WOW Data Caps

[Donut417]

Summary

Following ISP's like Comcast, COX, Mediacom and AT&T, Wide Open West (WOW) will have data caps. Datacaps are planned for June 1 of 2021. Will be 1 TB to 3 TB depending on plan. 

 

Quotes

Copy of Email WOW sent customers 

Quote

What's a monthly data usage plan? Let us illustrate …

Imagine that the WOW! network is a pizza. Piping hot. Toppings galore. Every WOW! customer gets their own slice of pizza, but the size of their slice is dependent on their Internet service plan. While customers who subscribe to 1 Gig get the largest slices, those with Internet 500 get a slightly smaller piece, and so on. But, it's all the same delicious, high-speed pizza that you know and love.

Now, say you're not full after your slice and you grab another. That extra slice is like a data overage. Don't worry—we got extra pizza... umm, data... just in case. If you exceed your data allowance, we'll automatically apply increments of 50GB for $10 to your account for the remainder of the current calendar month. Total overage charges will not exceed $50 per billing statement no matter how much data you use. Even better—the first time you experience a data overage, we'll proactively waive fees.

 

The email never specifies how much data you will get each month HOWEVER, WOW has that info on their website. 

 

Quote

https://www.wowway.com/docs/wow/documents-terms-and-conditions/network-management-practices.pdf

 

WOW even claimed that they were not going to have data caps and customers could use their internet the way they wanted. 

 

Quote

Data caps are widely loathed by Internet customers, and ISPs that don't impose them are quick to tout that fact to show how consumer-friendly they are. WOW did exactly that in June 2017 when it issued a press release titled, "WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone Takes Consumer Side in Data Cap Debate."

WOW "today reinforced its commitment to continue providing data‐cap free Internet to all of its users, ensuring a better consumer Internet experience that is fast, reliable, and the best value in the market," the company said at the time. "Consumers can use their WOW Internet how they want it, when they want it, with no limit—how Internet should be." Unlike yesterday's email, this 4-year-old announcement was written in a way that suggests at least somebody at WOW then knew that typical Internet users understand Internet data is nothing like pizza.

 

My thoughts

Im kinda surprised on this. WOW is what we call an over builder. Meaning they tend to be in areas with other companies. The one good thing is they do offer a larger cap on faster internet plans. Unlike Comcast who just does 1.2TB across the board. Their overage charges is the same as pretty much other ISP's that have caps. WOW customers are NOT happy. BUT interestingly enough, only a few have gotten the email. At first customers thought it was a joke as the info came to them on April fools. Even then not all customers got an email, at least at the time. https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r33074426-Data-Caps-just-got-the-email the link is to the thread on DSL reports where WOW customers broke the news. It was actually the first place I read about this. One of the posters even said they signed up for Starlink and will be switching when they are able. It sounds like from what I have read, WOW's network is no where near as nice as Comcast for example, and they seem to have it pretty over subscribed. The assistant manager at my job has told me his internet service kinda sucks. So I wonder if the caps are out of desperation as their network is collapsing rather than being a total money grab. 

 

On a side note, one of the users in the DSL reports thread even pointed out that Comcast's cap announcement was at least professional. LOL. 

 

 

Sources

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/04/internet-data-is-like-pizza-cable-company-claims-as-it-imposes-data-cap/

https://www.wowway.com/docs/wow/documents-terms-and-conditions/network-management-practices.pdf

https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r33074426-Data-Caps-just-got-the-email

[Spotty]

16 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Imagine that the WOW! network is a pizza. Piping hot. Toppings galore. Every WOW! customer gets their own slice of pizza, but the size of their slice is dependent on their Internet service plan.

I'm more confused about data caps after reading their explanation. Which plan do I buy if I don't want pineapple on my internet?

[Donut417]

1 minute ago, Spotty said:

I'm more confused about data caps after reading their explanation. Which plan do I buy if I don't want pineapple on my internet?

[RejZoR]

America officially has the shittiest internet. So much for capitalism and "market will regulate itself". It's shit. Data caps on fixed internet shouldn't be a thing. On mobile I sort of understand it because there are limitations to frequencies and bands and usually you're not as demanding on mobile devices, but on fixed connection, it's just unforgivable

 

I'm glad ISP's in my country decided to compete who will offer unlimited internet quicker and some 15 years later, that still stands true. I can hog my connection 24/7 and I won't get penalized for it in any way. It's self regulated anyway. You have users who max it 24/7 on a 400Mbps plan and you have users who have 1Tbps line for reading news and occasionally watching cat videos on Youtube at 1080p.

 

This is just lazy and greedy and shouldn't be a thing.

