Xfinity data caps coming soon...
Looks like 2021 is going to bring new data caps from xfinity. 1.2Tb, with overage fees. Overage fees currently are $10 for each 50Gb over the limit with a maximum of $100, or pay $30 more each month for unlimited.
The broadband space needs more competition. While I'm not a fan of additional government regulation, the whole exclusivity agreement thing with providers locks out competition and makes customers prisoners of tactics like these and needs oversight/control.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/11/comcasts-data-cap-finally-goes-nationwide-in-expansion-to-12-more-states/
The_Bishop Get off the computer and tv..problem solved.. 1.2 tb .. how much data could a person need.. Go out do something once in a while..Sorry
Old TimerThen they need to implement an unlimited plan which has not been offered in NJ to date.
CraftBeerBob Old Timer- It may not be that simple. With the lockdown mania folks may have two adults working from home as well as children having virtual schooling. Add in "normal" usage and limits could be hit.
I do agree however- less screen time and more fresh air does a body and mind good!
Greg Just a thought here but I am sure Comcast is losing money on people switching from cable TV to streaming services which are delivered via their broadband. Perhaps they are capping the data limits to make streaming services less affordable and bringing people back to cable?
JB400 JB400
That was my thought when I saw this too, that they didn't expect the large amount of people "cutting the cable", even though they list that in their packaging. I don't think they may be trying to "lure" people back as much as making the "cable cutting" alternative more to their benefit to make up for the losses by people dropping TV services through them.
Another thing to think about is that I got a popup notice from Norton security today when I got home that stated that it (my Norton protection) would no longer be available through Xfinity. I don't know if that means they're dropping free security protection too or are switching to McAfee or another program. It's really super that now that more things are being done from home as a necessity, they seem to be taking advantage of it, unless they have to do major equipment upgrades to their system in order to keep up with demand.
Phil D. Unless of course if subscribe to the unlimited plan ( coming soon of course)
https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/data#e7d0f35e-2633-43bb-8248-d820d9ca6b59
dodgebaaall With this coming out I checked our data usage on their site. We stream through YouTube tv, netflix and prime. 2 adults working from home and 1 child virtual learning and we ranged between 600-800GB. With the cap at 1.2TB the average household should be fine.
Parentof2 Silly question, how do you determine what you’re using now? I would love to get rid of my cable and only pay for internet. Afraid to cut the cord, lol.
Bessie I will need to go unlimited. Average 6 months usage is 1400 MB of 1.4TB. Profile is 3 adults all working from home and 3 high school students remote learning, stream all must all television and 2 active gamers and 6 cell phones.
Norton is no longer included as on Jan 2021. You have to pay or rent a XFI router. You should have an email from Comcast about this. Via that email I bought a year for a dollar yesterday. Not sure if that deal is still valid though. Click the link in the email you got from them.
MK Just another greedy cable company doing it's best to screw you over more. More fees. Additional revenue for doing absolutely nothing. It may be time for Hackettstown to build out their own municipal fiber internet. Internet is a utility, it's time to admit it.
GreedyComcast Somewhat soon Broadband 5G will be available and that should make the Cable Company go the way of the newspaper. Goodbye cable company and coax cable LOL. They are going to have to reinvent themselves
Makes you question if Comcast took the majority of their users low average, and chose a cap right below that number just to force the 30.00 unlimited plan fee.
Nothing like paying 130.00 a month for internet.
I average 1.2 to 1.4TB a month. 2 Adults, 1 kid, mostly streaming.
Craftbeerlover GreedyComcast: Best Idea I've seen in a long time. Except I would say Warren and Sussex Counties should partner and build it out. It's been a major issue for Sussex county college, Thor Labs, Congressmen Gottheimer, among many others.
I'm afraid I'm one of the users who am high user - anywhere from 800GB to 2TB a month, but most of it it automated and late at night - server backups, file sync, etc.
Unlimited is $30 and overage is $10 for each $50....up to $100?!?!?!? What a rip off. That's straight up blackmail. There is no form of pond scum lower than comcast.
Buy unlimited or we'll f*** you the first time you go over.
AND they're raising rates? During a pandemic? There's really no floor these amoral pricks can't dig under.
Check out their profit margins. These folks make billions upon billions. Their profits have dropped slightly in 2020, so we're all getting punished for it.
alpha1beta I think the story pretty much says it all: CC has been trialing this in many states for years and obviously believe they can competitively get away with it against FIOS and others. Verizon Wireless been doing it as well.
There does not seem to be a technical reason and CC seems to be able to deal with congestion issues even during this period of much WAH, remote learning, and kids at home.
So, here it comes, and yes, it's all about money. These guys love tiered pricing and would even charge based on QoS if they could get away with it. Worked with corporate in the past and they even thought about rolling out phone service with good, better, best quality. Imagine that --- pay less for a scratchy call......
