The Loop:
Comcast will trial its new data usage management policy, starting with new tiered “usage allotments.” The good news is that everyone will get more bandwidth to play with: 300 GB per month, up from 250 GB. Users who opt for Comcast’s Blast and Extreme services will have higher allotments, and users who require additional bandwidth will be charged $10 per 50 GB.
Seems reasonable enough. Just like with mobile data plans, it makes sense that people who use more data should pay more. $10 for an additional 50GB also strikes me as a fair price.
On the other hand, Comcast has been accused of violating the FCC’s net neutrality rules:
Comcast doesn’t count data transmitted through the Xfinity app against the user’s bandwidth cap, unlike similar software from other companies, including HBO and Netflix.
Let’s hope the new data policy also represents the beginning of a move away from such shady behavior.