1 minute and uses 90% of my connection - exactly 14 minutes later, I do another which lasts two minutes and uses 90% of my connection. Would I be throttled even though I did nothing in the 14 minutes between those two downloads?</p> <p>Will Comcast have a way for me to see if (when) I was throttled, or how much of my 250GB monthly limit I have used?</p> Are the limits applied based off of what my cable modem states, or at the location that everything is joined in my neighborhood? There are times where Comcast’s network speeds are clearly limiting me, which I think is due to my neighbors.

Also, how is the sampling done? Is it constant, or just a sample every 15 minutes? For example, if I download a large PDF that takes 1 minute and uses 90% of my connection – exactly 14 minutes later, I do another which lasts two minutes and uses 90% of my connection. Would I be throttled even though I did nothing in the 14 minutes between those two downloads?

Will Comcast have a way for me to see if (when) I was throttled, or how much of my 250GB monthly limit I have used?

]]> By: Daniel, The Hosting Blog http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900610 Daniel, The Hosting Blog Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:59:09 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900610 <p>I heard about their plan to limit all the users to 250GB because of service abuse. I know of some people who will logon and constant download tons and tons of crap just to do it. Like this guy that I know runs a warez site and he says every time he logs into a network he will set up his download manager to cap out a line which in turn ruins service for the rest of the neighborhood.</p> <p>I think most people will be fine with 250GB a month. Even avid gamers should be OK at this limit. But if you are gaming and downloading 10 movies in the background you might be in trouble</p> I heard about their plan to limit all the users to 250GB because of service abuse. I know of some people who will logon and constant download tons and tons of crap just to do it. Like this guy that I know runs a warez site and he says every time he logs into a network he will set up his download manager to cap out a line which in turn ruins service for the rest of the neighborhood.

I think most people will be fine with 250GB a month. Even avid gamers should be OK at this limit. But if you are gaming and downloading 10 movies in the background you might be in trouble

]]> By: Comcast to FCC: With Your Blessing, We Throttle our Network  »TechAddress http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900578 Comcast to FCC: With Your Blessing, We Throttle our Network  »TechAddress Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:30:49 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900578 <p>[...] in which they access the data - insofar as large and sustained transfers are concerned - is also observed and manipulated if deemed necessary. All in all, a consciously stifling combination, no [...]</p> [...] in which they access the data – insofar as large and sustained transfers are concerned – is also observed and manipulated if deemed necessary. All in all, a consciously stifling combination, no [...]

]]> By: Comcast to FCC: With Your Blessing, We Throttle our Network - Mashable http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900566 Comcast to FCC: With Your Blessing, We Throttle our Network - Mashable Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:00:24 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900566 <p>[...] in which they access the data - insofar as large and sustained transfers are concerned - is also observed and manipulated if deemed necessary. All in all, a consciously stifling combination, no [...]</p> [...] in which they access the data – insofar as large and sustained transfers are concerned – is also observed and manipulated if deemed necessary. All in all, a consciously stifling combination, no [...]

]]> By: Comcast: How We’ve Been Slowing Down BitTorrent « NewTeeVee http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900560 Comcast: How We’ve Been Slowing Down BitTorrent « NewTeeVee Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:53:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900560 <p>[...] The company also laid out a plan for its transition to protocol-agnostic network management, which Stacey Higginbotham covered over at GigaOM. The filings are response to the FCC’s order against the company issued a month [...]</p> [...] The company also laid out a plan for its transition to protocol-agnostic network management, which Stacey Higginbotham covered over at GigaOM. The filings are response to the FCC’s order against the company issued a month [...]

]]> By: Jason Livingood http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900558 Jason Livingood Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:22:06 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900558 <p>Robb said: "Customers may not like what they learned, but these clarifications are good things."</p> <p>I think you are right on the money that these (and other recent) clarifications are a good thing. Transparency and openness are great things, and over time the average customer will have a much better understanding of the mechanics of our - and other companies' - ISP services. I think we can already see where Internet users are becoming much more savvy and educated about related topics, like the privacy of their web surfing habits, security of their personal data, protection from malicious software, software EULAs, etc.</p> <p>Regards Jason<br /> Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations</p> Robb said: “Customers may not like what they learned, but these clarifications are good things.”

