Comcast derps again...

[DuckDodgers]

Since digital distribution is the primary content delivery method for games (and apps) for millions of PC users, now apparently it's starting to show on Comcast's radar as bandwidth hog, sort of:
 
Comcast thinks Steam download is a virus or “too heavy”

 

 

A Comcast subscriber who wanted to know why his Internet service disconnected when trying to use Steam was offered a bizarre explanation by a customer service representative who had apparently never heard of the popular video game distribution software.

"It’s probably a virus or it could be that it’s too heavy and it’s interrupting the Internet. Those are the only two things I can think about," the rep told a customer who posted a recording of the call.

 

The customer was apparently trying to download a game through Steam when his Internet connection stopped working. He also described the problem on reddit, saying that his 50Mbps Comcast service would initially provide 6Mbps downloads on Steam before quickly "zeroing out." Re-starting the download led to the same result.

 

After hearing a description of the problem, the Comcast rep said, "I would recommend you to make sure the Wi-Fi is secure because it could be a virus trying to get into your computer."

 

I hope they don't think of pulling a "Netflix" case on Valve some day.  
 

[Tro]

What the hell. That is just absolutely motherfucking stupid lol. 

[Mooshi]

This is why the old dinosaurs need to drop dead and make room for people who actually is aware what is going on around them.

[StingBull]

Comcast logic: Something that is using the bandwidth we gave to you which you paid for? Must be a virus.

[sof006]

Another reason why I like UK ISP's. They don't do stupid shit.

[AlexGoesHigh]

Comcast logic: Something that is using the bandwidth we gave to you which you paid for? Must be a virus.

more like ignorant sales rep logic

 

also i wont be surpised if comcast starts to harass valve for money because it "uses to much bandwith" -__-

[StingBull]

more like ignorant sales rep logic

 

also i wont be surpised if comcast starts to harass valve for money because it "uses to much bandwith" -__-

 

I don't think Valve would give a shit. They would just release a statement saying "Your ISP sucks, deal with it" 

 

Downloading a game on Steam doesn't have to be as immediate as streaming something on Netflix.

[FalconPDX]

I had this happen to me a few months ago.  I thought it was the Steam download servers being shitty.  Next time it happens, Comcast is going to be getting an earful.

[AlexGoesHigh]

I don't think Valve would give a shit. They would just release a statement saying "Your ISP sucks, deal with it" 

 

Downloading a game on Steam doesn't have to be as immediate as streaming something on Netflix.

true but is good damn annoying to have to wait 8 hours for a game to download, this is happening to me right (to be clear i'm not in the US i just have a straight shitty connection from my isp) and people will start to complain about it, when they see their games take forever to download, at some point if comcast does what i'm thinking it will do, its going to reach a point that there's enough people complaining that something must be done

[flibberdipper]

What the hell is wrong with you Comcast?

[Socky]

Comcast needs to like chill. They have no chill.

[brownninja97]

Honestly man what the heck is wrong with comcast, they are a shameful company.

[Trik'Stari]

Prepare your sphincters comcast, for you are going to draw the ire of

(Let the stare burn their souls, if they even have any)

[Bouvie_11]

Wow comcast just went full retard. How retarded is their technical knowledge let alone their shocking customer service!

[Darkkmello]

is it just me or is the recording gone?

 

I was looking forward to listening

[shujin]

well this is great news \sarcasm

[Trik'Stari]

Edit: Also, OP, BEST NAME EVER

[Nomelas]

What really urks be about a lot of ISPs (Quite frankly I don't have this issue with any ISP in my area) is if they charge you for specific tiers of internet (varying speeds) then they should be delivering on those speeds regardless of traffic type. It's your right to get the exact bandwidth as advertised or else it's false advertising and there can be legal actions taken against them (at least in Canada).

 

If an ISP can't handle their customers all operating at the capacity they are paying for (at peak hours) then they need to: a) invest in upgrading infrastructure and b) offer lower tiers and higher prices on higher tiers (or get rid of them) because they can't support what they currently offer. The government needs to let competing telcos come in to areas where an ISP has a monopoly and force them to upgrade to compete with the growing market.

 

It's really quite simple and the world is fucked and Comcast/etc are the devils.

[Trik'Stari]

Just saw in the article in the OP that Comcast is trying to buy TWC. All I can say is

 

 

What really urks be about a lot of ISPs (Quite frankly I don't have this issue with any ISP in my area) is if they charge you for specific tiers of internet (varying speeds) then they should be delivering on those speeds regardless of traffic type. It's your right to get the exact bandwidth as advertised or else it's false advertising and there can be legal actions taken against them (at least in Canada).

 

If an ISP can't handle their customers all operating at the capacity they are paying for (at peak hours) then they need to: a) invest in upgrading infrastructure and B) offer lower tiers and higher prices on higher tiers (or get rid of them) because they can't support what they currently offer. The government needs to let competing telcos come in to areas where an ISP has a monopoly and force them to upgrade to compete with the growing market.

 

It's really quite simple and the world is fucked and Comcast/etc are the devils.

The issue with taking legal actions, is that if you look in your EULA, they probably have themselves covered with a statement like "X corp. reserves the right to limit and or throttle data usage based on peak usage hours, type of data, etc". I honestly think we need to pass laws stating that all legal documents must be able to be written on a single 8x11in. page. That no document, or law, can exceed this size, and that the text must be written in such a way that it is clearly legible to everyone. We need to end "fine print" and legal speak.

 

 

Crap i hope it doesn't happen to me because i have Comcast. 

It will now that you've said that.

[Clyne]

Crap i hope it doesn't happen to me because i have Comcast. 

[CyanOG]

I use Comcast they better not mess up my steam .. I Get slow downloads for steam games too 4 MB/s when my internet on speedtest gets around 30-50 MB/s depending!!!

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcny_pixDw

[Colonel_Gerdauf]

How about instead of "ISP" we instead call them "IDP"; Internet Derp Provider?

 

Can we make this an LTT thing? Because it is hilarious at this point.

[Trik'Stari]

I use Comcast they better not mess up my steam .. I Get slow downloads for steam games too 4 MB/s when my internet on speedtest gets around 30-50 MB/s depending!!!

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcny_pixDw

Kinda scary how accurate that video is.

[cubercaleb]

What really urks be about a lot of ISPs (Quite frankly I don't have this issue with any ISP in my area) is if they charge you for specific tiers of internet (varying speeds) then they should be delivering on those speeds regardless of traffic type. It's your right to get the exact bandwidth as advertised or else it's false advertising and there can be legal actions taken against them (at least in Canada).

 

If an ISP can't handle their customers all operating at the capacity they are paying for (at peak hours) then they need to: a) invest in upgrading infrastructure and B) offer lower tiers and higher prices on higher tiers (or get rid of them) because they can't support what they currently offer. The government needs to let competing telcos come in to areas where an ISP has a monopoly and force them to upgrade to compete with the growing market.

 

It's really quite simple and the world is fucked and Comcast/etc are the devils.

 

A single strand of fiber the diameter of a human hair has a maximum throughput of 100Tbps. It's a bit odd the Verizon FIOS, a fiber optic network charges the same prices for the same speeds as the other isp networks using copper is complete bs. Verizon has the bandwidth to support crap like Netflix, they just need to get there heads out of their asses. If you call and ask them to upgrade your 15mbps connection to a 500gbps connection (which they offer at a ludicrous price) all they have to do is change a setting their server software.

[noc]

People are still giving them money?