From October 1, 2008, heavy Comcast users will pay more for their Internet usage. Anyone who exceeds a monthly usage cap of 250 gigabytes can expect to pay a “surcharge” which could amount to $15 for each 10 gigabytes over the cap.

Fortunately, most Comcast customers can rest easy: 250 gigabytes is a LOT of data. Most residential users consume 2-3 gigabytes per month. In fact, 250 gigabytes equates to the equivalent of downloading 62,500 songs (at 4 MB/song) OR downloading 125 standard-definition movies (at 2 GB/movie) OR uploading 25,000 hi-resolution digital photos (at 10 MB/photo).

Meanwhile, I shake my head. Here in Australia ALL Internet Service Providers impose caps, surcharges and restricted upload/download speeds for “excessive” use!

Source: Karl Bode, “Comcast 250GB Cap Goes Live October 1″, Broadband Reports, August 28, 2008

U.S. based Internet service providers Time Warner Cable, Comcast and AT&T are evidently considering charging Internet users based on how much bandwidth they use, as opposed to charging them flat rates irrespective of usage.

The U.S.’s three biggest I.S.P.s are specifically looking at placing monthly caps on bandwidth and charging users extra fees for any excess bandwidth they use.

While the companies argue that imposing bandwidth limits and charging for excess use will ensure fair access for all Internet users, critics believe such moves will deter Internet usage and slow the impending convergence of television and the Internet.

Funny that people in the U.S. should be so shocked. Here in Australia, charging by the byte for excessive bandwidth usage is the norm.

Source: Brian Stelter, “Charging by the Byte to Curb Internet Traffic”, The New York Times, June 15, 2008