Globe moves to cap Internet data volume

[ong76win2]

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Globe moves to cap Internet data volume
04/05/2011 | 04:39 PM

Without any law to prevent its adoption, Ayala-led telco Globe Telecom has decided to invoke the “fair use" doctrine in imposing a data limit on the Internet subscription of its customer as a supposed way to curb unrestrained use of just a few broadband users.

Globe’s move, first reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was contained in a press statement issued by the company over the weekend.

The data volume limit, according to the Inquirer, “would affect only users who download data in excess of 1 gigabyte a day."

By adopting a “fair use" policy, Globe said it can “promote a more responsible way of using the Internet that will ensure fair and optimum usage of its broadband services across all subscribers."

In a recent analysis, Globe said only 5 percent use 80 percent of the available broadband network bandwidth, leaving only 20 percent of the capacity to be shared by 95 percent of the remaining users.

The issue on data volume capping remains a contentious topic in the industry, with local telcos pushing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to impose it as a formal regulatory rule.

The agency, however, has already announced that it will not include any provision on data capping on a circular it is currently drafting on the minimum broadband speed in the country.

This is not the first time, however, that a broadband provider has adopted a data usage ceiling. San Miguel-owned Liberty Telecoms, which operates wi-tribe, has been offering WiMax services that have data limits. Lopez-owned firm SkyCable, through its broadband service unit, also recently rolled out a 5-Mbps Internet offering with 15-GB threshold.

Saying network bandwidth is a finite resource, Globe said “it is necessary to adopt a policy that promotes responsible and fair use of the Internet to prevent abuse and misuse of services from a relatively smaller group of consumers."

“Moreover, the policy aims to preserve the quality of resources in order to provide subscribers with seamless, uninterrupted, and reliable internet connections," it added. “This also ensures consistency and reliability of connection for use of the greater majority of broadband subscribers."

Globe cited study done by Envisional which showed that close to 36 percent of torrent downloads was pornography and another 48 percent was movies and television shows.

The study further claimed that 23.8 percent of global Internet traffic is piracy-related and nearly one-quarter of the traffic on the Internet involves the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials such as movies, TV shows, music, and video games.

“These activities, apart from being unsecured, also utilize a significant amount of broadband network data which prohibits other subscribers to enjoy the same quality of Internet connection," the company said.

In the statement, Globe said it has partnered with a parenting group MLAC Institute for Children and Families to educate parents on how to guide their children on the proper use of Internet and computers.

“Because it is our responsibility to provide our subscribers with quality Internet services, we are doing all we can to teach our broadband users how to properly use the internet," stated Jurist Gamban, head of globe fixed broadband business.

Gamban added, “Through this forum, we are actively involving the parents in guiding their children when they access the World Wide Web. We are concerned about how children are exposed to various Internet activities, from downloads, playing games, to watching videos and doing social networking and chatting.

Without restrictions, the Internet can be a source of information not suited for children, or worse, might pose risks that will threaten their minds and own security, Gamban said. — Newsbytes.ph

Source: Globe moves to cap Internet data volume - Technology - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

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[ong76win2]

NTC should probe Globe's broadband cap -TXTPower
04/06/2011 | 06:21 PM

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. should accelerate investments to increase its network capacity instead of imposing caps on household Internet use to improve the quality of its services for subscribers, consumer group TXTPower said on Tuesday.

The group called on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to perform its own audit of Globe’s networks to see if the company’s claim of network congestion due to some “abusive users" is true.

“Globe Telecom… is not doing any good to the Philippines and its subscribers with its deceptively-labeled ‘Fair Usage Policy,’" TXTPower president Tonyo Cruz said in a statement.

“Worse, it may be a convenient way to hide problems in network capacity, quality and reliability of telcos, which is an obvious hindrance to more widespread use of the internet and social media as an enabler for stakeholders in the country’s progress," he said.

Globe last week announced that it would do away with most of its “unlimited" mobile and household Internet plans by implementing usage limits for subscribers.

This would impose a cap on the amount of data that users can download in a day to around 1 gigabyte, or the equivalent of 250 songs.

Globe claims that abusive users, who make up just 5 percent of their total user base, hog as much as 80 percent of all the network’s available bandwidth. This leaves 95 percent of the company’s subscribers to share the remaining 20 percent of bandwidth.

However, Cruz contested this claim, saying that this figure is no different from that provided in late 2010 by the Philippine Chamber of Telecom Operators.

“Both are at the very least suspect," he said.

Cruz also called on the NTC to perform its own, independent checks covering usage, current network infrastructure and both ongoing and future investments to expand both reach and bandwidth capacity of Globe and other telcos.

“Globe should be careful in referring to any of its subscribers as abusers… Those same abusers may actually be home-based online entrepreneurs, families of overseas Filipinos keeping constant touch or ‘netizens’ in the cutting-edge of surging social media in the Philippines," Cruz said.

An NTC draft memorandum earlier this year sought to allow telecom firms to impose data caps, as long as they commit to deliver certain levels of speed to subscribers. The rules were drafted amid mounting complaints of poor Internet service delivered by local companies.

Due to strong opposition from consumers, the NTC decided to delete the data cap provision from its draft rules. But there is currently no rule that bars telcos from imposing the same caps.

GMA News Online is still waiting for Globe Telecom's response to TXTPower's statement as of posting time. — TJD, GMA News

Source: NTC should probe Globe's broadband cap -TXTPower - Technology - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

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[ingkiang]

bang...nganu ang pldt wla man mglikramo...

[DeathFox]

And in the future they will charge you if you pass the 1GB mark.
"Fair Usage Policy" my ass, more like "Business Plan made by aholes" Policy

[kulas24]

WTF.. wala gani cla ka fix sa ilang service.. mag bandwith capping na hnoun cla..

Maau unta og dli mosunod ang PLDT sa kahakog sa globe.

[reptoid]

The end of an era! Prepare to get screwed over as their competitors soon decide to also start improving their bottom line at our expense. 1GB daily allowance? Damn Nazis!

[kazki]

What the F*ck?!!! This is terrible news indeed!

[haroldjizdeortega]

naunsa nani ang Globe nga wa man gani klaro na ilang connection mag cap-cap pa sila!! bongga sila ha?!?

[nyxgorf]

patay mag hilak ang mga abusado ug internet ani.. dghan mahutdan ug online jobs.. tae!

[Hot Ice]

boycott dayon mu sa GLOBE ig implement ani..

nya kung naa lain musunod, boycott napud..