Is "Unlimited" really unlimited?

There is something that disturbs me about "unlimited" internet. Is is really so? I think not.

First of all, as the regulars here knows, I've posted a couple threads complaining about my ISP, Time Warner. I originally had Road Runner Lite, somewhere around 1.5mbps (when downloading, Firefox was displaying around 178KB/sec.). Then I decided I wanted more, and for $12 extra monthly, I was moved to 7mbps. But never once did I see that speed, the best that I could do at speedtest.net was around 5.5mbps.

Over the last few months, my downloading has increased a lot, and lately, dramatically. It's no secret that I'm a TechNet Plus member, and I've upgraded both of my computers very well. For about a week, I hardly downloaded at all. Then about four days ago, I decided to download Vista SP2 64 bit. It took over six hours to download. That's right, six hours. And it wasn't prime time, either. I mean, how many users are on the net at 11:00PM thru 2:00AM?

So I began to be suspicious of my ISP of "governing" or "throttling" my speed. I told my neighbor (my landlord) that I was having trouble and asked if they were. They said no. They have what I originally had, Road Runner Lite. They are very good to me and my wife, and offered me use of their wireless, if I had trouble.

So with that offer in hand, I put my ISP to the test to see what was going on. I used my desktop on my connection, and my notebook on theirs. Keep in mind that I'm paying for over four times the speed as them. I downloaded the latest copy of Ubuntu (32 & 64 bit), the size isn't that much different. I started them both at 11:00PM on Thursday night, my laptop finished first, by over an hour. They both were downloaded by the same mirror (University of Tennessee). And the 64 bit one was downloaded to my notebook, it was about 100MB larger, which isn't that much different, but I was giving my ISP the benefit of the doubt. My speed was fluctuating up and down badly.

Then, I went to reading my customer service agreement with Time Warner. Turns out, they have what is known as an "acceptable use policy", meaning that if my use adversely impacted the service for everyone, they can place limits on my speed, to the point where I can only use so much bandwidth over a 24 hour period.

What kind of way is this for a company to treat their customers? I haven't made my mind up as to where to go next, but this is my last month with Warner. I'll probably go back to Cricket temporary, there's another wireless called Clear, they have 4G for $40/monthly, plus taxes. They say that their speed is around 6mbps. I need to buy the modem, it costs more than a 3G one does. But they claim 4 times faster speeds than 3G. And they also have the acceptable use policy, but they call and warn you prior to choking your connection.

Anyone else have these same problems? Even AT&T has this same provision in their agreement. I always thought that unlimited meant as much as I wished to.

The subject has come up before, Cat, in a thread we were in. As I said then, the catch was the guarantee "Up to (speed)"
But putting that aside. Have you tried using one of the free download managers. They do wonders. They work on the same principal as torrents, but legally.
You will get other suggestions, I am sure, but I use one called "Free Download Manager"
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/

I think that I've seen this as a addon for Firefox before. I'll try that. But if my ISP is playing tricks on me, what good will it do. But I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

I've added a addon within Firefox called "Down Them All!", so far, so good. It's tearing through this Ubuntu download that I've already done. So far, it's at 38% complete in only a few minutes. The estimated time for the whole download is 16.30 minutes. But keep in mind that this is Sunday morning. I'll do another tomorrow evening, the time of night that gives me problems (11:00PM). Really, no one should be having speed problems at that time, and is the whole point of my thread.

I know, and respect the fact that there is more users than I on the net. We should all have equal access to the service. Which is precisely why I wait until late to do my work, I don't mind the late hours. But how many users am I really depriving at that time of night? Maybe some kids are downloading music or whatever, but the system shouldn't be under strain after 11PM.

I find this amazing, using Down Them All, I completed this 711.52MB download in barely over 14 minutes. When without the manager it would have taken well over an hour, and that's if I'm lucky. Well, over the next few nights, I'll find out just how fast I'm running then. Somehow or the other, it must be bypassing Time Warner's "throttler" on me. There is a PayPal donation place on the manager, if it can sustain these speeds, I'll gladly give them a few bucks.

Cat

Cat - how these download managers work is that they usually connect to more than one thread or download site offering the same download. They connect and then search the web and connect that way, if I'm not mistaken.

Maybe davehc has some input on this too. When used to use IDM Internet Download Manager and FlashGet, that's how they worked.

I need to download another Linux distro and I'll try one of the free ones to see how it goes.

