Fair Access Policy FAP

Bandwidth Capping: Why is it Highly Necessary ?

Ever wonder if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has a personal vendetta against You Tube? Internet radio? File sharing? We don’t. We just know that if you do these things for hours at a time, you’ll take more than your share of the “bandwidth” capacity, and everyone else’s Internet connections will be slower as a result. Therefore, to make sure that all subscribers have the same opportunity for a good online experience, we monitor and control bandwidth use. Monitoring bandwidth also alerts us to network security breaches.

But what is bandwidth? Although bandwidth can mean a number of things, we use it to describe the amount of data that can be transferred to or from a Web site or server. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps). We may also refer to going over your bandwidth as being fapped.

Tips for Reducing Bandwidth

Don't leave your Web browser open on a page with automatically refreshing content.

If you use Morpheus, Grokster, Limewire or another file-sharing application, make sure it’s not running each time you turn on your computer.

If you use Real Player to play CDs on your computer, turn off the online function.

If children or young adults are using your computer, they might inadvertently download games or videos or upload vacation pictures and send your threshold limit skyrocketing. Common causes for increased bandwidth are using peer-to-peer file sharing programs, a computer virus, use of a webcam, downloading full-length movies and downloading large quantities of music files. Please be sure to talk to anyone who may be using your computer and let them know of this policy.

If you do go over your bandwidth 3 Rivers Communications will send you a notification. This letter will outline the conditions of going over your bandwidth limitations which include your speed being lowered and some intermittent connectivity until they drop back below 70% of the monthly allotted usage.

As always if you have any questions or would like more information on how to avoid being fapped in the future then please contact our office at 800-796-4567 and ask for the WildBlue dept.

3 Rivers Communications
WildBlue Division