Bandwith Usage

[SSHood]

I have been with WB for 6 years, I run the pro plan, and 3 weeks ago they say I went over my 17 by something like 752.25.. So for almost 3 weeks now Im running at 40%. I keep checking and keep calling. I really feel Ive been on restriction long enough..I keep checking everyday and WB meter still says Im over. All my questions get from a tech is "I dont Know" perplexing to say the least. It was suggested that I shut off all my auto updates, which I did, still shows over and now my pc's are not getting their auto updates
My usage hasnt changed in 6 years now, bam, Im hit with overage. Something wrong somewhere. According to Microsoft and my pc manufacturer no problems. No mal or spyware, no corrupt files, no hacks..Wildblue say not their problem either......

[NovelT7]

Rather than start my own thread I'll join you in your complaint. I've been with Wildblue for several years and not once had I ever even come close to exceeding the badnwidth usage and now in the matter of a few days I'm over???

How did I go from about 20% of usage to 120% of usage???

Now here's where I went wrong.

I thought the pro pak meant a faster transfer rate, not a larger transfer size. In other words I thought I was going from say 50kbps to 250kbps (just a sample not accurate figures) However how they have is to me ridiculous. It's a download limit. So 7gigs to 17gigs of data.

Now the avid supporter will ask why is that a problem?

DUDE!

Say you go to the bank and try to make a deposit and they say sorry you cannot make a deposit you have exceeded your deposit amount.

Sounds stupid. Exactly!

If they are going to restrict flow because you have gathered too much information then they need to drop the rates or lower the fees. I thought I was paying for speed not an amount. I could gather 17gigs of data at 14kbps and not really care. Sure it would take for ever, but dang technically with the throttle on my account that's exactly what is happening. So I'm still able to download at all sizes, but it's just taking longer so to what end is this working? It's a punishment for basically false advertising.

I repeat I thought I was paying for speed. I could drop right back down to the Valu-pak and be just as content since obviously it's not speed I'm paying for. Why even boast or brag about connection speeds in advertising if a person cannot use the speed to gather the necessary files they need or want?

I for one need the speed to do financial transactions.

I AM LOSING BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THIS RESTRICTION.

I do video production and editing. I process large video files not compressed H.264 style vids, but uncompressed files that by themselves obviously put me over the 17gig limit. So what is my solution? Lose business because I cannot acces the internet?

Now I repeat I've been a customer for a few years and was doing the same work and not once came close to the threshold and so I find it quite odd that in a matter of days from April 24, 2011 to May 6 I exceeded the limit.

I'd say there's a glitch in the system and it's not on my end. I've got the exact same computer equipment. I don't have a wireless modem or router so there's no way any one outside can access my connection. I definitely don't have any viruses, spyware or malware. So if nothing really changed on my end how if in 4 to 5 years I never came close to the limit how in the world do I exceed it in the matter of a few days???

However let's just say they are right. Let's presume that I'm a video junkie and I go to netflix once a week and download a 4gig movie. I'd obviously cross the threshold within the 3rd or 4th week because the videos alone would be 12 to 16gigs by then and take for fact that I'd visit other web pages, download pictures other files and so for sure I'd be over 17gigs and then I'd have to wait 30 days??? So I'd have to completely stop getting movies in order for the limit to drop.

In other words I'd be paying for something that I really couldn't use.

Ah but they will say you can use the fast speeds, but you can only use them up until you reach a certain limit.

I honestly for the life of me cannot understand that.

So someone who uses a Bit Torrent utility is out of luck after a while. Someone who thought they could set up video conferencing is out of luck. What's the point of having ridiculously fast speeds if you really cannot use it's full potential? As I said I did it for work. I cannot do what I'm doing on dial-up and I really have no other choices.

DSL, ISDN, etc. I live too far from the junction.

Cable? Nope. Time Warner is crazy and I thought too expensive for their packaged offer, but now I'm paying $90 for practically dial-up.

I'd like to go back to the service, I had pro-pak, as I had it prior to 2011. It was fast and I never came anywhere near restriction levels.

If it aint broke don't fix it.

[Doug Huffman]

I for one need the speed to do financial transactions. I AM LOSING BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THIS RESTRICTION.

Get an enterprise account.

So someone who uses a Bit Torrent utility is out of luck after a while.

