Charter to Add Bandwidth Caps

Via DSLReports.com

Charter’s Eric Ketzer confirmed the plans, and informed us that Charter’s new, $140 60Mbps tier will not have any limitations. Speeds of 15Mbps or slower will have a 100GB monthly cap, while 15-25Mbps speeds will have a 250GB monthly cap. “In order to continue providing the best possible experience for our Internet customers, later this month we will be updating our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to establish monthly residential bandwidth consumption thresholds,” Ketzer confirms. “More than 99% of our customers will not be affected by our updated policy, as they consume far less bandwidth than the threshold allows,” he says.

I really have a hard time believing that less than 1% that is creating enough of a disruption for the company to put some sort of limit.  In the 21st century, we seem to be moving from “unlimited” internet plans and text messaging rates to more expensive capped plans.  I would like it more if they were honest and said, “We do not have the resources to give everybody unlimited plans as advertised,” but instead I feel like we’re being lied to.  If they cannot offer the products and services they are advertising, don’t advertise it.  Plain and simple.  Curiosity got to me so I went on Charter.com’s website to see if they had any updates or information there.  Surprise, they didn’t.  The following conversation is brought to you by their “Chat Live” button:

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative
from High-Speed Internet Order Inquiries will be with you shortly.
You have been connected to CVW Carlos .
CVW Carlos : My name is Carlos. Thank you for contacting Charter Communications. How may I assist you?
Anthony Hook: Hello. I have heard that Charter is going to cease “unlimited” bandwidth for its customers that don’t have the 60mb plan, is this true?
CVW Carlos : For that, I suggest for you to chat with our internet support. May I transfer you?
Anthony Hook: Sure.
CVW Carlos : Thank you for choosing Charter Communications. Answers to frequently asked questions and self help options can be found by looking in the “Customer Help” menu at www.charter.com. If you have further questions, please chat back with us again. Our chat support is available from 7 AM through 2 AM central time, 365 days a year. Have yourself a great day!
CVW Carlos has left the session.
Please wait while we find an agent from the CHAT – DUMA – HSD Support department to assist you.
You have been connected to TTD Wilmar .
TTD Wilmar : Thank you for contacting the Charter High Speed Internet Chat Support. My name is Wilmar. How may I assist you today?
Anthony Hook: Hello. I have heard that Charter is going to cease “unlimited” bandwidth for its customers that don’t have the 60mb plan, is this true?
TTD Wilmar : Let me check on that.
TTD Wilmar : Before anything else, may I please have your name and phone number you have listed on your account? Also, please verify the last four digits of your Social Security Number and service address with the zip code.
Anthony Hook: Well, I don’t have an account at this time.
TTD Wilmar : Yes, we have launched its Charter High-Speed® Internet Ultra60.
TTD Wilmar : May I please have your services address?
Anthony Hook: I am in Superior, WI
TTD Wilmar : We have launched it in selected areas within the company’s St. Louis, MO, market.
Anthony Hook: I am trying to get information if I would like to sign up for Charter internet in the future, I also have family and friends that ask me about internet services that I would recommend and I have heard that Charter is going to start capping monthly bandwidth usage.
TTD Wilmar : Anthony, I may refer you to our internet sales department for more information about this new product.
TTD Wilmar : Would that be okay?
Anthony Hook: They transferred me to yourself. I am not interested in this new product, I would like to know a little more about this monthly bandwidth cap.
TTD Wilmar : Anthony, I will give you some benefits and feature of this product.
TTD Wilmar : Features/Benefits:

• Upload speed is 5 Mbps which is up to 39 times as fast as a 128/768 Kbps DSL connection.
• Download speeds of up to 60 Mbps and provides customers with the ability to quickly and reliably perform advanced functions such as downloading music and movies; uploading photos; and online gaming – all of which demand higher speeds to have the best Internet experience.
• More speed offers customers an overall better Internet experience – streaming video is smooth and uninterrupted.
• Download music/photos, watch a movie trailer and surf the Internet all at the same time.

Anthony Hook: Wilmar, I am not interested in this product as I have previously stated.
TTD Wilmar : Okay, I am sorry.
Anthony Hook: If you cannot answer my question, that is fine.
Anthony Hook: Is this assumption correct?
TTD Wilmar : One moment please.
TTD Wilmar : Anthony, I am sorry. As per checked on my resources there is no update with regards to bandwidth cap with our internet service.
Anthony Hook: Okay, thanks for your time, Wilmar.
TTD Wilmar : Thank you for choosing Charter Communications. Answers to frequently asked questions and self-help options can be found by looking in the “Customer Help” menu at www.charter.com. If you have further questions, please chat with us again. Our Chat Support is available from 7:00 AM through 1:30 AM Central Time, 365 days a year. Again, this is Wilmar. Have a great day!