IS Uncapped ADSL under fire
Internet Solutions (IS) recently launched their new uncapped ADSL services which are accompanied by a new Fair Use Policy (FUP). The new IS uncapped ADSL ‘User Policy’ takes aim at the top users in preference to setting usage values.
The basics of the new policy are as follows:
- 10 day Rolling Window – If you’re in Top 20% of IS users for this connection speed, you will be shaped
- User Policy applies 24/7, Weekends & Public Holidays
- For the 4096 Kbps Basic Lite Account, if you’re in Top 50% of IS users for this connection speed, you will be shaped
- For the 4096 Kbps Basic Account, if you’re in Top 20% of IS users for this connection speed, you will be shaped
It is interesting to note that there are no rolling thresholds and no rate throttling, and that unlimited data usage is allowed. Two concurrent connections where the account speed is shared between the two connections (4Mbps = 2 x 2Mbps) is also allowed.
Speed complaints
Complaints have now started surfacing from IS uncapped ADSL users about very poor speeds.
One consumer furnished MyBroadband with speed test results showing downlink speeds of less than 10 Kbps. According to this IS uncapped ADSL user, download speeds of between 6 Kbps and 20 Kbps on his 4 Mbps account were commonplace.
“I realize that IS has to give preference to their business clients during the day, but seriously speeds of 8bit/s, I am sure they can do better that this. They are over shaping the network, to the point where Google, of all websites times out and emails won’t download because they’re timing out too,” the IS uncapped ADSL subscriber said.
An ISP manager also recently lashed out at the ISP, criticizing IS’s throttling policy as far too aggressive.
“This morning several of my clients phoned in about having the world’s worst internet connection. So like a good manager I phone our supplier to find out what is happening with the account. My account manager at IS points me to the new star system in the system user comments that shows you how “bad” your client is,” he explained.
“If you have 1 star you are throttled to near extinction,” he said. “When I say throttled I mean you cannot even browse the web and check your email at the same time. It’s about 1000 times worse than GPRS.”
According to feedback from this ISP his client was listed as an ‘abuser’ after his usage of 25 GB pushed him into the ‘top 20%’ of users who are shaped in line with the IS FUP.
Internet Solutions responds
Internet Solutions’ Sean Nourse, Executive of their Connectivity Business, explained that their shaping is dependent on the product purchased. “The principle is that users will be measured against their peers as this is a service designed to provide affordable broadband internet access to the consumer community,” said Nourse.
“A user will not be shaped in any way if their usage patterns are in line with our average usage. Mild shaping will only occur once they go above the average, but will become more aggressive if the user’s usage continues to run away from the average. IS has had to implemented this in order to control the abuse, without this we would have to increase our pricing.”
When it comes to what shaping and what speeds users can expect when shaped, Nourse says that it all depends on where the user is in relation to their peers. “Different shaping will be applied at various percentage utilization thresholds,” said Nourse.
Nourse explained that it is not possible to give the exact usage limit at which users will fall into the ‘top 20%’ or would result in shaping. “As the average usage is calculated over a rolling period the average is continuously changing,” said Nourse.
Nourse added that they will address each and every complaint on a case by case basis. “Clients are encouraged to call their Service Providers who will in turn notify us if they have any complaints,” Nourse concluded.
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