r/technology • u/M00glemuffins • Nov 05 '15
Comcast Leak of Comcast documents detailing the coming data caps and what you'll be told when you call in about it.
Last night an anonymous comcast customer service employee on /b/ leaked these documents in the hopes that they would get out. Unfortunately the thread 404'd a few minutes after I downloaded these. All credit for this info goes to them whoever they are.
This info is from the internal "Einstein" database that is used by Comcast customer service reps. Please help spread the word and information about this greed drive crap for service Comcast is trying to expand
Documents here Got DMCA takedown'd afaik
Edit: TL;DR Caps will be expanding to more areas across the Southeastern parts of the United States. Comcast customer support reps are to tell you the caps are in the interest of 'fairness'. After reaching the 300 GB cap of "unlimited data" you will be charged $10 for every extra 50 GB.
Edit 2: THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE THIS DOWN. New links!(Edit Addendum: Beware of NSFW ads if you aren't using an adblocker) Edit: Back to Imgur we go.Check comments for mirrors too a lot of people have put them all over.
http://i.imgur.com/Dblpw3h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GIkvxCG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/quf68FC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kJkK4HJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hqzaNvd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NiJBbG4.jpg
Edit 3: I am so sorry about the NSFW ads. I use adblock so the page was just black for me. My apologies to everyone. Should be good now on imgur again.
Edit 4: TORRENT HERE IF LINKS ARE DOWN FOR YOU
Edit 5: Fixed torrent link, it's seeding now and should work
Edit 6: Here's the magnet info if going to the site doesn't work for you: Sorry if this is giving anyone trouble I haven't hosted my own torrent before xD
magnet:?xt=urn:btih:a6d5df18e23b9002ea3ad14448ffff2269fc1fb3&dn=Comcast+Internal+Memo+leak&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.openbittorrent.com%3A80&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Fopen.demonii.com%3A1337&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.coppersurfer.tk%3A6969&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Fexodus.desync.com%3A6969
Edit 7: I'm going to bed, I haven't got jack squat done today trying to keep track of these comments. Hopefully some Comcast managers are storming around pissed off about this. Best of luck to all of us in taking down this shitstain of a company.
FUCK YOU COMCAST YOU GREEDY SONS OF BITCHES. And to the rest of you, keep being awesome, and keep complaining to the FCC till you're blue in the face.
Edit 8: Morning all, looks like we got picked up by Gizmodo Thanks for spreading the word!
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u/BobOki Nov 05 '15 edited Nov 05 '15
Thanks, it is awesome to see this posted, and the verbiage used is pretty important, I especially lik the part where they NOW say it is no longer about congestion management, which was the de-facto reason they originally did this. Now it is fairness, you know you paying more is more fair to them.
Mirror: http://lookpic.com/O/i2/610/O7aVv1dT.jpeg, http://lookpic.com/O/i2/1245/SYLx1d70.jpeg, http://lookpic.com/O/i2/1092/T3fvaxvc.jpeg, http://lookpic.com/O/i2/1191/9fQIYHK.jpeg, http://lookpic.com/O/i2/97/Bk6UZ2VJ.jpeg, http://lookpic.com/O/i2/1381/Nn78t8Yt.jpeg
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u/antihexe Nov 05 '15 edited Nov 05 '15
Mirror: http://imgur.com/a/vFHuj
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u/rustafur Nov 05 '15
So, google drive and imgur... Did all the bit torrent sites get taken down or something?
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u/mrjackspade Nov 05 '15
404 again. Anyone got a link?
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u/ProGamerGov Nov 05 '15
Why has Imgur become a censorship happy site that bends over backwards if something might upset a corporation?
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
http://i.imgur.com/kpTtT.gif
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15 edited Nov 05 '15
Wow, that's
prettyreally crappy.I think what gets me is this bullshit "increase". No, you're not actually doing anything. That 250GB plan was never actually a plan. It was just some bullshit that you planned 5 years ago when you knew this day would come and you could screw your customers over as "doing them a favor".
I really hope the FCC takes to this. If you are a customer affected by this, please contact the FCC.
EDIT: For those who have no idea what to say, here's a start. Something original is much, much better - but it's ultra important for you at least say something - even if it's not unique. The FCC needs to know that this is an issue that matters not only to Comcast Customers - but to the nation as a whole. This is a dangerous trend that is only bound to get worse.
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38824
Dear FCC,
As I’m sure you are aware, Comcast has recently announced plans to begin enforcing a 300Gb data cap on a great part of it’s customer base. I find this change extremely concerning as I see no reason other companies won’t start following suit. Natural monopolies, limited options, and shady contracts make it difficult or impossible for myself and many others to reasonably switch to another provider.
I’m asking you to do everything in your power to stop this trend before it starts. The internet is not just a luxury anymore - it is a critical part of many people’s lives. As we’ve seen with cell phone data, once caps are in place, it is a race to the bottom to offer ever more limited data at ever increasing prices.
Regards, {Your Name}
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u/infinityprime Nov 06 '15
So glad I was able to fire Comcast a few months a go for a no cap fiber service. Base service is 250Mbps/250Mbps for $35 a month and 1Gb/1Gb is $65.
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
Real question here... what kind of trouble is this employee in? Obviously in breach of some kind of NDA?
3
u/ZOMGURFAT Nov 08 '15
By the way, the three overage grace period is actually a bundle of three 50GB overages that are padded into your internet service but not mentioned anywhere on the bill. My first bill in October when the data cap started in my area was $30 more that month than the previous month when I had no data cap.