[WereCatf]

3 minutes ago, RejZoR said:

On mobile I sort of understand it because there are limitations to frequencies and bands and usually you're not as demanding on mobile devices

I don't agree with datacaps even there. Datacaps exist solely for the overage-fees, they do not exist for network-congestion; you don't fix congestion by limiting the overall amount of data clients can consume, you limit their speeds instead (optimally only until you've upgraded the node so it can handle the load without such measures).

 

Thankfully, most Finnish ISPs/telcos don't do datacaps on either their fixed lines or their mobile plans, including mine; I can use my mobile 100/100 4G-connection as much or as little as I need for a fixed monthly fee.

[Brooksie359]

Yeah I have to say at least they do data caps based on speed. The fact that I have the same data cap as someone who has 100mbs internet when I have 680 mbs is kinda ridiculous. What the point of having fast speed if I can't use it more than 1% of the time?

[BuckGup]

That's horrible news. We need some cyber warfare posed against ISPs

[Donut417]

6 minutes ago, BuckGup said:

That's horrible news. We need some cyber warfare posed against ISPs

Yeah and have the FBI burst thru you wall like they are the Kool Aid Guy. 

 

OH YEAH!!!!!! 

[BuckGup]

10 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Yeah and have the FBI burst thru you wall like they are the Kool Aid Guy. 

 

 

OH YEAH!!!!!! 

Yeah if you're bad at staying anonymous 

[Donut417]

6 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Is this home line internet or mobile data?

They are a Cable company. So this is wired line service. 

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, RejZoR said:

n mobile I sort of understand it because there are limitations to frequencies and bands and usually you're not as demanding on mobile devices, but on fixed connection, it's just unforgivable

 

Funny enough the Top Cellular providers dont really have caps and overages. Yeah at about 25 - 50 Gigs they might "Deprioritize"  Your data, but they dont really penalize you for going over. 

58 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

I don't agree with datacaps even there. Datacaps exist solely for the overage-fees, they do not exist for network-congestion; you don't fix congestion by limiting the overall amount of data clients can consume, you limit their speeds instead (optimally only until you've upgraded the node so it can handle the load without such measures).

And thats the reason I think WOW got caught off guard and their network cant handle the traffic. So instead of saying "Well we fucked up" they intend to punish the customer. Because in their logic, customers will either A) Pay the overages OR B) watch their usage. My household is part of the B category as Comcast charges overages as well. Now one thing I didnt see is if they will have an "Unlimited" upgrade option like Comcast has. If they have an unlimited option then its 100% a money grab. BUT on the flip side, even though Comcast has caps they have been upgrading their network at least. So I guess the guys paying for Unlimited are at least helping us out a little. 

 

My thing is, what are states going to do? The North East literally cried like babies when Comcast tried to cap them, even though the rest of us have had caps on Comcast for years. States were taking notice and it sounded like possible legislation could happen. The fact is State government  can regulate just like the Federal Government. Especially after California won that Federal Case that upheld its Net Neutrality law. WOW operates in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The issue is out of those states Michigan could be the only one who would consider something, and even then our governor Bless her heart, is not well liked due to the restrictions. However, I wonder if one of the more progressive states might carry the torch for either No caps Or Requiring ISP's to have their meters regularly inspected by state officials. Thats the big thing, NONE of these meters have been inspected by the government. I consider that a crime in its self. 

[StDragon]

1 hour ago, Spotty said:

I'm more confused about data caps after reading their explanation. Which plan do I buy if I don't want pineapple on my internet?

Consider yourself lucky? Because is normally extra.

[Donut417]

2 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

But I guess thats what the populace wanted if it gets by the regulators in a very democratic society

Its not by society's choice. The companies own the regulators. Plus when the administration in the White House changes every 4 to 8 years its hard to implement new regulations. Plus you got the people who believe if the government regulates the internet then the government is going to violate their civil liberties. 

 

The final straw for regulation was when the FCC rolled back Title 2. Once that happened the ISP's pretty much could do what ever they wanted. Thats now being challenged by several states who have implemented their own Net Neutrality laws. Some of these laws have a national effect as its not easy for an ISP to implement some of these policies at the state level. 

 

The biggest issue with our populace is they vote for people on maybe 1 or 2 issues. Its to the point that Candidate A could punch a baby in the face, but because they support policy A, they still get voted in to office. 

[AndreiArgeanu]

So what happens if you go over the 5 over charge charge's per month? Do they just cut your internet?

[Donut417]

4 minutes ago, AndreiArgeanu said:

So what happens if you go over the 5 over charge charge's per month? Do they just cut your internet?

If its like Comcast, No, they just stop charging you. I would imagine that if you kept going over they might force you on to a business plan. 

[Donut417]

Just now, huilun02 said:

If that is not what they are doing, then would it not be failure on part of the people?

How is it a failure when half the people think the government is doing a good job and the other half hate the job that the government is doing? We dont have a middle ground in the US. Id say majority of people in the US have some political party that they support. Then there is the few like me that are swing voters, who vote based on the merit of the candidate. 

