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Why are monthly limits on bandwidth necessary?
Managing the network is critical to ensuring that all customers have an enjoyable experience using the Internet. Charter’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) has always prohibited use that negatively impacts other users, and like most Internet providers, has established specific criteria as to acceptable use thresholds for its residential customers on a monthly basis. These limits are designed to ensure all users of the service are able to obtain optimal service levels.
How will users know if they are near or over the bandwidth usage limit? Will they be notified?
Today, in some cases, Charter may contact customers with excessive usage. Notification is currently by phone. The vast majority of Charter’s Internet customers use far less bandwidth than the thresholds set forth, and is not at risk of exceeding the stated thresholds.
How is bandwidth usage measured?
Charter uses standard network management tools that track the total volume of traffic being sent over the network. Charter also manages that traffic to ensure stability of the network and optimize Internet access speed.
What is considered to be normal residential bandwidth usage?
Although it varies, the typical U.S. residential High-Speed Internet customer consumes about 15 gigabytes (GB) worth of data on a monthly basis. This includes both downstream (e.g. watching a YouTube video) and upstream (e.g. sending email) usage.
What does that mean? What is a gigabyte?
A gigabyte is a measure of electronic storage capacity equal to 1000 megabytes or1 billion bytes. Much like fuel for your car is measured in gallons, Internet usage is measured in gigabytes (GB). For example, using 15 GB in a month you could download a High-Definition movie, download two standard definition movies, watch hundreds of YouTube videos, download 250 songs, send 300 emails with 2MB attachments, surf general webpages each day, and online game for an hour every day.
When bandwidth usage is monitored, are online activities also reviewed?
The purpose of the bandwidth use limits is to ensure optimal service levels for all customers, not to monitor Internet activity.
What happens if I exceed the bandwidth usage limit?
Charter may contact you to discuss options. You may be able to upgrade to a higher bandwidth limit that would better suit your needs. Charter will also discuss possible causes of the high bandwidth usage, some of which you may not be aware.
Is there anything that could cause my computer to use a lot of bandwidth inadvertently?
If your computer is using high levels of bandwidth, it is very possible that it is due to an unsecured WiFi connection, a virus, or another compromise. www.Charter.com/security provides helpful information on how to keep your home computer secure.
What counts as bandwidth use?
All use of the Internet data modem, no matter what the application.