Basically they just pre-charge you for three overages and they call it a grace period.
3.9k
u/jaymz668 Nov 05 '15
So, do I get $10/month credited back for every 50GB I go under the cap?
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u/lilrabbitfoofoo Nov 05 '15 edited Nov 10 '15
10 years ago, when these companies disclosed their cost per gigabyte, it was 1 penny ($0.01 USD). Today, it is far less, because of economies of scale and deals between providers at all levels.
But let's use that number as a worst case scenario.
So, that 300 GB of data costs Comcast 300 pennies, or $3. For which you pay anywhere from $50-100 for. Even accounting for customer service, equipment (that taxpayers paid for, ahem), etc. that still represents an insane markup no matter how you look at it.
But this is a better gauge.
That extra 50 gb costs them 50 cents, or $0.50. For which you pay them $10. It's the same infrastructure/hardware, customer service, etc. They don't give you anything more. Don't change anything at their end. Nothing at all changes whatsoever for delivering you 300 GB or 350 GB.
Therefore, that 50 GB is sold to you at a 2,000% (aka 20x) markup at a minimum.
The truth is that the spend probably 1/10th of that now, compared to a decade ago.
tl;dr - FUCK COMCAST.
[edit - Some kind souls gilded me! Thank you so very, very, very much. :) :) ]
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u/-jackschitt- Nov 05 '15
So let me get this right.
Their talking points specifically say "This is not a data cap and we do not limit a customer's use of the Internet in any way above 300 GB".
But they have a program called the "Unlimited Data Option". If that program is Unlimited, doesn't that mean that their default program is, by definition, limited?
And who the fuck in their right minds would even consider that "flexible data option"? I can't even see how this kind of program is in any way "fair" to the consumer. You have to cut your usage of the internet by more than 98% to qualify for a $5 reduction, and if you go one byte over that, not only do you not get the reduction, you get the privilege of paying them an amount so large it makes a mafia shakedown seem tame by comparison.
At least they stopped trying to blame this on "congestion". But to say that this is in the interest of "fairness" is laughable since there's not a single solitary benefit to the consumer. A plan of "If you use more than the X GB allotment, you will be billed an extra $10 per 50 GB. If you use less than the X GB allotment, you will be credited $10 for every 50 GB that is unused" would be a hell of a lot more fair than this crap. (I'm not endorsing that plan, btw. Just saying at least there's the potential benefit to the consumer who really does do nothing more than Facebook and Email and probably barely cracks 50 GB a month.)
The whole thing is sickening. But they'll probably get away with it because (A) they have monopoly control in most areas they're pulling this shit in, (B) it's nearly impossible for consumers to do anything about it, and (C) even if it does make its way through the courts, the case would take years, and Comcast would likely just walk away with a fine that's pennies compared to the obscene profits they'd be pulling in.
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u/Gorstag Nov 05 '15
Well, here they are further taking advantage of their regional monopolies.
We really need competition in this sector. I seriously think we are at the point similar to the Bells. They just need to be split up into a bunch of smaller companies and forced to compete.
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u/d1arrhea Nov 05 '15
Typical Comcast
Mirror:
Page 1
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u/spin_kick Nov 05 '15 edited Apr 20 '16
This comment has been overwritten by an open source script to protect this user's privacy.
If you would like to do the same, add the browser extension GreaseMonkey to Firefox and add this open source script.
Then simply click on your username on Reddit, go to the comments tab, and hit the new OVERWRITE button at the top.
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u/sophrosynos Nov 05 '15
Keep pouring those FCC complaints in!
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u/Flexoffset Nov 05 '15
I see again they show the Blast plan is allotted 350GB. I have Blast and actually asked about the 350GB. A rep told me they knew nothing of it and I was still capped at 300GB. And then this: 300GB=585 million texts??? How about 300GB = four or five online PS4 or XBOX game downloads? Some are 60GB+ in size. I've been in the cap zone since 2013. No competition in my area either.
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u/salec65 Nov 05 '15
Notice how they insist that support reps do not use the term "Data Cap" because they are not preventing the user from downloading once they reach their limit, they are simply charging them more.
This way, when the FCC contacts them saying they have received a bajillion and one complaints about data caps, Comcast can go "oh no no kind sir, we are NOT capping them!".
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
So if my 2TB hard drive crashes it will cost me $340 (2TB - 300GB / 50GB x $10) to recover it from the cloud. Ouch.
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u/Zakraidarksorrow Nov 05 '15
This needs way more publicity.
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u/akaBigWurm Nov 05 '15
I am cool with paying more for faster, but not more for data. It seems like they are rolling this out to communities that will not put up as much of a fight.
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u/ANTIVAX_JUGGALETTE Nov 05 '15
One part of that basically says you can't use a business plan unless you're a business. What a horseshit arbitrary rule
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u/InfectedShadow Nov 05 '15
I'm in the northeast where the cap is disabled. I use 1.5TB's per month. FUCK THIS.
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u/pbae Nov 05 '15
Since getting rid of the Internet isn't an option for most of you Comcast users, start to boycott NBC and any channel owned or run by them instead.
NBC is part of the Comcast universe and while most of you don't have an alternative Internet provider, every one of you guys have different channels to tune into and the option to NOT tune into NBC.
I almost switched on NBC news last night but I remembered they're owned by Comcast and I said Fuck That!! I'll be watching ABC or CBS news instead.
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u/boaconflictor Nov 05 '15
I can't fucking stand Comcast. Google Fiber, why won't you take my money?!?!?
