Have you heard about these internet caps?

Yes I can understand why you wouldn't want that. Thing is they have been trying to do this for years. Just depends on how they word it each time the try. The cost of the access should be what covers the expense which is has been the opposing agrument. So will see where it goes this time.

Do you mean to say someone wants to limit the amount of time people spend using the internet? That's like telling me I can't talk on the telephone that I PAY FOR! That is just nuts.

I fear this. I know that the big dogs of cable like TWC and Comcast are looking into capping usage of those who use a lot but I wonder if the public realizes just what that means? Some people would say that it does not bother them cause they only use the net at home and download movies infrequently. Others do use a lot of net due to business activity. These guys already charge an arm and a leg for service which isn't always perfect. Watched a cable tv show while it is stuck in pixels lately? That is annoying. I think they are just looking for an excuse to make more money. They can(and do) raise home monthly rates for little or no reason(certainly not good service-ha). I don't know how true this is, but I have heard that other countries have faster better broadband for less cost than we do. Imagine that. Why do we pay so much? Watch out for all the "test markets" may be the future for $$$.

It really doesn't surprise me that once again someone is deciding how we spend our time. It seems to me that this is just another example of a Socialist environment. I'm writing my rep's in Washington to let them know how I feel, we should all do the same and try and squash this before it starts.

We in Belgium have the internet caps. They are most annoying! When downloading/uploading images, files or videos you easily cross that border. Only we don't get charged more... we get slower internet for the rest of the month.

The internet should free and unrestriced. this deal about internet caps I am not sure what this is about. but it does not sound good to me.

i dont think such a thing has gained precedence here,the companies which offer more consumer friendly packages are much in demand like the the broadband.

I don't think it is something that is going to last. Time Warner has already said they are lifting caps and the cell phone industry has been blasted by insiders for holding back technology because of caps. No it is not fair (unless there is a tier pay structure or something) and I can feel your pain! Thanks Zelo

I read the responses to this discussion because I wasn't sure what internet caps was. Now that I do I don't think that would be fair to the consumer. We have had internet access at a set price. I will be watching closer on this now that I know about it. I am going to read your other discussion about this also.

I have to admit I'm confused and yes I read the article, so still confused...does this mean companies like Time Warner and AT&T and others will limit one's usage of the internet, and if one goes over the max will be charged more? It didn't mention Verizon which is what I have.

Any company that puts caps on usage will loose my business. I frequent a lot of heavy sites like this one.

If Timewarner can stick it to us then they will but I think it's a little late to do that to us now. They shouldn't have let us have unlimited use at all if they were going to yank it. I think that there will always be a competitor willing to deal that will keep the others in check.

No this isn't 'fair' and there aren't a lot of poeple that are going to stand for it. I know private phone companies can do whatever they want, but even that is starting to be a thing of the past. You can't manipulate your market like that. People will just move on.

In the end, I think that the wants and needs of the consumer will win out. The users that take full advantage of unlimited bandwidth will find ways around the cap, whether it is getting two accounts, spending more time at wireless hotspots or changing providers. At the start of the home internet revolution, pay by the hour was the norm. Once companies started offering unlimited nights and weekends and hour packages, the race was on. Companies that offer 'all you can eat' usage will always take the larger market share, leaving the time/usage cappers in the dust.