Bottom line: find a competitor or, as the story says: "It's a bit convoluted: customers who sign up for unlimited data in December or January will have the $30 unlimited-data charge waived until June, the Comcast spokesperson told Ars. People who sign up for unlimited data in February or March would be charged the extra $30 fee starting in April." At least that will buy you 6 months.
strangerdanger When I got my house, Optimum wasn't available here. A quick perusal of the Optimum web site sure looks like I get get their service now. Anyone use them, and how are they? Will be making an exploratory call to them tomorrow.
Bishop: I've seen parts of Hackettstown show up as available on optimum's site in the past. However, if you live within the town (not mailing address) borders, they don't have the franchise, and you're stuck with Comcast.
This question is a little off topic but would anyone know if all the traffic on xfinity now is causing cable tv pixelation ? I have one tv that lately is having this issue, the other 2 are fine. I got a new box because of this and though improved still have some. Don't want to call for service and get charged if it may be an internal home problem
Route 46:
I've got a hackettstown mailing address, but actually Independence Twp off of 517.
thanks Bug3 Did the loose cable thing. New HDMI cable with new box and problem was there on old box so it should be good. I will run the line to the room and make sure all the connections on the cable line are good
Bug3 thanks for the advice one of the connections for the coax cable was a little loose and I tighten it up. Pixelation seems to be gone now.
Heck with the data cap pricing check this out. New price increases for next month. So many, so confusing, that I'm not sure how much it goes up even after seeing all the numbers.
And the schmucks had the nerve to spend me an email notification without any $$$$ to warn me.....gee, thanks. Jerks.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/25/21719695/comcast-internet-tv-cost-bill-increase-price-2021#:~:text=In%20a%20statement%20to%20Ars,TV%20boxes%20on%20additional%20outlets.
my internet company also has data caps, it was 1TB but they went to 1.5TB a few months ago. they are 100% doing this because of people cutting the cord and just ordering internet and not TV. so if you want to stream all your tv in HD and have a few people in the house you will be forced to upgrade to their unlimited package so they can get back some of that lost $$. i used 1.3TB of the 1.5 last month but i download huge 50-100GB files often.
for 3 years i have used mobdro running on a few $30 android boxes for tv. i offered to buy 15 channels from the cable company but you all know what they say to that....so ill stick with mobdro and sites like couchtuner for my needs....sorry times are tough.
Stuck in PA This email arrived today from xfinity:
"It's our goal to provide the fastest and most reliable Internet services to meet our customers’ current needs and to be prepared for future demands. This has required investment in our high-capacity network, which impacts our pricing. As a result, the price of your Xfinity Internet service will increase by $3, starting with your next bill."
OnTheEdge They have no high speed internet competition in this area . Price increases cover the cost of people dropping their cable tv service for streaming . But being honest isn't that company's policy and never was to begin with .
97XBAM Ontheedge
Check out the fee incresses for broadcast,franchise and sports...closer to $15
Courtney1 Can't wait to see mine in that after this first posted, I called. Two modem resets, a drop, and an extraordinary wait time later, the gent said due to my "package," I would not see an increase. Well, I knew my "package" would return profit someday :>)
I have a pretty basic package, but they put the "sports package" on top which added TCM back (after they killed it from my former package) and added some DVR all for a few dollars less than my former package. It's a deal that ends 10/21.
They have a number of price increases, however, supposedly I am immune. Time will tell because certainly there is ZERO transparency to Comcast pricing. Used car salesmen could learn tricks here. Shameful. To see a price, you have to log on. And then it's almost impossible to match your bill to their offer. Thieves would be a kind term for these a$$hatS.
Oh the irony. Boomers with pension plans, paid off 1/2 to 1million dollar homes, free Medicare for life, boomer discounts at restaurants, free lifetime passes for parks, free donuts and coffee, and all you do is complain about paying for cable tv.
dodgebaal Actually, what I was complaining about was shameful pricing packages with a total lack of transparency, plus price gouging. Do I get the free ride as Comcast rep said, or did GF me? Only time will tell because normal citizens can never determine what their prices really are.
Although, in thinking about it, it seems to appear that you are the one complaining about my age, retirement planning and real estate assets (you're a bit high there), parks passes and freebies. FYI --- park passes are not free anymore ---- I took the last one. So, you can su......ooops, forgot myself. Have a great day! :>)
Stev I second that Steve. I want a asymmetrical gig speeds up and down. Just like FIOS.
maja2 CraftBeerBob I had an older router. The new one is a TP Link Mesh wi fi router AC1750. The router I replaced didn't have an antenna. https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1750-Smart-WiFi-Router/dp/B079JD7F7G
maja -
Is that the connection speed from your wireless device to the router -or- your download speeds from Comcast?