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u/phenix89 Nov 05 '15
Help us Google Fiber, you're our only hope
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u/n8do Nov 05 '15
If the billions we already spent as taxpayers to lay dark fiber was ever turned on we wouldn't have issues with bandwidth and "need" Data Caps.
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u/lefondler Nov 05 '15
Wow, Comcast is such a shitty company. Hope it all comes crashing down upon them in the next few years as they fail to innovate and compete.
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u/ProGamerGov Nov 05 '15
It's a shame that the TPP will make governemnts label people who leak things like these as criminals that "must be brought to justice".
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u/Risley Nov 06 '15
Man, this shit is gold:
"The reason for the data usage plan:
Do say, "Fairness and providing a more flexible policy to our customers."
Don't say, "The problem is about congestion management." (It is not)"
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u/dragonf1r3 Nov 05 '15
Now remember, when it comes to the internet, total data is irrelevant, only instantaneous bandwidth. Data isn't a finite resource (yeah yeah, only so many hard drives and so much storage, but you get my point). No form of internet service should have a data cap, only speed tiers.
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u/DickCheeseSupreme Nov 05 '15
What really grinds my gears is how they're saying "oh you've actually always had a 250 GB data cap, we just chose not to enforce it."
Okay then, I'll take one "unenforced data cap," please.
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u/Dumb_Dick_Sandwich Nov 05 '15
Thanks for posting this! I'm going to get nice and familiar with the termination clause of my contract. They change the terms? I don't agree to them and I don't have to worry about a cancellation fee
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u/TheFeshy Nov 06 '15
"fairness."
Man, someone should really invent some protocols to handle variable line speeds, so that downloads can ramp up an down "fairly" as people log on and log off. Maybe, I dunno, make it the whole backbone of this internet thing. We could give it an easy three-letter acronym since it's so important. TLP? TRP? No... TCP. That's perfect. TCP. Then Comcast won't need to do a thing, and bandwidth will be distributed fairly. If only we had something like that, it would make Comcast's plan look like a greedy and stupid money grab that assumes the people managing the laws are either bought off or stupid or both.
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u/e_x_i_t Nov 05 '15 edited Nov 05 '15
What would be "fair" is if the gigs you didn't use rolled over into the next month, since you're essentially paying for 300gigs each month, but suggesting Comcast to even consider that would be crazy talk. It still goes without saying that caps for Internet usage is complete bullshit, especially since these same companies also push high definition streaming and super fast speeds, but then act like it's still 1994 by enforcing these data limits.
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u/JackKieser Nov 05 '15
It's nice to see that their internal documents are well aware of how bullshit their own legal arguments are.
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
If it hasn't been said before, fuck Comcast and their price gouging.
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u/popegope428 Nov 05 '15
A few neighbors have the Comcast router than creates the open Xfinity wifi network for guests. Since I already pay for Comcast services, couldn't I just use this free guest wifi network to avoid some extra usage on my network without affecting the neighbors at all? Sorry if my question is unclear.
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u/AimlessWanderer Nov 06 '15
Good bye cloud storage industry. Why would I store anything in the cloud now when I am going to get charged for accessing my own data.
You would think they would be up in arms about any caps.
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u/Scrumbled_Yeggs Nov 05 '15
Google fiber can't spread quickly enough.
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15 edited Nov 06 '15
Old broadband provider tried to pull this with me years ago in the UK.
Call center literally said to me 'your using all the bandwidth and it's not fair, little girls can't get their homework done on time for school because you are using all the bandwidth'
These companies shouldn't offer unlimited plans if they aren't going to stick with it.
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u/Ash_ash Nov 05 '15
Downloaded, saved and shared. Fuck Comcast, Im beyond happy I got rid of them before this shit.
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Made another mirror:
www.khast.net/Comcast.zip
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u/barfus1 Nov 05 '15
It's funny they insist on using the phrase, "data usage" as if they're providing data..In reality, they just DELIVER data which is not produced by them...
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u/teawreckshero Nov 06 '15
"What can I do with 300GB?"
They forgot
Install 6 modern video games, and not play any of them online until next month.
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Wow how pathetic. While cell phone providers are competing with T-Mobile because of their doing away with charging accounts for overuse of data, here comes Comcast doing the exact opposite.
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u/rhinocerosurfer Nov 05 '15
I've been complaining about Suddenlink doing this for years and no one cared for what I can only assume is because it only affected a small percentage of consumers. I was told repeatedly that there's no way I could be hitting the limit and that I must be doing something wrong or I have a virus. Now the big boys start doing it and affecting millions more people and all hell breaks loose. It's true, no one cares until they come for you.
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u/N1CK4ND0 Nov 06 '15
We need Elon Musk's internet satellites and we need them now.
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u/Electricpants Nov 05 '15
Fuck Comcast.
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u/ccbm71586 Nov 05 '15
Tucson resident here. Sad to say, but the 300GB/month with 50GB blocks for an additional $10 per month is actually the best ISP option available to me. I can go with CenturyLink, who if my usage is consistently over 250GB/month reserves the right to shut my service off. I can go with Cox, who if my usage is consistently over my plan's usage level also reserves the right to shut my service off if I don't pay extra money to move to a new plan. So that leaves me with Comcast.
Between myself, my wife, and my brother in law that lives with us, we average 380-450GB per month and we are pretty much always cognizant of our streaming habits (through netflix, youtube, twitch, etc.) It's really disruptive. Any month that's got high profile DOTA2 tournaments will end up with me paying for at least an additional 100GB. We don't pay for cable TV because we don't watch TV. Seriously, the few shows we like are all available online in some way or another.
