In yet another display of cutting down bandwidth, there are now reports that Telus, which has been providing an Unlimited data plan for some time now, is trying to force contract customers who use more than 5GB down to a 1GB service plan. Following many others before, it probably won’t be the last.
They are using a rule in the contract that says no streaming media is allowed, and applying it to YouTube, Flash, and any type of streaming download. This is, of course, ridiculous, as most web sites on the Internet have some type of multimedia. The reason is that they want to cut down on downloads, and keep adding more people without upgrading their equipment, or said simply: Greed.
It’s the same story as the scandal that went on with Comcast throttling P2P users, Rogers putting up very strict limits for the iPhone release, and so on. They are all symptoms of the same basic problem, which is the fact that western Internet and cellphone providers (usually the same companies) typically refuse to invest in their networks to allow for future growth, and instead prefer short term profits.
Compared with some providers in Asia, such as Korea, who have been investing for years, we now see why there is such a big difference in download speeds and available bandwidth. Nothing will be solved until either customers push the companies to change their greedy behavior, or governments step in.
3 comments ↓
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
Telus is trying to force unlimited contract holders to take a more limited package or have their contracts terminated based on charges that they have violated the terms of service.
Specifically, Telus reps cite section 5 of the terms where it states that the service is not to be used for streaming multi-media.
Section 5 of the Telus Service Terms states:
“You will use the service for customary voice, messaging and wireless data purposes only. You will not use the service for multi-media streaming, voice over internet protocol; or any other application which uses excessive network capacity or may otherwise adversely impact other users, that is not made available to you by Telus Mobility.”
Yet, on the Telus website that promotes the EVDO High Speed network it states:
http://www.telusmobility.com/on/1X/index.shtml
“The TELUS Wireless High Speed network allows for fast and reliable Internet connections.
This opens the door for a variety of services such as streaming video and other multimedia applications.
Mobile professionals will be able to get broadband-like connections to corporate Intranets, e-mail servers, the Internet, and other online services.”
So how do you violate the terms of service if you are told that’s what the service allows you to do?
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