Regulating Internet access and use

An ongoing “advocacy” campaign by one telecommunications company on the concept of responsible Internet use, specifically “limited” free access, raises a lively issue not just of broadband service subscriptions abuse, but also of how telcos should better serve their customers.

Currently, Filipinos may connect to the Internet through their ordinary phones by dialing up, or getting a digital subscriber line (DSL) or a cable line, or via satellite. So far, DSL and cable are still the preferred mode because of their speed, reliability and capacity to move large chunks of information in cyberspace.

With the rising popularity of peer-to-peer networks that allow downloading of movies and, more recently, television broadcasts through the computer, there is a marked slowing down of broadband connection especially in the early evening, which is considered the peak usage time.

If you’re an average Internet user that connects after office hours at home to simply check on personal e-mails or browse through the headlines of the day, not getting a fast connection even if you’re paying the full amount for the service can be exasperating.

This is the reason why there are a number of moves by Internet service providers (ISPs) not only in the Philippines but also in some U.S. states and European countries to enforce that fine print in the contract that subscribers signed when subscribing to unlimited DSL or cable line.

Not entirely unlimited

It’s called the Fair Use Policy (FUP). If you’re regularly downloading two or more quality DVD movies weekly plus actively surfing the Net or uploading large numbers of photos or videos to your Facebook site, you could be sanctioned by your ISP for clogging the system.

This is because your “unlimited broadband” usage may adversely affect the majority of other users who had similarly paid for the same services but are experiencing erratic connections because of your incurable download habits.

The FUP allows your provider to limit (or throttle) your downloads, or restrict your downloads during peak hours, or even curb your downloads of movies. Yes, your ISP can technically do these and are even legally within rights. So bandwidth hogs, beware!

For less heavy users of the Internet but who nevertheless are within borderline of abusive behavior, the best way to avoid sanctions from your service provider would be to download music and movies during non-peak hours.

But if you’re a download-a-holic and can’t resist the temptation to transfer those big files to your computer at any hour of the day, there are other upgrade packages from your service provider that would allow you to indulge to your heart’s content without making yourself a nuisance to others.

Unreliable Internet service

With such clearer warning (and in larger print that isn’t found in the ISP contracts) issued to Internet use abusers and would-be abusers, we can now take a look at the other side of the fence, particularly on how our ISPs have been behaving in recent times.

The most common complaint of Internet DSL subscribers, especially in old residential blocks, has been the unreliability of connection that is often experienced when there are heavy rains or flash flooding.

Worse, when the service gets disconnected even for several days, there is no corresponding rebate in the monthly fees. And even much more badly, getting a technician to check and restore service could only severely test your patience and fortitude.

Cable Internet subscribers are not so much affected by inclement weather, partly because the lines they use are mostly new (unlike those old phone copper lines that the DSL piggy-back on). However, subscribers are charged the extra length of line that will go into your home.

On the other hand, Internet through satellite is still very much in its infancy stages, at least here in the Philippines. Not only is it more expensive compared to DSL or cable, it can be spotty and susceptible to disconnection especially on cloudy or windy days.

Still expensive

I have two lines installed at home, each as back-up to the other in case one fails when needed. This system so far has helped me through crisis moments, but it has also come at a cost.

Connecting to cyberspace is not cheap in this country, and even with more service providers in the market going after potentially new subscribers, getting a one-MBPS line could easily dent your household budget by a thousand pesos. This is on top of your telephone service and cable TV subscription.

More competition should mean lowered prices, but this is not exactly happening yet with Internet. Worse, now that the competing players are feeling the squeeze on their bottom line, they are more reluctant about spending money on upgrading their servers.

FUP threat

This is one reason why there is all this hype about FUP (Fair Use Policy). This provision in the contract for Internet connection will be used by service providers not only to “regulate” free internet access but also to justify additional charges to an already expensive service.

It would not be surprising if our Internet service providers and their telecommunication firms would one day introduce a new clause in their contracts, one that stipulates extra charges to those who exceed defined download or usage quotas.

Exciting times

Nevertheless, we live in exciting times. Like our grandparents or parents who signed up for their first telephone, we are seeing new products that we had hitherto only read in science fiction literature or watched in those space movies.

We can now actually see the people we talk to from the other side of the globe over the Internet through Skype or similar software. Who knows if 3-D projection will soon become a reality in the way we communicate?

I guess, in time, as these inventions becoming de rigueur in our daily lives, the cost will be less prohibitive. Boy, do I look forward to seeing that day.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.