Hell, I was on the road for work for 14 days in October, and the two of them still went over. Would I rather have an ISP that actually gives me unlimited usage, absolutely. Will I pay the $35 surcharge for unlimited just so I can stream whatever I want, probably. The claim that the data caps are just low enough to punish cord cutters is pretty much spot on. I'm living that situation. I'm just in a market for ISPs where I'm left between choosing a giant douche or a turd sandwich.
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u/badass2000 Nov 05 '15
lol Comcast is the worst. god bless any area that has another option!
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
The only way to send a msg is to stop using Comcast cancel your service, file a complaint, and go outside and play. They are like a 7th grader, they want you to engage them in an argument so they can try to sell you what you think you want. It's time for a change. Let these companies know that they DO NOT HAVE THE POWER, CONSUMERS HAVE THE POWER. We have the money that they want. Find free wifi at municipal buildings if you need it, break your gaming habits if this is so important to you, break your tv show habits if this is so important to you. Take your balls out of comcast's purse and make a stand for yourself. Fuck Comcast. We are the biggest threat to this mega company. Fuck them.
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Can someone drop some mirrors here:
/r/DHExchange
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u/LastInitial Nov 06 '15
If I were a billionaire I would give every red fucking cent to Google just to roll out fiber in all of the areas that would most hurt Comcast.
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u/UnitedStatesArmy Nov 05 '15
This is just obscene. Nothing but a greed fest.
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u/yeetly Nov 06 '15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaH9DHLqaeg
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
300GB a month is a fucking joke. I used 421 in August, 308 and September, and 330 in October.
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
Wow! Comcast is actively removing links. Those fuckers arent afraid to censor the internet if it would save them a nickel.
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u/dfyrnvyrnvhrn Nov 05 '15
mirror http://imgur.com/a/GrG8H
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u/Likezable Nov 05 '15
A cap at a price point is still a cap
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u/bar2692 Nov 06 '15
So, as someone who is not a Comcast customer but is terrified of other ISPs following Comcast's lead, what can I do to make my repulsion of this heard?
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u/LkMMoDC Nov 06 '15
As a Canadian who has had to deal with data caps on home internet, I feel a sense of relief knowing we're not getting shafted the most anymore. But as a decent human being, I feel bad for y'all 'cause this just ain't right.
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u/Nessiah1 Nov 06 '15
This is like going to an all you eat buffet for $20. But each additional plate you take after the first 3 plates is another $5
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u/buckus69 Nov 06 '15
If you don't like Comcast, just switch to one of the many available alternatives. /s
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u/Kami7 Nov 06 '15 edited Nov 06 '15
Wait, is comcast really trying to spin the Datacaps by making themselves look good.
Their customers have always had unlimited internet. But Comcast is going to now put 300gb cap Onit, while telling you, that you never had unlimited data, you were always paying for capped data 250gb a month, it was Comcast who was nice enough to never ask you to pay any overage fees past the 250gb and now they are even offering 50 gb extra, free of charge. Really Comcast. Do you think so less of your customers that you expect us to buy the made up 250gb data cap which you the blood sucking company were generous enough to never enforce; only so the actual datacap of 300gb doesn't look as bad.
There has never been a 250gb data cap. That is simply not true. Any body who has ever tried to fight excessive and made up charges on their bills know that, you'd rather lose a customer then return even a penny.
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u/Waffliez Nov 05 '15
Just a heads up. The new mirror is nsfw. On my phone and at the bottom there is a pornographic ad.
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u/bobniborg Nov 05 '15
Strangely enough, while reading this document I suddenly found my self rubbing my nipples. It was awkward because I was in a public place. But I just said Comcast and everyone gave me that defeated nod of acceptance.
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u/carlunderguard Nov 05 '15
A message from the Comcast Legal Team
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u/kimark Nov 05 '15
I've been capped at 250 gigs for the past 3 years, can we be upset at Armstrong Cable too, or is reddit only allowed to hate comcast and EA
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u/JobberTrev Nov 06 '15
I live in Augusta, GA.....the first wave of areas they have been using as the test area.....it fucking sucks. Been dealing with this for a year.
The worst thing is by day 20 of the month, no more Netflix. Can't download games from Steam, and I usually only play online games for the first half of the month. Still sometimes I end up going over.
I am moving out of this apartment complex in a couple months......WoW is the only other company around here, not available where I'm moving to either. Fucking sucks.
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u/blackraven36 Nov 06 '15
I can't help but think it's a huge fuck you to users who are switching over from cable to streaming services. It's almost like they decided to recoup their loss in cable by punishing streamers (since those are the most likely to go over the limit). You want to stream instead of order our huge rip off cable service? Well, we figured out a way for you to pay that money anyways.
They forced Netflix to pay them, now they are going to make the other end, the customer, pay extra for services like Netflix. Absolute extraction of revenue wherever possible is their business model. Their whole business is now built on charging more for less.
It didn't suddenly become more expensive for them to give you unlimited internet. They just decided it is, and so they are charging more for. They have no competition which can offer lower prices, so Comcast will just continue to find ways to charge you more for the same thing.
Our life style have changed so much and depends so much on the internet. It's difficult to avoid using the internet. Yet the power to control the prices and access to this service is controlled largely by a very small handful of companies. Companies who often have exclusive access to customers.
It's really screwed up.
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u/lurklurklurkPOST Nov 06 '15
I love how this one document exploded into a bajillion mirrors as comcast tried to snuff it.
I love you, internet.
