Usage Monitoring – Coincidence? I Think Not

by | Feb 26, 2011 | Broadband/Internet, Life notes, Local Tech Notes

Amazon's Instant VideoYesterday, 2 days after I started trying Amazon’s new free video streaming service for Prime subscribers I got a letter from my Internet Service Provider (Suddenlink) telling me about their usage monitoring service. Coincidence? I think not. Fortunately, I’m still in the “normal” range. But also, fortunately, Suddenlink doesn’t have a cap on bandwidth usage. I don’t know how long this will last as video consumption over the Internet is only going to increase. For now, the monitoring service might let you know that someone may be stealing service or a virus may have hijacked a computer on my network and is using the account to do hellish things on the interwebs.

BTW, I am really liking the “free” movie streaming from Amazon. Works really well. Maybe Suddenlink ought to provide an optional email notification when certain usage levels are hit.

Alternate Fiber Coming Soon

by | Aug 21, 2008 | Local Tech Notes

The biggest news at Broadband Forum IV so far was just announced by Gregg Foster of Lost Coast Communications (owners of KHUM, KSLG and the Point). Apparently a company called IP Networks plans to have an alternate fiber line completed by the 1st quarter of 2009. IP Networks partners with PG&E for these kinds of things and it looks like the line will use the PG&E path east-west. PG&E has had a big interest in getting this done for their own purposes, but the new fiber will also sell space wholesale to other providers such as Suddenlink. This is great news!