Comcast Disables Its Throttling System, But Keeps Data Caps In 27 States

Comcast has disabled its throttling system that was created back in 2008 during the BitTorrent controversy. This shows that it was really just a way to milk its service and bring in more cash. However, while it has disabled its throttling system, it is still keeping its data caps intact. These data caps are available in a little more than half of the States in the US, so there aren’t data caps across the board. Though Comcast’s data caps aren’t too strict. With a 1TB data cap, and you can exceed it twice before being charged penalties.

This throttling system was put in place after Comcast was caught throttling its customers that were using BitTorrent. The system was put in place to slow down heavy traffic users. So instead of slowing down Netflix or BitTorrent traffic, it was slowing down anyone using a ton of data at once. The system hadn’t really been used in the past year, so Comcast disabling it officially on June 11, was not a big deal actually. But it does show that this was all to save more money, rather than preserve its network. Comcast and many other ISPs and wireless networks have eased up on its throttling procedures in the past few years. T-Mobile is one that has gone from throttling those that use 22GB in a single month, to those that use over 50GB in a single month. That’s almost double the cap there, which shows that the throttling was not needed.

Despite disabling this throttling system, Comcast is going to be continuing to use its data caps on customers. Though, data caps are only available in 27 States right now – Comcast has been testing these out to see how well they work or don’t work – this also shows that it’s a money grab. Comcast has said that these overage fees are needed to keep its network up and running, citing that it is not an infinite resource. Which is true, but 1TB does seem awfully small for a family living under one roof, that might have several phones, computers and even TV’s connected to the same network, and could really push past that 1TB of data in a week or two. Though, Comcast does offer an unlimited plan for an additional $50, and in many cases, that would double the price of its Internet service.