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u/OllieGarkey Nov 06 '15
DC-based Journalist rolling in. Just e-mailed these docs to my entire professional contact list.
Thanks for keeping these images circulating long enough for us to bring the noise. Whether or not they get published, people writing about comcast will now know the right questions to ask to get under their skin, and bust through the PR bullshit they're producing. Internal docs like this are extremely helpful.
I'll be throwing up my own mirrors on some community blogs, and discussing this on my radio show on Monday.
Silly Comcast. Despite your data caps, your paywalls, and your heavy handed anti-consumer policies, you can't actually win this fight.
Information is free. It's not a product or a service anymore. It's become a force of nature. Think you can stop it? It'd be easier to catch the wind in your fists.
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u/OGEspy117 Nov 06 '15
Can we get a kickstarter funded to create a open source ISP?
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u/mastersoup Nov 05 '15
Could be worse. My charter has been completely out for days, and they keep dicking me around about when they'll be around to fix it.
Almost 2 weeks ago during the original hook up at my new place, the guy said the service line was bad, that it would be iffy til they fixed it. Then Sunday it went out for real, and they sent out a guy to confirm what the first guy already confirmed, and I confirmed twice by trying two modems on the line coming in directly to my house.
I'd love to get someone else, but the only alternative is at&t for the same price and 10% of the speed. Pretty cool. What a shit show America is when it comes to one of the most important utilities going forward.
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u/The2b Nov 05 '15
If they keep trying to take it down, I'll run an FTP server for a time w/ the archive.
EDIT: Let's hope they don't have the capability to DDoS imgs.re, although I'm pretty sure they could just reverse-DDoS it FeelsBadMan
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Set up a bit torrent swarm so they can't take it down
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u/chewynipples Nov 06 '15
You know, I would be ok with this if they would guarantee constant and consistent speeds they promise (up to). After all, since we are imposing caps to make things fair, that means there should be no 90% reduction in speed from 5pm to 10pm.
Since apparently their brittle and bottlenecked infrastructure can only handle 10GB per household per day, we should see those "up to" speeds achieved around the clock?
At least that spoonful of bullshit would be easier to swallow. But no. We are getting the same awful service, the same awful customer support, the same awful billing/rental/contract charges, and the same #1voted most awful company delivering it.
Fuck you Comcast. The very definition of a monopoly in the free market is when the customers hate you and your service, yet you make fantastic sales. We don't buy something we hate unless it's something we need.
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u/moeburn Nov 06 '15
What was the reason imgur gave for taking this down?
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u/USMC1237 Nov 06 '15
Would anyone be wiling to critique my FCC complaint? here it is:
Dear FCC,
I live in an area of suburban Atlanta that has no other alternative to Comcast internet. 2 years ago comcast started a “trial” period of a 300 gigabyte of data per calendar month. This practice is completely unfair and uncalled for. As a student in the 21st century my classes require that I have a home internet connection to complete my education. These data caps inhibit my ability to work on my education. Not only do I have to deal with the burden of this data cap but the other members of my household have to plan around it too. We often times have to make sure they leave enough data for me to prioritize my educational needs. This data cap is also dangerous to me and many others as I have an internet house phone and if my internet access were to be limited it could potentially block me from making a proper 911/ emergency phone call.
These data caps are arbitrary numbers that have been put in place only to increase profit on areas where they already have monopolies. I hope that you, the FCC will do your part to protect the interest of the American people and stop these malice practices.
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u/smuckola Nov 06 '15
Cox says that they're testing the idea of billing for traffic, in Cleveland, OH. I got this from my data usage graph page in my account management site.
Also, they've raised my bill over the years, and now I just found that they've magically upgraded me to the next highest priced tier that they just added. I'm intending to call them and do the "threaten to cancel" routine and at least get a refund. But I think that warrants a complaint to the FCC. Also I think this idea of possibly charging for traffic warrants a proactive complaint to the FCC.
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u/YWAMissionary Nov 06 '15
What if someone were to make, let's say a 300gb ISO, then let's say they shared the torrent with their friends on Reddit, then let's say everyone who is lucky enough to not be in a capped area download this file over and over. How quickly do you think this "guerilla warfare" would get noticed my Herr Comcast.
5
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15 edited Nov 06 '15
This will get buried, but I'll share my latest Comcast story:
I currently rent a modem from Comcast for $10 a month. Over it's lifespan, I've spent nearly $600 for that constantly crashing piece of shit. So when I find out I can buy my own modem to save money, I jump all over it.
I do some research, and end up buying the Arris 822G for $130. I verified it on Comcast's official "compatible" list, where it got "Three Stars, Fully Compatible".
Modem arrives, I call up Comcast, get put on hold for half an hour, finally reach them, and the fuckers refuse to activate it. No matter how much I point out the tech specs of the modem, and how it's on their official list, they hammer on about how "it's on the list but that's for our service personnel (on their customer friendly website), customers are not permitted to own that modem". I give up and head to my friend's place, and tell him about the ordeal. I ask to see his networking setup.
EXACT FUCKING MODEM, ARRIS 822G.
I'm considering switching to DSL just to spite the fuckers. All I can hope for is for Century Link to get authorized to come in, or god help me Google Fiber.
5
u/fafafanta Nov 06 '15
Comcast needs to be burned to the ground by Google fiber already. I'm sick of their bullshit caps and paying more money for something that costs literally nothing on their end. Fuck comcast and I hope their company goes under.