Uhh, we've never never heard of P2P file sharing causing problems. Noo, you're the first. I'm sure that if you call CS at 1-866-945-3258 they'll hire you on the spot at lead customer service representative.

DSL, ISDN, etc[?] I live too far from the junction.

So you don't really live in El Paso.

[James E Vanderberg]

...Cable? Nope. Time Warner is crazy and I thought too expensive for their packaged offer, but now I'm paying $90 for practically dial-up...

If you have access to cable, please go to it and open up some bandwidth for someone who actually needs WB. You see, those of us who actually do live where there is no other option end up suffering because people who have other options still use satellite and suck up bandwidth. I've been satisfied with WB for almost 3 years, I've gotten pretty much what I expected to get and have no complaints, but if I had cable available that's where I'd be. If you have another option, you don't need to be here. I'm not trying to be unfriendly, but satellite really is best for those who have no other options.

[NovelT7]

@DougHuffman

I called an asked about upgrading and they made no mention of an enterprise account. They said I had the top level.

I realize that most of your post is dry humor and sarcasm, others I've noticed take it the wrong way. Not me.

So for your comment about P2P of my mention of Torrent utilities the point is someone who actually uses those to access specific content as I mentioned I'm a filmmaker and right around the 2006 NAB in Vegas the company that produces the RED digital camera released test footage. It was the first 4K digital camera and the released thier sample via a torrent. There was no other option and it was a rather large file, but as a camera enthusiast and as I said filmmaker it was great to see. Ah but Panasonic, Sony and others have begun even greater camera developments as is with all technology

Yes I live in El Paso. Did you skim my message or actually read it? I said I lived to far from "the junction" I was told this by AT&T. The majority of the people in my suburb area can't get DSL because the box is too far from our area.

Now unless you misunderstood me I've been a customer since 2005 and not once had any problems with bandwidth. Then in the matter of 8 days or so I've exceeded it when I'm doing the exact same thing that I have been doing for the last 6 years. So in 6 years not once did I ever come close to the limit and yet in the matter of a week I go over 17gigs.

Also in that exact time period my computer was off and on days during this "event" there were severe windstorms that kept my dish from locking on to the satellite signal. So I find it really odd that in 6 years I averaged 20 to 30% of the bandwidth total and then during a period when I really didn't and/or couldn't use it and yet I exceed 17gigs.

Since you're a rocket scientist then doing the math shouldn't be too hard for you ;-)

@JamesVanderburg

Maybe you can't read. I chose satellite. Free will, freedom of choice, heard of those? America?

Now without being snippy here's the deal. I can't get DSL or anything else from AT&T because I was willing to try U-Verse, but as stated too far and also it's not even in my area yet. As for cable, let's just say the customer service for Wildblue is 100 times better and I am not being facetious.

Besides I have Dish Network and not once have I had a snowy signal/picture. Plus I get immediate responses from their customer service and no long wait times and each time they've helped me right away. Oh, but note my calls weren't about service. I upgraded packages, ordered equipment, even called to question why they got rid of the Kung-Fu channel. So having cable is not even in the equation.

Especially for internet. My friend has it and when he's the only one using it the bandwidth is fine, but soon as others in the area get on then it degrades. Nothing too extreme, but it degrades nonetheless. Plus as stated above when he's called customer service he usually ends up more upset than he was before he called.

As for me I needed a greater upload bandwidth because I do work with large files so Wildblue was the best option and practicalyl only option and I truly doubt I am affecting your service.

However I'll repeat that I find it very strange that my computer was off and I had no signal for the time period in question and yet I go over 17gigs. I find that truly questionable. I've been a customer for about 6 years so to not once come close to the limit (even when I had the entry level pak) within a near 6 year time period and yet exceed 17gigs in the matter of a few days when my computer was off and at times couldn't connect. To me that means there's a software or even hardware issue on hte Wildblue end.

Unlike other people on here don't take my post as being ticked off with Wildblue. Sure my post may sound angered, but it is frustration because I am losing money and then on top of that I'm practically paying to lose money.

Today's usage probabaly hit 40MBs or 50MBs and if that's under a 70% restriction then the figure would be about 70MBs. At that usage it would take 242 days to reach 17,000MBs and yet I supposedly hit it in about 8 days with my computer off?

Really?