I think you are right on the money that these (and other recent) clarifications are a good thing. Transparency and openness are great things, and over time the average customer will have a much better understanding of the mechanics of our – and other companies’ – ISP services. I think we can already see where Internet users are becoming much more savvy and educated about related topics, like the privacy of their web surfing habits, security of their personal data, protection from malicious software, software EULAs, etc.

Regards Jason
Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations

]]> By: Robb Topolski http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900529 Robb Topolski Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:52:45 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900529 <p>--Quote-- I believe the way we sell service is that we offer burst-to speeds when you sign up for a service tier, not a Committed Information Rate (CIR) of a guaranteed 24×7 constant speed. --EndQuote--</p> <p>I think Comcast has taken strides in recent months that have clarified the parameters of its product, but considering the ferocious reaction to the disclosure of an 250 GB "Excessive Use" amount, I think its clear that a sizable part of the customer base had a different understanding about the nature of the service that they had subscribed too.</p> <p>Customers may not like what they learned, but these clarifications are good things.</p> –Quote– I believe the way we sell service is that we offer burst-to speeds when you sign up for a service tier, not a Committed Information Rate (CIR) of a guaranteed 24×7 constant speed. –EndQuote–

I think Comcast has taken strides in recent months that have clarified the parameters of its product, but considering the ferocious reaction to the disclosure of an 250 GB “Excessive Use” amount, I think its clear that a sizable part of the customer base had a different understanding about the nature of the service that they had subscribed too.

Customers may not like what they learned, but these clarifications are good things.

]]> By: » Comcast Discloses, Then Hits the Comments Trail Sidecut Reports http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900526 » Comcast Discloses, Then Hits the Comments Trail Sidecut Reports Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:13:58 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900526 <p>[...] to us at this late hour is how Comcast rep Jason Livingood is impressively fighting the flak in the comments section over at GigaOM, our alma [...]</p> [...] to us at this late hour is how Comcast rep Jason Livingood is impressively fighting the flak in the comments section over at GigaOM, our alma [...]

]]> By: Richard Bennett http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900519 Richard Bennett Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:16:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900519 <p>Griffon, you're already paying much less than 70% of the bill for a Committed Information Rate. A dedicated T1 - 1.44 Mb/s - runs over $400/mo most places. Nobody's stopping you from ditching your cable modem for a deal like that.</p> Griffon, you’re already paying much less than 70% of the bill for a Committed Information Rate. A dedicated T1 – 1.44 Mb/s – runs over $400/mo most places. Nobody’s stopping you from ditching your cable modem for a deal like that.

]]> By: Jason Livingood http://gigaom.com/2008/09/19/comcast-installs-speed-bumps-for-bandwidth-hogs/#comment-900510 Jason Livingood Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:58:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21881#comment-900510 <p>Griffon said: "Great, dose that mean I only need to pay them 70% of my bill since that is all the bandwidth they will guarantee me perpetually. God I wish we had any real competition in this assbackwards market."</p> <p>I'm not a marketing or legal person, but I believe the way we sell service is that we offer burst-to speeds when you sign up for a service tier, not a Committed Information Rate (CIR) of a guaranteed 24x7 constant speed. But more to the point, the 70% threshold in the new congestion management system is not a limit in any sense, as you can easily go beyond it. It is used, once an overall access network utilization threshold is crossed, to tag some packets with a lower QoS for a short period of time. Up to the point of actual congestion, there is no effect of this and packets are processed normally.</p> <p>Jason Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations</p> Griffon said: “Great, dose that mean I only need to pay them 70% of my bill since that is all the bandwidth they will guarantee me perpetually. God I wish we had any real competition in this assbackwards market.”

I’m not a marketing or legal person, but I believe the way we sell service is that we offer burst-to speeds when you sign up for a service tier, not a Committed Information Rate (CIR) of a guaranteed 24×7 constant speed. But more to the point, the 70% threshold in the new congestion management system is not a limit in any sense, as you can easily go beyond it. It is used, once an overall access network utilization threshold is crossed, to tag some packets with a lower QoS for a short period of time. Up to the point of actual congestion, there is no effect of this and packets are processed normally.

Jason Comcast National Engineering & Technical Operations

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