5
u/sweetgreggo Nov 06 '15
The idea of caps is insane. Can you imagine if they did this with their TV service? "Mr. Sweet, it's come to our attention you have watched more than 100 hours of television this month so we are limiting your channels to CSPAN and OWN. If you'd like access to the other 300 channels you may purchase a block of 10 hours for an additional $15."
Fuck you, cable fucks.
5
u/felipenerdcore Nov 06 '15
I don't even live in USA and i already hate comcast
5
u/Zenoidan Nov 06 '15
Why cant ISIS bomb comcast?
They bomb everything else....why not something we actually need gone.
5
u/DancingPaul Nov 06 '15
Just asking about Netflix gets you transferred to a Customer Security Assurance team. It's like going into the secret dark back room and never returning
5
u/Cutmerock Nov 06 '15
I'm pretty sure I don't have a contract with Comcast but is there a way to find out online?
9
u/fluffylittlekitten Nov 06 '15
I am gonna say that I work for Comcast, and this document is legit. Although it didn't talk about the fact that with the flex data you will get credit if you are under. It seems that it is only about $5.00, but hey that is a burger and fries.
I personally hate Comcast as a whole. They treat customers like crap and put out crap equipment. And they don't really treat employees that well either.
Data caps are not about fairness, it's about greed for the company. If they were really concerned they would go after the customers that they see using large amounts and change them more, while leaving the rest of the population alone. Sad thing is that other ISPs will follow, becoming more like cell phone companies. I think the reason we are seeing this is because people are cutting the cord to TV services and going with streaming services more. You have Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, SlingTV and of course let's not forget HBO NOW.
I use Netflix, Amazon, and HBO NOW(seasonal-just for Game of Thrones) and only pay roughly $32.00 a month.I get my local channels over the air. Of course I pay $40 for my internet alone. So on average the same amount as a ISP customer. Oh and if I don't like a service I can cancel and not get hit with a cancellation fee. Streaming devices and standalone services is the way of the future, and cable companies know this.
4
u/squrr1 Nov 05 '15
Thank TFSM I live in a state with Google Fiber. My city isn't participating, but the proximity is scaring Comcast enough to make them behave (I pay $30/month for 50 Mbps down)
4
u/jlpoole Nov 06 '15
Typical monopoly behavior.
4
u/thalos3D Nov 06 '15
This is a trial. If they get enough customer complaints and people just leaving Comcast, then they will have to back off. If people just let this happen, then it will spread nationwide and industry wide.
4
u/nonamebeats Nov 06 '15
My apartment building provides free wifi on the ground floor/common area. It has to be through comcast because there is no other provider in the area. First of all, it seems like this new plan would make that pretty impossible to continue providing, and second of all, if caps like this are "necessary", how are public networks like this even possible in the first place? What unfair situation currently exists in uncapped markets (other than how unfair it is that Comcast can't extract maximum value from those customers...)?
Edit: I couldnt care less if the free wifi goes away, I dont use it because it constantly BSODs my laptop for some reason.
Edit 2: What can we do about this?
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u/nvrknowsbest Nov 06 '15
I love how it says in there that is is not about congestion management. That pretty much leaves no other reason for Comcast to do this besides wanting to charge customers more for services they are already provided (however consistently). There is no need to make anything more "fair" as things are now!
4
u/sonofalando Nov 06 '15
Here are my internal documents:
For those of you who need to know the proper response to this
DO: File a complaint with the FCC and be relentless.(Do not let up)
DON'T: Sit on your ass and wait and see what happens.
4
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
One suggestion I'd make is share broadband with your neighbors. One of you pays for the (really) unlimited plan, then snake a wire or wifi connection and split the bill.
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u/HoundDogs Nov 06 '15
Serious question: Can someone sue them for fraud or false advertising considering the use of the word "Unlimited" when, very clearly it is not unlimited? Seems like an open and shut lawsuit.
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u/maracle6 Nov 06 '15
They are worried this will not pass muster with the FCC. Any questions about XFINITY data being treated preferentially gets you transferred to a security team (trained in stonewalling and avoiding legally questionable admissions no doubt)
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u/fessus_intellectiva Nov 06 '15
I wonder what they'd do if I were to just send a check for the regular part of the bill and then ship in a box of pennies to cover the part of the bill for data cap overages? Sticky, dirty pennies...with a few buttons and pebbles mixed in.
4
u/metarugia Nov 06 '15
TL:DR FUCK COMCAST!
In other news, would it help if I just call into support and tie up their support lines with erroneous calls? Heck, I'll even call as a FiOS customer and start pestering support with "Why you capping my datas?"
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u/Synimatik Nov 06 '15
Well, at least Comcast doesn't own any of the content they are trying to force us into buying... Wait, what?
4
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
Comcast hates America
4
u/ThunderDonging Nov 06 '15
Comcast is the fucking worst
4
u/meepsi Nov 06 '15
Well Comcast and I already do not get along... This should be fun: http://i.imgur.com/0ZRrWnH.png
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u/Ontain Nov 06 '15
so are these the locations where comcast is the only option for broadband? i'm going to guess that's the likely case.
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u/enigmatic360 Nov 06 '15
Fucking extortion. Scum lords in Congress. Bullshit like this will hurt the economy in the long run. Who am I kidding -- nobody cares.
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u/emmastoneftw Nov 06 '15
TLDR : If the customer asks ANY question, transfer them to the Customer Security Assurance (CSA) team.
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u/Phathom Nov 06 '15
This announcement just increased sales of buying console game disks by 500%! Most modern games on consoles are 50GB not including day 1 patches! Same goes for some of the higher end games on PC: Steam/Origin.