 

The problem like I said is the President changes every 4 to 8 years. They set the tone for policy for each Federal Agency. Some candidates feel that deregulation is the way to go. While others want to regulate further. Then you add in the corporate money being funneled in to candidates pockets, that further complicates the issue. To be honest "The People" dont have shit for authority. Its the corporations that make the rules. 

 

Our only hope is for State governments to take charge. States have the "Right" to regulate businesses within their borders. With each state having its own Regulations it would be a logistical nightmare for the ISPs. Because as AT&T found out when California instituted its Net Neutrality law, they had to stop zero rating HBO Max for AT&T Wireless customers. There was no way for them to just stop doing it within the California boarder. As a result AT&T customers are pissed, but good. Now more states need to start regulating. Then ISP's will be begging the FCC for Federal Regulations. 

[Vanderburg]

4 hours ago, RejZoR said:

So much for capitalism and "market will regulate itself".

You realize the regulation allowed the regional monopolies, right?

[Donut417]

1 minute ago, Vanderburg said:

You realize the regulation allowed the regional monopolies, right?

I would argue that it did not. 

 

Back when dialup existed no one could possible knew what the internet would become. When Cable TV became a thing many communities agreed to give exclusive rights to a provider so they would wire up the city for cable TV. At that time the Docsis standard didnt exist. No one know what Cable or DSL was and thats just how it was. When cable internet became a thing these cable Co's had an exclusive rights agreement. So other providers could not come in. By the time some of these agreements expired they providers already had territories setup. 

 

Some would argue that it was lack of regulations that caused the regional monopolies. Some also would argue that some of the larger providers are colluding with each other to keep things the way they are. This way they can instate data caps, price increases and such and give customers little to no choice. 

 

Also there are little to no regulations on the internet itself or providers of internet. POTS has regulations. Cable TV has regulations. But internet has little to no regulation. Why do you think AT&T and Verizon are trying to get out from under their copper network? Because once POTS is dead, they dont have to follow those regulations. 

 

The biggest issue with most of these companies is that they offer TV, Phone, Internet, Wireless and own media companies. Case in point Comcast owns NBC/Universal, AT&T owns Warner Media and HBO. In some cases this gives these companies an unrestricted advantage. Which is why California told AT&T they couldn't zero rate their HBO Max service for AT&T wireless customers, because all other video providers were under the cap. Where providers like TMobile pretty much Zero rate most video traffic from most service with the caveat that the streaming will be reduced to DVD quality. 

 

This video is probably the most honest about US ISP's. 

 

[leadeater]

So the smallest cap is 1TB but the overage charging is on a per 50GB basis, holy crap that's so out of wack. That's less than 0.05% of your data cap, ISP's yet again inventing currency printing press.

[asquirrel]

35 minutes ago, Vanderburg said:

You realize the regulation allowed the regional monopolies, right?

I wish playing EVE Online was a requirement for believing in the Free Market, so that people would actually understand what a free market was.

 

21 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

I would argue that it did not. 

 

Back when dialup existed no one could possible knew what the internet would become. When Cable TV became a thing many communities agreed to give exclusive rights to a provider so they would wire up the city for cable TV. At that time the Docsis standard didnt exist. No one know what Cable or DSL was and thats just how it was. When cable internet became a thing these cable Co's had an exclusive rights agreement. So other providers could not come in. By the time some of these agreements expired they providers already had territories setup. 

 

Some would argue that it was lack of regulations that caused the regional monopolies. Some also would argue that some of the larger providers are colluding with each other to keep things the way they are. This way they can instate data caps, price increases and such and give customers little to no choice. 

 

Also there are little to no regulations on the internet itself or providers of internet. POTS has regulations. Cable TV has regulations. But internet has little to no regulation. Why do you think AT&T and Verizon are trying to get out from under their copper network? Because once POTS is dead, they dont have to follow those regulations. 

 

The biggest issue with most of these companies is that they offer TV, Phone, Internet, Wireless and own media companies. Case in point Comcast owns NBC/Universal, AT&T owns Warner Media and HBO. In some cases this gives these companies an unrestricted advantage. Which is why California told AT&T they couldn't zero rate their HBO Max service for AT&T wireless customers, because all other video providers were under the cap. Where providers like TMobile pretty much Zero rate most video traffic from most service with the caveat that the streaming will be reduced to DVD quality. 

 

This video is probably the most honest about US ISP's. 

 

See, so the problem you're having here is that time to establish yourself = not a regulation problem = regulations can't fix. But that's backwards.

 

If you wanted to open up an ISP tomorrow, could you? Yes! Great, how could you run internet to the homes? Well, the apartment buildings would be the first places you'd want to offer service to, since they are high density. But those have exclusive contracts with the incumbant ISP, so you have to go after individual homes. OK. Fine. So to get to the homes you either need to piggyback existing infrastrucutre (fiber/copper/etc) or build your own.

