zatoicchi
12.09.08, 10:56
AT&T's just updated its terms of service for broadband customers, and starting next month, if you're a heavy downloader, get ready to have your connection squeezed to a trickle. While they haven't implemented usage caps a la Comcast (yet) they are using a similar traffic management technique starting on Oct. 18 you will see throughput get slower if you're "using other U-verse services in a manner that requires high bandwidth." Update: AT&T just hit us with some clarifications on the confusingly worded ToS—Rebel downloaders won't be punished specifically for using gobs of bandwidth, but what they've told us actually sounds worse for the average Joe U-Verse subscriber.
In order to provide a consistently high-quality video service, AT&T Uverse High Speed Internet throughput speeds may be temporarily reduced when a customer is using other U-verse services in a manner that requires high bandwidth. This could occur more often with higher speed Internet access products. It may be necessary, for some AT&T High Speed Internet users, for AT&T to set a maximum downstream speed on a customer line to enhance the reliability and consistency of performance.
At&t: AT&T Changes Terms of Service, Fastest U-Verse Subscribers Will See Slowdowns (http://gizmodo.com/5048091/att-changes-terms-of-service-will-start-slowing-rebel-downloaders-next-month)
In order to provide a consistently high-quality video service, AT&T Uverse High Speed Internet throughput speeds may be temporarily reduced when a customer is using other U-verse services in a manner that requires high bandwidth. This could occur more often with higher speed Internet access products. It may be necessary, for some AT&T High Speed Internet users, for AT&T to set a maximum downstream speed on a customer line to enhance the reliability and consistency of performance.
At&t: AT&T Changes Terms of Service, Fastest U-Verse Subscribers Will See Slowdowns (http://gizmodo.com/5048091/att-changes-terms-of-service-will-start-slowing-rebel-downloaders-next-month)