Yes Nibiru. That is exactly how they work. As with the "peers" in torrent programs. It is worth looking through the options. You can limit, or delimit, the number of mirrors you use at one time. On a low spec computer, it can often speed up the process by accepting the default,or even lowering it a little.

You may also want to download OpenDNS Updater. You can download it from www.opendns.com. This program changes your DNS Server from your ISP's and also protects from Phishing.

I'm going to give davehc's suggestion a try, I've downloaded it already, what I was doing was giving Firefox's d/l manager a chance, since it was a quick addon. But after the first two downloads with it, the SOS took over again. I was downloading both versions of Slackware 13.1 (32 & 64 bit). They both are over 4GB long. It ripped through the first half of the first one (the 64 bit one), but then after an hour and 2GB later, it reared it's ugly head again, it took a total of 6 hours to complete the task, though one half of it was complete within an hour. FF's d/l manager will get no donation from me.

But one way or the other, my service with Warner expires 6/22, and by then, I'll have every major Linux OS at my disposal. I'll get my money's worth, one way or the other.

Cat - it looks like TW was watching your DL and throttled you at near the end.

Figures... my ISP, Grande Communications here in Central Texas will usually throttle during peak and business hours but after midnight they don't.

I've installed the program that davehc recommended, and going to give it a shot. Seems as though I've had the program before, mabye with Verizon Wireless. What drew my attention was the download symbol in the right hand corner of my screen, I've had it before. But I don't recall the results (it was on a notebook that I had three years ago). However, it probably is better than it was then, so I'm going to give it a couple of shots.

But why does the ISP's make you go through this s**t, only to get what we pay for? As I've stated in an earlier post, I respect those who needs the net during the day, and reserve my long downloads for late at night. But still I get screwed over. If I'm doing my work late at night, who am I taking from? Warner is just f*****g with me over my complaining to them, that's all. When I can connect to my neighbor's router and download faster than with mine, despite the fact that I pay for four times the speed, that proves it. Because when they want, I can rip through 3GB downloads in an hour and a half. But it's been awhile since I've seen those speeds, except for a brief period this morning.

I've accepted the fact that Warner doesn't want my business anymore, but I'll do anything to get the last drop out of them. Why? Because if they only wanted me to have 5GB of data, they should have told me so. Even in their "AUP" that I described earlier, there was no set cap, only a notice to those who places a severe burden on the network at peak times. And I've bent over backwards to not place a huge strain on the network during peak times. Web browsing, updating & small downloads, yes. But Linux discs and TechNet OS's & other products, no.

And when I switch, or simply leave, I intend to speak with someone in charge about the issue(s) that I've had. Along with a report to the state's attorney general's office, to let them know what I've been through, and make a claim of false advertising against them. After all, you go to an "all you can eat" restaurant, that's what it's supposed to be, is all you can eat. I worked with a man who was asked to leave such an establishment, because he was on his way to his 6th plate. He told them the he would go, but not pay, because what was promised was not delivered. The police were called. And the matter was resolved promptly, if they were going to leave the sign posted, promising you all you wanted, then they would respond to no more such calls over it. They gave the owner a choice, let the man eat and pay, or show him the door and that's the end of it. By this time, the place was crowded, and the owner was clearly embarrassed. This was a very popular and respected establishment. The situation was resolved by the owner letting the man eat for free, then he got a gift certificate for two to come back. I saw the certificate myself, and there was a write up in the local newspaper over it.

Like the man above, I only want what I pay for. 50 to 60GB of data monthly isn't going to break a company's back. My TV service is in the package, and I don't even watch it. The only time it's turned on is when my granddaughter comes over, once or twice a month. What about all of the couch potatoes that looks at TV all day, then when the parents or spouse pulls in, they hurry and grab a broom like they were working. Surely that TV consumed a lot of data, too. Where's the abuse clause there?

I suppose that I've ranted enough on this issue, but I'm only telling the truth. If a service promises you all you want, that's the way it should be, as simple as that. I'm ordering my wife a Cricket cell phone early next week, all of our services were tied into that bundle. For $30/monthly, plus sales tax, you can use the phone all you want. Their motto is "where unlimited means unlimited". That motto is about to be tested, as my wife is a heavy phone talker. But I'll let her do her own complaining if it doesn't work out. She is more forceful about the issue than I am, and usually gets results. But she won't get involved over my internet issue, she's one of those anti-computer people. Thanks to all for your suggestions for my problem, and if the one that davehc doesn't work out, brkkab123 offered one to try, too.

Cat