Time Warner Revises, Defends Bandwidth Caps: ‘Unlimited Usage at Turbo Speeds’ $150 Per Month

by Chris Faylor

As it continues to field test metered bandwidth usage in the U.S., internet provider Time Warner has revised, detailed and defended its current and upcoming trials.The revisions include a lower-priced entry plan and higher data caps. The company argues that tiered plans–in which customers have a set bandwidth limit and are charged if they go over–are necessary because “Internet demand is rising at a rate that could outpace capacity within a few years” and “could result in Internet brownouts.”

Overage charges will be limited to $75 per month. “That means that for $150 per month customers could have virtually unlimited usage at Turbo speeds,” said the company.

Time Warner is not alone in its hopes to bring the model, which is already used overseas, to the United States. Many worry about the impact this could have on gaming, especially as digital downloads and streaming services like OnLive gain popularity.

The company stressed that these are trials, adding “our plans will evolve as well and aren’t set in stone” and that it looks “forward to more dialogue as we… Read more