I'm connected at 1083 Mbps to my wireless router on the 5 ghz band. My actual download speed (via speedtest) from the Internet is 220 Mbps (on a 200 Mbps service.)
If Comcast is capping residential service at 300, I suspect the 585 is wireless connection to the router on the 2 ghz band.
emaxxman 
3wbdwnj Hey 3wbdwnj
The fees for the franchise fee, sports pack and broadcast channel fee also went up
Did you see a actual bill or just a email advising you?
@Bug3 It was in an email. We only use it for internet. Cut the cable cord a few years ago.
This went onto effect yesterday;
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/12/law-banning-rental-fees-for-customer-owned-routers-takes-effect-sunday/
Law banning “rental” fees for customer-owned routers takes effect.
maja - makes sense. thanks.
If you switch to the 5 ghz band, you'll get even faster performance (not that it matters that much give the speed that it's at already.)
Ah yes, just like Verizon "improved" their networks on your dime:
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200127/09334443804/look-more-giant-isps-taking-taxpayer-money-unfinished-networks.shtml
What a joke. Take your money and laugh all the way to the bank. They are not improving infrastructure. It's all the same infrastructure and the same wiring as 20 years ago.
They are taking your monthly payment, money from the government and tax payer dollars. Make billions in profits. The company's revenue has more than tripled in the last ten years. Meanwhile they can't handle the traffic all of a sudden? No. They are liars. They are cheats. They will slowly keep ratcheting up the price until you wake up and demand fair pricing.
Other countries would be aghast to find out what you pay for internet here in the US:
https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/internet-costs-compared-worldwide
Looks like I will need to move to unlimited. With 2.1 TB for December it will make sense for me. Kids being forced to remote in early December and new 4K gaming system and 4 streamers put me well over the 1.2TB limit.
I wish I could get Verizon Fios. A relative has it and it has some serious bandwidth. And always buy your equipment unless you will be moving in under one year.
iJay We go over 1.2tb every month with me working from home and everyone streaming everything.
Smilingbecs 
Bob, where did you see that message? Been trying to see about adding unlimited to avoid the overages.
Craftbeerbob - thanks, yes I did see that message. I'll definitely be using the next two months to see where we can cut back as I'm sure it can be done.
Bishop on the app on my mobile. If you click on Internet button to see your usage the message is there.
Going over 1.2 TB
If you go over again, data will be added in 50 GB increments ($10 each) to your account. You won't be charged more than $100 in a month.
In the original post it says unlimited is $30 more a month. I lazily looked on the xfinity website and couldn't verify the amount.
Shows $30 extra per month for me. Looks there are a few options which include renting their modem which I’m not interested in.
At $10 per 50gb you’ll get to that $30 price tag real quick. My usage has never been lower then 1.2tb.
I’m getting the unlimited but I’m not happy having to do so. I so hate Comcast
I don't think the unlimited data plan is really unlimited...as usual the devil is in the fine print..called an acceptable usage limit
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/exp-unlimited-limit
Looking to save $14 a month from Comcast and finally turn in their rented modem for one of my own. Does anyone know of a compatible modem to compliment Comcast's Internet service? If so, which brand/model?
Thanks!
Lenny Rock I think it's virtually impossible to figure out Xfinity pricing unless you talk to a human there.
As to my story: "the gent said due to my "package," I would not see an increase" was indeed a gf, a lie -----> my price went up. So, you can't even figure out pricing when you have an "expert" on the phone.
Lenny, I use a Netgear modem, which I purchased from Best Buy. The folks at Best Buy can help you choose a modem that is compatible with COMCAST.
BC Lenny Rock - You may need both a modem and a router or a device that is both. There is a web page that explains how to check what you have and also what devices you can use. Which specific modem/router depends on the speed you've got which is why they send you to a page where you can login to your Comcast account and view the specifics:
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/list-of-approved-cable-modems
GC @Lenny Rock, back when I was on comcast I just bought the same model as I was renting, but I did not have a combined modem/router from them, I always had my own router.
Very advisable, at the time, it paid off for itself in under a year.
Darrin We just passed our limit halfway through the month. 2 kids remote schooling, 2 parents working remotely and Fubo for TV
trick If you have Netflix, HBOMax, Peacock, whatever, and you are streaming it through Infinity Applications, and not directly on the net, does that count against the limit?
YES...it's all consuming bandwidth. Xfinity does not offer 'toll-free' data as an option.
+++
If you have Netflix, HBOMax, Peacock, whatever, and you are streaming it through Infinity Applications, and not directly on the net, does that count against the limit?
strangerdangerstrangerdanger ✉
friendlyMcface Can't really have it both ways....The out of line costs are the result of unfettered capitalism. It's also why healthcare costs are the #1 cause for bankruptcy.