 

You try to piggyback and the incumbent says "nuh uh uh! I built that, nobody can use it but me!" and depending on where you live the law either says "lul no" or "yup". But a regulation exists either way. So you go to lay your own because the regulations say you must get permits.

 

But when you apply for permits, the incumbent pays off the clerk to slow down your processing, and they sue you saying "We can't get a permit there, why can they!" The incumbent uses the regulations against you, and cites regulations, often ones they helped get created, to ensure you cannot build out your infrastructure. In the end, you give up, having spent millions on lawyers and countless days in court. You never got to service more than a dozen or so homes.

 

That is how regulation, or rather in this case, regulatory capture, actually works. It prevents competition, not outright, but via 'death by 1000 cuts'. In EVE: Online regulation exists in the form of game rules. "The recipe for EMP L is X." Nobody can cheat that recipe. They can research it and reduce the material cost, but nobody can sub out extra tritanium for isogen. Nobody can make the casings 1mm smaller, or thinner, to save a buck. Nobody can rebrand Phased Plasma rounds as EMP rounds. Etc. The regulations are finite rules that say you absolutely cannot do something, and they are enforced.

 

But everything else? That's open to optimization. Researching the BPO? Go for it. Building in a citadel (formerly tower) instead of an NPC station? Save a buck at the cost of a buck. Get minerals from some newbies who want to mine and don't realize how to make money? Save on inputs! Say 'screw production' and just place buy orders for super cheap in mission hubs hoping to scoop up items from noobs who don't know better or ppl who are lazy? Fair game!

 

And that's the difference. ANYONE in EVE can get into ammo production and make money at it. But few people do because the margins are so razor thin. Capital production is where the real money is at, and even that anyone can get into with enough time and money. That is a true free market. Nobody can stop you without killing you. And in order to kill you, they have to catch you. Do I think producing ships should be a matter of life and death? No. Rather, I'm saying that life and death is the only way they can even try to stop you within the game, and, realistically, in real life too (see; Daniel Carnegie). That's how a free market is actually supposed to work. It's supposed to ensure competition is thriving by only regulating the specifications of what must be designed or produced, but not how.

 

Many regulations now exist purely to stifle competition.

[poochyena]

I just canceled my WOW internet a few months ago and switched to google fiber after I found out WOW increased my monthly bill without notifying me. again.

46 minutes ago, Vanderburg said:

You realize the regulation allowed the regional monopolies, right?

Thats why you change the regulations to promote competition.

[Kisai]

5 hours ago, RejZoR said:

America officially has the shittiest internet. So much for capitalism and "market will regulate itself". It's shit. Data caps on fixed internet shouldn't be a thing.

They weren't originally. @home network then imploded and all the cable companies had to build their own stuff. It's been literately two decades and ISP's still haven't learned their mistakes from Napster, Kazaa and Bittorrent.

 

If things were being fair, you should only be charged for the pipe-width, not what goes over it. If you charge for both, you're effectively double-dipping. If you only need a 10mbit connection, then you should be entitled to minmax it. If you have a 1gbit connection, again, you should be entitled to minmax it. But if you are paying only for data (eg a connection that doesn't use significant bandwidth, and when it does it's extremely bursty, eg a remote system backup once a week) then you should be on the highest pipe size but paying for data from the first GB over the initial connection tariff. None of this "included data" nonsense that Wireless companies use.

 

Wireless companies should charge for data, because they have no control over the pipe size or congestion, so you want to discourage users from minmaxing it because it impairs the entire wireless sector they are in. You can't make the sectors small enough to eliminate congestion, and and some places, particuarly rural ones, one user can quite literately congest the entire downtown core.

 

Wired connections, particuarly DOCSIS cable, can still be congested, but if a cable company is charging for data after 2015, it's because they:

a) are greedy

b) are not building their networks fast enough and are using it as an excuse for bandwidth management.

 

Basically an ISP charging for data over a wired line, is a bad ISP, and for many western countries like the US and Canada, the "pipe" and "the bandwidth" are from the same company, and the ISP's want to triple-dip (pipe to the customer, bandwidth and pipe to the bandwidth provider) to crush their third party competition using their same wires.

 

[Letgomyleghoe]

4 hours ago, BuckGup said:

Yeah if you're bad at staying anonymous 

just wait till you think you're anonymous then the government will prove you wrong, no ones better at violating your privacy then the government.

[HomeBoi]

What dark ages are you living in for that to make sense? Like data caps have not been a thing in our country since ye old dial up modem, well we still have some data caps on mobile data but that is slowly also going away with most plans offering 30-100 GB per month now.

[Drama Lama]

9 hours ago, Donut417 said:

we'll automatically apply increments of 50GB for $10

oof