Level 3 Communications Issues Statement Concerning Comcast's Actions

Tue Nov 30 01:24:40 UTC 2010

On 11/29/2010 6:45 PM, Aaron Wendel wrote:
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> I think what this really boils down to is an effect of shoddy marketing.
> Access providers want to offer "unlimited" everything and don't want to have
> to go back to their customer base and say, "oh, sorry, we didn't really mean
> unlimited.  We didn't think you'd really use that much." So they are looking
> for ways of making up for the increased costs without having to look like
> idiots to their customers.
Unlimited access is already NOT unlimited access.  A transfer cap isn't 
unlimited..while Comcast has a generous cap..it's still a transfer cap.
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> My problem is, what happens if this becomes the new model?  What if Comcast
> comes to me and says, "Oh, we've noticed X Mbits originating from your
> network coming through ours.  Here's the bill of $X per bit."  What happens
> when I counter with, "Ok, and I see X bits originating from your network.
> Here's my bill, too."  Do they agree to an exchange of money for an exchange
> of bits or do I get an "F you.  Pay your bill to us and we're not giving you
> crap."
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