"Acceptable use" policies surprise Internet users

Comcast, a major provider of Internet access, has come under fire for shutting customers off if they violate an unstated "acceptable use" policy.

The Boston Globe tells the story of Amanda Lee, whose service was shut down in February after she had apparently downloaded too much content.

How much is too much? Comcast never said. Users whose service was cut off:

...admit to activities that devour bandwidth, like downloading movie and television shows, listening to Internet radio, or making video calls. But they also said they weren't given clear guidelines about how to remedy the situation and were told repeatedly that there was no download limit, even though they were warned that they were downloading too much.

The article reinforces the need for better Internet infrastructure. Aptly describing high-speed Internet access as a "lifeline," the article goes on to emphasize that this problem will increase as video and other high-bandwidth uses become more prevalent.

"Legitimately, everybody's going to be a bandwidth hog sooner or later, because that's what the Internet is, going forward," said Linda Sherry of Consumer Action.

With better, faster technology like fiber optic lines, Internet networks will be able to handle this kind of use.

Boston Globe: "Not So Fast," Say Internet Providers