Comcast customers who habitually stream video and share files over BitTorrent now have a tool to keep their bandwidth consumption in check.
The Internet service provider is rolling out an online bandwidth meter, first in Portland, OR, then in other markets. It's accessible through Comcast's Web site, in the "Customer Central" section. Comcast's meter measures all uses of Internet through a subscriber's home, from laptops to gaming consoles to Web-enabled media players such as the iPod Touch. It refreshes every three hours and over time will show the most recent three months of usage.
Comcast imposed a 250 GB monthly usage cap last year, and hopes that people who consume that much bandwidth can use the tool to "monitor and calibrate their usage," according to a statement to ZDNet. Comcast says the median customer uses 2 GB to 4 GB per month and the tool should help everyone get a sense of where they stand.
I'm surprised Time Warner Cable hasn't released a tool like this for all of its customers. Earlier this year, the company outraged customers when it announced expanded testing of tiered Internet pricing. The tiers were considerably lower than Comcast's limit, at 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB and 40 GB, with overages costing $1 per GB. The initial outcry caused Time Warner to add a 60 GB plan and a special 100 GB option at "Turbo" speeds only. But as the backlash grew, Time Warner shelved the plan, citing a need for "customer education."
If Time Warner is truly interested in educating the consumer, it'll make metering tools readily available to all customers. An article from DSL Reports last April suggested one is on the way, but so far I haven't heard anything else on the subject. I also hope Comcast rolls out its meter to other markets soon, so that everyone can be educated on how bandwidth tiers and caps would affect them.