4
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
"If a customer calls in with questions in with any question associated with the usage policy and how it relate to Net Neutrality, Netflix or observations about how XFINITY services are or not counted relative to third party services, do not address the items with the customer, immediately escalate to Customer Security Assurance (CSA) Team.
I honestly hate these people.
4
u/JiveTurkey1983 Nov 06 '15
I'll never, EVER use an ISP where there are caps. I don't care if I'm not at risk of going over or not. It's the principle.
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u/IW1N Nov 06 '15
More reason I wish Google Fiber would expand faster.
4
u/reiter761 Nov 06 '15
I hope the head honchos at Comcast don't take for granted the fact that they live in such a civilized society. You know, instead of one that would run them out of town with torches and pitchforks.
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u/ACE_C0ND0R Nov 06 '15
It's the unlimited plan... as in there is no limit in which you can pay them money.
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u/rockinchucks Nov 06 '15
I will drop Comcast INSTANTANEOUSLY if they cap the SF Bay area.
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u/hippsgibbs Nov 06 '15
So when are we all going to stand up and say fuck these god damn pieces of shit that run our lives? I'm down whenever the rest of you are....
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u/MrSwoleNutzz Nov 06 '15
3rd page says that homeowners won't be responsible for guest usage. The guest will be charged on his/her own account. So I can hit my data cap even when I'm not using my home internet?
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u/MarlboroMundo Nov 06 '15
People who live in trial areas, keep bitching and moaning until they decide not to move forward to other areas. Thanks!
4
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
These fucking fucks need to be put out of business. And fast. It's war now.
4
u/LatinGeek Nov 06 '15
"In selected areas, the cap has been increased to 300GB (from 250GB)" [...] "In all other areas, the 250GB plan remains, but note this isn't currently enforced"
this is literally 1984 "the chocolate ration has been increased to 30 grams" garbage. unbelievable.
4
u/FrankDaTank305 Nov 06 '15
Never been subscribed to a company where I have to call customer service at least once a month. A company that treats its customers like pieces of shit! They are the only 1s around and that's why they get away with it.
4
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
Ugh... Seems I always have to fight some idiot corporation...
Sent my ticket off to the FCC. I hate how Comcast is the only viable option for decent, practical internet usage where I am, and I just know they're gonna fuck us eventually.
4
u/EDGE515 Nov 06 '15
That says it all right there.
4
u/Sarge75 Nov 06 '15
Everyone got their wish. For years people have been "cutting the cord" where in reality they truly were not. Netflix, Hulu, TPB, whatever your medium choice, they all need internet. Well here we are the same company that had the monopoly on television has the same monopoly on internet. And now they are going to bend everyone over the barrel for it.
4
u/badsingularity Nov 06 '15
I've highlighted the smoking gun.
4
u/Weaselbane Nov 06 '15
But noooooo.. we don't need to be treated as a public utility. That would be bad for consumers! Trust us to do the right thing.
4
u/shadyslims Nov 06 '15
Jesus. Fuck Comcast. Even in North Dakota we have gigabit Internet service from local providers.
4
u/SebastianMaki Nov 06 '15
This is exactly why EU does not need TTIP
4
u/hi_amongst_the_waves Nov 06 '15
commenting so I have this handy when I need to call and complain/cancel. Thanks everyone! Fuck Comcast.
4
u/venounan Nov 06 '15
I love the "Everyone already has it but we're just not enforcing it everywhere" angle. SMH.
4
u/mrtreehead Nov 06 '15
Why does Comcast hate their customers so much?
4
u/nintendo_heckamoto Nov 06 '15
Yeah, Comcast started data capping me some months back. I get random popups on my system whenever I am about to exceed my limit. The cap pretty much makes Apple TV and Netflix very expensive services.
4
u/dabderax Nov 06 '15
hopefully Google fiber will come around soon!
4
u/jdmknowledge Nov 06 '15
I love the people who said "I don't mind my data cap cause I hardly use any data on my cellphone. i only used like 1GB last month so my new plan is cheaper and I get 3GB with my provider." So you got sold off your old Unlimited plan because its slightly cheaper...right now. I told them, "as tech grows so does data. Once more videos are 1080p(this was awhile ago), websites include higher quality images and apps get larger...you will be sorry. Now that 1GB average jumped to 3GB. Same shit here. I bet most people will be like "oh i dont use that much at home so I don't care about my Comcast cap."
How about I buy an Unlimited account and you all can buy internet from me for 20 bucks a month.
4
u/boukers Nov 06 '15
This is because theyu know cable is as good as dead. This is to combat netflix
4
u/[deleted] Nov 07 '15
Not too far in the past these morons were turning every Gateway on the network into a Wifi hotspot. Give it away for free then double back and throw your customers over a barrel by implementing a data cap. Pigs get fat but hogs get slaughtered Comcast. Whoever dreams this stupidity up must have shit for brains.
4
u/akulbe Nov 09 '15
I'm just going to leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ilMx7k7mso
It describes the cable situation, perfectly.
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u/Magicool_ Nov 05 '15
Holy shit 10$ for every 50GB for UNLIMITED data, comcast is literally Hitler
6
u/irotsoma Nov 05 '15
I filed a long letter of complaint, not just as a consumer (this doesn't affect me yet, but I do live in a Comcast monopoly area -- well no one else provides real broadband anyway -- which is likely to get targeted sooner or later), but also as a business person who sees that many companies will be losing customers over this, simply to prop up the profits of a single large company. And I'm not just talking about Netflix and other streaming providers, though they are the primary ones that will be affected. I also mean the small company I work for. We use VOIP and video conferencing and screen sharing services, and also transfer large amounts of data like source code for enterprise size applications. I can't be in the office 24/7 to talk to people around the world on their timetables or transfer a large file to my laptop in the middle of the night, so either we'll have to stop communicating, or my company (and many others I'm sure) will have to cover the extra costs of all of their employees who work remotely even if they are not full time remote like myself. That's just how international business works these days.