...and you want to jump on my case...

[NovelT7]

I do want to add though I have really enjoyed Wildblue for the last 5 to 6 years I think it is high time that they upgrade themselves.

We are well into the age of high-def video and while a couple of years ago we were content with video streaming at 56 to 212k we are now at rates of 1mbps.

One company offers $35 for 3mbps where the Wildblue Pro the highest level is $79.95 for "up to 1.5 Mbps"

This other company's top package is $65 for 24mbps.

Now I realize the mods may delete this post, but I'm trying to stress a serious factor. It's one thing to advertise and boast about leaving "dial-up in the dust" but we are well into an age where a lot of people have cable, DSL, or U-verse and I'd like to stay with Wildblue. Seriously I like Wildblue. I'd like them to consider boosting their speed and at least make it comparable to what's available from other companies. If it can't be done, fine, but at least increase the download threshold.

I get the whole thing they don't want people staying on the internet and having a constant signal running at 1mpbs. Yes I get that, but who really does that?

(By the way it's windy and my modem just lost signal...my meter right now is flat, but I know I'll have a usage spike :-D)

Anyway we are dealing with things that are much larger in size than they were a couple of years ago. We are for sure dealing in things that are well over the size of files and rates as they were when Wildblue began in 2005 and the numbers we are limited to were the exact same then as they are now.

Come on think it through Wildblue sets a usage policy when Youtube was in its infancy. It began in 2005 itself. Myspace began in 2003, Facebook 2004. So you have the major sites that get high volumes of use daily all in their infancy and Wildblue sets a policy at a time when daily internet use was nowhere near to what it is now.

Yet Wildblue has grown with the times? No.

It's almost like they are broadcasting in black&white when every one has color televisions. I applaud them for new satellites, system upgrades, and each time they move forward and expand, but to limit people to the internet itself when the internet has grown by leaps and bounds.

For the fact is we didn't have hi-def streaming video in 2005 and now it is common place so why would Wildblue restrict that use? Sure someone can select to view at a lower resolution and/or speed, but there's a reason it was produced at hi-def in the first place. That's like buying the Quattron television from Sharp and because you don't want a viewing restriction you select to watch it in black&white.

The whole point of having a higher speed is to enjoy it. The resolution is so much better at the speeds they were meant for. Also I stated I use mine for financial transactions and if I don't make the specific time I'm cut off and at a loss.

So mods and Wildblue it is 2011 soon to be 2012 the world may end, but can we at least enjoy it at a higher threshold? :-D

[Doug Huffman]

I realize that most of your post is dry humor and sarcasm, others I've noticed take it the wrong way. Not me.

It is not and you did. It is difficult to offend a rock.

[wm4bama]

Are you sure it was your download limit (17gb's) that was exceeded and not your upload limit (5gb's)?

You stated your job requires large uploads as well as downloads. Keep in mind that the upload limit for your Pro Pak is only 5gb's, and you can be fapped for exceeding either the download or the upload limit..

Just a thought...

[James E Vanderberg]

...@JamesVanderburg

Maybe you can't read. I chose satellite. Free will, freedom of choice, heard of those? America?



...and you want to jump on my case...

Maybe you can't read (after all, you did misspell my name, which is written down right in front of you). I'm not jumping on your case, but I am pointing out the fact that the more people who use satellite, the less bandwidth available for each person, therefore the slower the service. That's why satellite is best for people who have no other options. The people who choose to use satellite when they have other options available do affect my signal. You in particular? No, we're not on the same beam, but the idea holds. If I had another option I'd use it, but since I don't I have to use this one.

So, for someone who isn't being snippy, you sure do sound snippy!

[SSHood]

Just an update. Its now been 3 weeks into my punishment phase. Download usage still shows Im over 17 my upload is down from 9% to 7% and I still running at 40% aka lower than dial-up. Again I do want to it clear that I have had WB for 6 years with no problem before. I have never gottern close to any type of overage. I also live in Texas, and with the winds blowing most of the time my moden goes in/out this past month and a half. I am very remote, so there could be no one other than bobcats, cougars or coyotes that could try to hack into my router.
Please anyone, how much longer will it take?
My gateway runs out of New York and I do understand that they have be doing alot of work and have had problems for a few weeks now.... Could this possibly a WB problem? Hummm I wonder..................