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Data caps and streaming

maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
Original poster
May 3, 2009
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Streaming is definitely heating up but with my cable provider (comcast) imposing data caps, it got me thinking. if anything could pour cold water on streaming its data caps. As I mentioned, Comcast is rolling out its data caps and my area will be under the data caps in January. At the end of November I consumed about 800GB of data, where as the data cap is 1.2 TB. Without streaming I'm near the top of the limit, and my usage isn't terribly unique, I'm working from home, as my kids are remote learning.

Thoughts on how popular streaming will be and how data caps could complicate matter?
 
It certainly is a concern. Especially 4K streaming. Regular HD streaming can get quite a few hours of streaming in.

Comcast does have an option for unlimited data for an additional $50 a month. This is nothing new. I think their previous data cap was 1TB a month. I guess they just rolled it out to more markets.

You could look at other providers. I've got AT&T fiber optic service with unlimited data.
 
I was concerned about the caps too, but for the past three months we’ve used 650, 750 and 760 gigs with four of us running pretty much all day. I don’t think we’ll hit the 1.2 TB limit.
 
velocityg4 said:
You could look at other providers.
Click to expand...
Sadly, like many other towns/cities in Massachusetts, Comcast has an exclusivity contract with my town. The only option to my knowledge is DSL and in 2020/2021 that's simply isn't feasible
 
maflynn said:
Sadly, like many other towns/cities in Massachusetts, Comcast has an exclusivity contract with my town. The only option to my knowledge is DSL and in 2020/2021 that's simply isn't feasible
Click to expand...

Take a look at that contract then. It should be a public record. They may not be allowed to cap the data. Years ago my dad nailed Comcast with one of those exclusivity contracts. They didn't want to run cable to his house. Since he was too far away. But the county contract said they had to run cable to anyone who wants it. If there was something like five or six houses within a one mile stretch of the person requesting cable. They had to run a cable line several miles at no charge. Just for him to get cable and internet.

Even if they have an exclusivity contract. It's probably just for cable. A fiber optic provider could probably come in.

You could always try to become a beta tester for Starlink. Hopefully that competing with Amazon's eventual satellite fleet will mean no data caps. I know there's a couple others trying to start up. But they'll probably just get gobbled up by Amazon or someone else. Since Space X already has a huge head start and Amazon has seemingly unlimited funds.
 
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maflynn said:
Thoughts on how popular streaming will be and how data caps could complicate matter?
Click to expand...

I actually saw a discussion on Comcast data caps (before I saw this thread) on a YouTube video this morning when I woke up.

I don't think that it will be an issue for a majority of households but it will affect a great many.

 
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maflynn said:
Streaming is definitely heating up but with my cable provider (comcast) imposing data caps, it got me thinking. if anything could pour cold water on streaming its data caps. As I mentioned, Comcast is rolling out its data caps and my area will be under the data caps in January. At the end of November I consumed about 800GB of data, where as the data cap is 1.2 TB. Without streaming I'm near the top of the limit, and my usage isn't terribly unique, I'm working from home, as my kids are remote learning.

Thoughts on how popular streaming will be and how data caps could complicate matter?
Click to expand...

With unlimited i don't think it would matter.. I dunno about U.S, but here in Australia, that would be a solution, for consumers..

For those who make the service possible... i guess there would be no way out
 
I’m on a Suddenlink Account, 100GB download speed unlimited data for $65 a month. With relying on streaming for most of my content seperare from my cable provider, unlimited data seems like a must. Sudden link got purchased by someone, the name eludes me. I need to see if they have any deals for established customers.
 
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