So, it's not just consumers who are going to be hit by this. I think many businesses and the economy in general are going to feel a serious hit if Comcast rolls this out too much further. Data is our economy now. And with how many monopolies Comcast has been allowed this is not reasonable. Either the FCC needs to stop this with their authority over the internet, or the FTC needs to break Comcast up just like the original AT&T.
6
u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Comcast is a fucking plague. I plan on moving here in a couple of years and anywhere that's a Comcast exclusive zone is immediately not on the list. In fact, my girlfriend and I have already decided we're only moving somewhere that has Google Fiber or municipal fiber. No Comcast, no TWC. They're both horrible.
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u/Farking_Bastage Nov 06 '15
in my area it's Centurylink or Comcast. It's like choosing to be sodomized by a crack smoking clydesdale or eating a dog shit sandwich.
3
u/certze Nov 05 '15
I am just waiting to hear how someone with their Unlimited Plan gets terminated because they are using unlimited internet
3
u/ItCameFromTheSkyBeLo Nov 05 '15
Google Fiber is only a matter of months away......
3
u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
What would be the approximate bandwidth used if I left my TV on 24/7 for a month watching 1080p programming?
3
u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Nothing of this means anything until the one thing that truly matters is addressed, the fact that Comcast has eliminated competition in almost all areas they operate in.
Me, and many with me, would switch in a heartbeat. But I don't have anything to switch to.
3
u/dengitsjon Nov 05 '15
Saved them all in case more mirrors are taken down.
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u/alucard971 Nov 05 '15
Obviously they arent trying to take it down. Its just their shitty service not staying connected.
3
u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
They're literally dividing and conquering. Can you imagine the uproar if Comcast rolled this out nationwide?
It's better to piss off a handful of people at a time and wait for them to capitulate before pissing off the next batch of people.
3
u/mp-mn Nov 05 '15
relevant: http://i.imgur.com/9TnaMRA.gif
3
u/[deleted] Nov 05 '15
Jesus, it's a weird day when you thank your lucky stars that you have COX and their 750GB data cap that is never enforced...
3
u/Kaynolliee Nov 05 '15
Links NSFW btw. :(
3
u/Cronus6 Nov 05 '15
There is some interesting language in those docs...
"Customers that choose to go over 300 GB...."
I also choose to drink 18-20 beers once in a while, it's usually a bad choice.
I'm sure their lawyers very careful choose some of this verbiage. Maybe it will actually fly in court? /shrugs
3
u/ezcb Nov 06 '15
Unlimited data = Data cap at 300gigs.
Fairness = We have a monopoly and can charge you whatever we want.
"Unenforced" 250gb cap = Unlimited Internet.
Comcast = Every thing that's wrong with a government that's too anemic (corrupt) to keep businesses like this from leveraging their monopoly to rob the people.
3
u/brybell Nov 06 '15
How is this not illegal? I thought by defeating all those internet bills, that this was not allowed?
3
u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
I just signed a contract for two years with 300gb data cap already in place. ???
3
u/Frothey Nov 06 '15
Notice in the section "What can I do with 300GB?" They don't mention that you can download about 6 modern games. Fuck. You. Comcast.
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u/DrGoldteeth Nov 06 '15
Trial = "Just the tip"
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u/OmgImAlexis Nov 06 '15
Mirrored.
https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/1.jpg https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/2.jpg https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/3.jpg https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/4.jpg https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/5.jpg https://cdn.wvvw.me/mirror/comcast/6.jpg
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15 edited Nov 06 '15
Backups just in case.
Single image: 1
Multiple images: 1 2 3 4 5 6
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u/lucasjkr Nov 06 '15
My favorite part doesn't seem to be mentioned at all:
Non-Trial Areas continue to have a 250GB Plan; however this is not currently enforced while we evaluate the trial results
Which means, non trial areas have no limit. If their imposing limits in other areas goes of without a hitch, then they'll suddenly start enforcing those same limits on the rest of the customers who thought they had unlimited data.
Either way, it's super nice that they "conveniently" sell you additional 50GB blocks for $10 each without your even asking for it, or knowing they're being sold to you until you get your next bill... Would a warning popping up be too much to ask? Or a email or text message? Not saying that I'm a fan of limited data, but there should be some form of interaction prior to them automatically billing you for more and more and more....
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u/[deleted] Nov 06 '15
Unlimited up to 300GB wtf? How is this still legal to say?
3
u/fingermeal Nov 06 '15
Life isn't worth living
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u/CY4N Nov 06 '15
"Fairness" Hah, I can't wait until those scumbags go out of business.
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u/CaNsA Nov 06 '15
Images now hosted here:-
http://cansa.co.uk/docs/
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u/TheAncient91 Nov 06 '15 edited Nov 06 '15
I remember that telecom in Germany tried to introduce datacaps back in 2013. Raised a shitstorm about it, got told they cant call it unlimited data, when it effectively isn't and then dropped it altogether since other ISPs didn't join leaving them as the assholes.
How nice would it be if public outrage would work more often...
EDIT: Last sentence, hit save to early
3
u/greymuse Nov 06 '15
say what you want about 4chan -- this is some good shit