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What is the policy being enforced by ISP?

ISP may be using the “Fair Access Policy” which allows ISP to put up Bandwidth caps or otherwise known as download quota. The use of the bandwidth cap is justified. For someone downloading 20gb compared to another user only using about 1/8, in order to keep the speed and service to a higher quality, a bandwidth cap may be enforced. Some common bandwidth caps start at 5 gb and above per month.

Companies are now becoming transparent with their “Fair Access Policy” and have started to remove the words “Unlimited” and “Unmetered” to their advertisements. Data plans are being sold instead such as 5-10 GB a month or depending on the budget of their subscriber.

Still there are ISPs and even Telecom companies who mislead their subscribers with advertisements of “unlimited” calls and internet browsing. Some have also abused the “Fair Access Policy” by including broad terms such as calls not being used for commercial purposes or lack of information about the bandwidth cap. Abusive companies also include highly inappropriate punishments such as total cut off from services that they advertised as unlimited or unmetered. So far no laws have been made to regulate the “Fair Access Policy” and critics have charged the policy as a way of ISPs and Telecom companies to make their subscribers spend more.

The “Fair Access Policy” should also protect the rights of the consumers. What is missing is the capability of users to monitor what they’ve used so far. Data counters should be made available reflecting accurate download and upload usage. Calls should be counted to the last second and fairer rules should be enforcing rather than broad terms that could be interpreted to the benefit of the company and not the paying subscriber.

Broadband Cap Fair Use Policy or Fair Access Policy? Part 1

Andriel, Netherlands

Trendypress.com

Internet service providers (ISP) have begun using the “Fair Use Policy” in keeping the bandwidth traffic as low as possible.

What is the “Fair Use” policy?

Interestingly, the “Fair Use” policy is a limitation and exception the the exclusive right from a copyright law. Basically, it allows someone to use copyright content in such a way that makes it legal. Example would be quoting written content. If it is written in quotation marks and with credits and link, anyone can use copyrighted written content. Another use of the “Fair Use” policy is the parody. It’s the reason why most spoof films that have scenes from famous movies, songs and plays as well as artists are untouched by copyright law.

How is the Fair Use Policy related to bandwidth caps in Internet Service Providers?

ISPs have been putting up “Fair Use” or “Fair Usage” policies without really understanding what the policy really is. As explained, fair use is only for copyrighted content.It’s role in the internet is allowing everyone to quote writings, data and even media as long as it is parodied or has credits. An example is the case of a mother posting a video of her child dancing to Let’s Go Crazy by Prinnce. Universal Music enforced the  Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DCMA) and had Youtube remove the video. The mother was able to successfully return the video after reminding Youtube that it was within the scope of the Fair Use policy and successfully sue Universal Music for acting in bad faith.

Broadband Cap Fair Use Policy or Fair Access Policy? Part 2

Andriel, Netherlands

Trendypress.com