Data Transfer Usage Policy

At Astound Broadband, we believe in providing the best value for the highest quality service, and when it comes to Internet service, that means providing our customers with proactive and responsible management of our Internet access networks.

All activity online is about transferring data. A web page is in essence a file, and when you visit a web page you are downloading that file, including everything on the page, such as the pictures. You may also send/receive email, download files from the web, stream video, play games, or upload files.

Transferring data uses network bandwidth, the same network bandwidth that all users in your area use to access the Internet. So if one user in your area uses 1000 times the bandwidth that everyone else does, any change this causes in network performance will affect all users on that network.

When a network’s usage is unbalanced, such as when a small percentage of the people on the network use a large percentage of the network’s bandwidth, then it takes additional resources to manage that network and to make sure that all users on the network can access the Internet according to their service level.

That’s why we actively manage our networks, and continuously expand to add even more resources when needed.

By allocating bandwidth to each Internet service account, and assessing a nominal fee for usage beyond that amount, we can optimize our resources accordingly.

Determining the data transfer allocation amount requires a balancing act between the needs of an individual’s use of the network and the requirements of maintaining a healthy, efficient network for all. We determined the data transfer allocation for each service level based on the overall bandwidth usage needed to optimize the network for all users, and we set the amount high enough that the vast majority of our users do not reach it.

Data transfer usage and limitations associated with each level of Internet service are as follows:

Less than 15 Mbps: 100 GB
15 – 50 Mbps: 300 GB
55 – 100 Mbps: 400 GB
250 – 300 Mbps: 500 GB
500 – 600 Mbps: 1 TB
1000 Mbps and higher: Unlimited

The data allotment that a customer receives applies to the original speed tier that was initially purchased. Data allotments do not increase if a customer received a courtesy loyalty speed tier increase from Astound.

Additional data allotments, up to unlimited allotments, are available in many areas. Please refer to Astound’s rate card for your area for additional details, including pricing (which may be found at www.astound.com/policies-disclaimers). If you select an unlimited plan, data overage charges do not apply. For any additional questions, please contact us at 1-800-427-8686.

If you exceed the included data transfer allotment amount within the calendar month, you will be charged a data transfer fee for the overage. The fee is $6.50 for the first 1-25 GB over the usage amount included with your service level, and $6.50 more for each additional 1-25 GB over that.

For example, if the data transfer allotment amount included with your account is 300 GB, and your use during the calendar month is 342 GB, then your Data Transfer Fee for that month will be $13.

There are also double data and unlimited data plans you can select to meet your needs each month that can help avoid monthly overage fees.

If your Internet service is for a business or telecommuting from a home office, please contact our small business solutions team at 1-833-249-2786 to find out about higher capacity, business-class products available to you.

You can view your data transfer activity anytime you’re on your MyAstound account at my.astound.com. View your current month’s activity as well as your data transfer activity for the last two months, and sign up to receive email notifications if your data transfer usage approaches the amount included with your service level.

What counts toward your data transfer usage? All activity that takes place over your Internet connection that involves data being transferred (downstream / downloading and upstream / uploading are aggregated for purposes of determining your consumption) during each calendar month.

Here are some things to keep in mind when considering your data usage:

• All devices in your home that utilize your internet connection, including laptops, desktops, gaming consoles or handheld devices, count towards your data transfer activity.

• If you have multiple internet users in your household using the same account, internet activity for all users is aggregated at the account level.

• If you use a wireless router in conjunction with your internet service and that connection is not properly secured, other users outside your household could be using the connection, adding to your data transfer usage.

• It’s possible for viruses or malware on your computer to cause activity that would add to your data transfer usage. Properly installed and regularly updated virus software should protect you from this possibility, in most cases.

In order to optimize your connection speed and your overall Internet experience, remember to maintain your virus protection software, secure your home network, and make sure you have ample speed to accommodate all the users in your home.

Each Internet activity is unique, but here are some average file sizes to give you an idea of what your data usage might be:

Average email: 59 KB
Average web page: 130 KB
Average song file: 4 MB
Average digital photo: 5 MB
Average standard def movie: 2 GB
Average hour of online gaming: 15-30 MB

For example, if the amount of data transfer allocated to your account is 100 GB, then that would be equivalent to:

Sending/receiving 1,694,915 emails, or
Viewing 769,230 websites, or
Downloading 25,000 songs, or
Downloading 20,000 photos, or
Downloading 50 standard movies, or
Downloading 20 HD movies, or
Online gaming for 3,400 hours

Astound offers multiple packages of High Speed Data (HSD) Service with varying speeds, features and bandwidth usage allocations (not all packages are available in all areas). You must comply with all current terms of use set forth in Astound’s Policies and Disclaimers governing your use of our HSD Service. Important policies that govern your use of Astound’s HSD Service include, but are not limited to our Customer Terms and Conditions, High Speed Internet Service Addendum, Internet Access Agreement, and other terms of use that correspond with the service plan you have selected, all of which may be found at www.astound.com/policies-disclaimers.

In addition to complying with the limitations for specific features, you must ensure that your activities do not improperly restrict, inhibit, or degrade any other user’s use of the HSD Service, nor represent (in Astound’s sole judgment) an unusually great burden on our network itself. By way of example, common activities that may cause excessive bandwidth consumption in violation of our terms of use include, but are not limited to, numerous or continuous bulk transfers of files and other high capacity traffic using (i) file transfer protocol, (ii) peer-to-peer applications, and (iii) newsgroups.

In addition, you must ensure that your use does not improperly restrict, inhibit, disrupt, degrade or impede Astound’s ability to deliver the Service and monitor the HSD Service, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services. Your use of excessive bandwidth (as determined by Astound in its sole discretion) may result in the suspension or termination of your HSD Service, or require you to upgrade the HSD Service and/or pay additional fees if you wish to continue to use the HSD Service at higher bandwidth consumption levels.

You understand and agree that the actual throughput rate you may experience at any time will vary based on numerous factors, such as, without limitation, the condition of wiring at your location, computer configurations, Internet and network congestion and management, the time of day at which the HSD Service is used, and the website servers you access, among other factors.

Each tier of HSD Service includes an allotment of bandwidth consumption (downstream or downloading and upstream or uploading are aggregated for purposes of determining your consumption) that you may use during each calendar month at no additional charge. You agree that you will pay for additional bandwidth consumed beyond that allotment at the rates set forth in this Data Transfer Usage policy. Your bandwidth allotment resets on the 2nd of each month.

You agree Astound may change these and other applicable limits or terms of any tiers by amending the prices, aspects and features of the HSD Service at any time and from time to time. You should periodically review our Policies and Disclaimers applicable to your use of the HSD Service from time to time, which may be found at www.astound.com/policies-disclaimers. Your continued use of the HSD Service after any such changes will constitute acceptance of any new and revised limits and terms.

It is also your responsibility to monitor and manage your bandwidth usage, which you may check using the online usage monitor available after logging into your account at my.astound.com/login.