SF Gate has a story about Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who have started imposing usage caps on what was previously “unlimited” internet service. I find this trend to be troubling.

In a nutshell, the ISPs are placing limits on how much you can download. They provide you with this connection that can deliver potentially 3 terabytes of data per month (that’s 3,072 gigabytes) and hook you up to an Internet full of rich content including streaming audio and video, and then they tell you you have to stop at 5 gigabytes per month.

Now, I understand, they need to maintain their network, and the network couldn’t possibly handle the load of everyone on it downloading at full speed all the time, but if your network hasn’t got the balls to do its job, then don’t sell it like it does.

From my own perspective, I am a user of open-source software, all of which I download (this is 100% legal with open source), and that can easily add up to more than the 5GB monthly cap imposed in some areas. As such, I will personally consider it grounds for dismissal for my ISP if I am placed under such ridiculous limits.

On the other hand, options are slim. While there exist other broadband ISPs, I can choose to go to an inferior technolgy (DSL), or to sign a two-year contract with many other restricitons that Road Runner doesn’t impose, and I am just not up for that.

I think that the only way we will overcome this and prevent the ISP business from going completely to hell is to make sure that the ISPs are aware that this is not acceptable. Write your ISP today and tell them so.

Incidentally, while I am generally opposed to starting and spreading conspiracy theories, I am going to fuel the fire a little, and point out the obvious: Road Runner is a Time-Warner brand, and Time-Warner is a movie studio (Warner Brothers), publisher (Time-Life), and cable TV provider. The Internet potentially competes with all of these interests. Similarly, Verizon is now in the process of breaking into the cable TV market by way of FiOS TV, and yes, the Internet competes with them there. Both of these companies also provide telephone service, and so may also have a vested interest in voice over IP (VoIP) services such as Vonage being untenable to use. Usage caps can make all of these uses difficult, and it doesn’t take a conspiracy, only a conflict of interest.