Someone told me today that internet providers start charging more when you visit websites such as youtube, facebook, etc.

Is this true? It is apparently fairly new, just this year did internet providers charge people this way.

They don't charge you for visiting those websites. They start charging you when you go over your monthly quota.

Whoever told you this misunderstood what they were listening to. Going to websites which host large files (yes videos count even if you stream and don't download) will make you go over your quota sooner and thus your ISP will start charging you.

What you're thinking about is "Net Neutrality". The examples your friend used are more examples of what could happen if Net Neutrality (as we enjoy it today) is not preserved.

Right now in the U.S. and Canada, there are intense debates on this. On one side, your ISP does not want net neutrality. They could potentially block sites and make them "add-on packages", like the example your friend gave. Imagine Cable TV applied to the internet: Basic, Basic Plus, and Sports, etc. packages available.

But, myself and almost everyone else in the world (including the inventor of the internet) wants the internet to stay open, like it is today.

More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality
http://www.savetheinternet.c om/

EDIT: NOTE: It is not implemented yet. In the U.S., John McCain is pushing the "Internet Freedom Act" (ironic, because it takes away freedom) which would allow ISPs to abolish Net Neutrality, and charge extra.

Thank you guys for the responses.

Is their anyway to know if you are over your quota? I always go to youtube and facebook just like everyone and so this really sucks. Nothing is free in this world anymore. Who knows someday people will be charged for breathing certain amounts of air.

Funny you should say that, Iamanonymous.

In Bolivia several years ago the country privatized water, making it really expensive for the population (which is relatively poor) to afford. So people would collect rain water to use. Then that was made illegal. Protests ensued.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050214/shultz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochabamba_Riots_of_2 000

There are various programs that you can download for free. I have never used any so I cant recommend any. Just search up bandwidth monitor and you will get a ton. I know there are some that will only monitor your computer and others that can monitor your whole network.

Depending on who your network provider is, you can log onto an account that will tell you what percentage of your bandwidth you've used so far. I have Cogeco, and I know they offer this.

Originally Posted by Iamanonymous

Thank you guys for the responses.

Is their anyway to know if you are over your quota? I always go to youtube and facebook just like everyone and so this really sucks. Nothing is free in this world anymore. Who knows someday people will be charged for breathing certain amounts of air.

I could be waaaay off here, because I'm not great with computers. But if you're going "over quota", it sounds like you don't have cable internet.

If you switch to cable, you pay one flat fee and you can use the internet as much as you want, all the time.


(Maybe it's just because I've always had cable, but it amazes me that some people don't have it. Are there advantages to the other ways?)

Originally Posted by Iamanonymous

Thank you guys for the responses.

Is their anyway to know if you are over your quota? I always go to youtube and facebook just like everyone and so this really sucks. Nothing is free in this world anymore. Who knows someday people will be charged for breathing certain amounts of air.

Cogeco's here: http://www.cogeco.ca/nwf/login/webus...ou nt2009onen

But any other ISP should have "My Account" listed somewhere.

Originally Posted by Kathy2

I could be waaaay off here, because I'm not great with computers. But if you're going "over quota", it sounds like you don't have cable internet.

If you switch to cable, you pay one flat fee and you can use the internet as much as you want, all the time.


(Maybe it's just because I've always had cable, but it amazes me that some people don't have it. Are there advantages to the other ways?)

You'd be surprised. Especially splitting 60GB per month with 5 people who like to watch TV online (and have no cable) like my friend's house.

image is not real afaik

You have a certain limit to the bandwidth you can use. It all depends with what package you have. They usually start off at 60GB. Last year in my house we had worked out way up to 200GB of bandwidth because there were 7 of us and we like to download movies/tv/youtube.
I have heard with Bell internet they don't monitor your bandwidth but that was just what I have heard through the grape vine. With Cogeco we got cut off for 24 hours because we massively exceeded our bandwidth.