No point in comparing us to 'other countries' as the other countries also offer socialized health care and regulation that would trigger panicky Americans into yelling 'SOCIALIST!'.
so basically we have to pay an extra $30 a month to get the same service we had before. Our family sometimes goes above the 1.2 TB a month due to work and remote school and stay at home practices.
That's quite a steep charge for not a lot of benefit. I used to tell others that Comcast was a terrific option for internet but not any more. This is leaving a bad taste in the mouth.
I'd be OK with a small increase but that is too much!
+++
Other countries would be aghast to find out what you pay for internet here in the US:
https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/internet-costs-compared-worldwide
GreedyComcastGreedyComcast ✉
Don't expect relief soon. Given a lack of competition, the expense of network infrastructure, and the fact that people will be dropping cable TV bundles in lieu of streaming faster than they dropped Ma Bell rental phones, I really doubt Comcast and others will do anything beyond crying the blues about how much TV revenue they are losing. Unless they make their streaming re-bundles like HBOmax, Peacock, Youtube and others competitive over streaming it around Infinity, they will soon leave the media business and become a bandwith vendor. Pipes instead of content. Seems they are having issues cutting the deal with Disney and that's a big one they're missing. And they will have to forgo the bandwith used by anything you stream as an Infinity Application otherwise, why bother. Have my Roku TV for less than a week and I'm ready to cut the cord.
It will be interesting to see what speeds we get if and when 5g is available. My guess is there might be a 2nd cutting of the cord where people give up their cable modem only bills in favor of just a data plan with their mobile carrier. Comcast knows this which is likely why Comcast mobile is a thing.
I hit my cap on the 11th. I'm afraid to look. It may be cheaper to go to business class than the unlimited data - depending on your plan.
I thought you had to have some sort of Comcast service to be able to use their mobile phone services.
Blackcat Fyi
Verizon 5g national is not much better than lte( what Hackettstown is getting)
Verizon 5g ultra wideband is what has fios like speeds and is only available in sports stadiums and a couple big cities
5g national will not replace comcast only 5g wideband will be better
Increase delayed until summer:
https://www.nj.com/business/2021/02/comcast-delaying-new-data-fees-for-nj-customers-until-summer.html
A Comcast spokeswoman maintained that only a small number of customers — referred to as “super users” — would be affected by the new charges. During the pandemic, a typical family has been using roughly 400 gigabytes for work, school, and entertainment like streaming or gaming.
Just wait until 90% of families magically become "super users"
@GreedyComcast
"During the pandemic, a typical family has been using roughly 400 gigabytes for work, school, and entertainment like streaming or gaming."
So far since 2/1 I've used 489 GB of data. Comcast is so full of $hit their eyes are brown.
ChrisK Super users = cord cutters. Comcast view is if you don’t want to buy tv from us, we’ll get that money another way.
Comcast seems to be the lord of measured service and quality of service pricing. They price for speed, bandwidth, channels, whatever they can measure and get away with competitively. They hide their packages, make you dig and dig to understand the offers and pricing, if you ever could.
Now they are getting squeezed by streamers just like Ma Bell got squeezed by phone ownership vs. rental, then longer distance and unlimited. They can see their declining revenue future and don't have a clue what to do about so they are milking whatever cash cow they have to make up the loss.
They even gig you IF you are stupid enough to buy a steaming service though them. So, if you buy HBO Max as a Comcast Service, instead of adding Comcast value, you get billed for the service and billed for the streaming too. You would think as a means of grasping on to their declining revenues they would attempt to add value to said service like maybe taking it off the bandwidth bill, offer simplified access and capitalize on their user interface as a better way to stream. But nooooooo. And their use interface doesn't add value to the stream, it detracts.
Fools be seeing life as transport only any day now.
I went over the cap by 465GB last month. Staying under the cap is just not realistic for the foreseeable future. I'm glad they're delaying the cap for a few more months. I would love to see the breakdown between super users and non super users.
As much as im frustrated with caps coming in...On a different note has anyone had any issues with payments getting received on time at Comcast when sending a check? On Dec 10th I mailed my payment which was due Dec 26th and come January 7th they told me it had never been received so sent a new bill for double the amount which I paid. Then January 14th they magically found my first check and cashed it so now I'm overpaid by one month. That first check was cashed over one month after I sent it. Now they're telling me they didn't get the double payment check and that I'm late again. They want to charge me a penalty. I mailed this check the day after I got the bill January 12th
I think it was to make sure it would get there on time. It was due 26th of Jan. All my other utility checks that were mailed up to two weeks after that have been cashed in utilities paid. Only xfinity checks are delayed. Im trying to find out if its them or something else going on..
Grascal
I'll mention the obvious solution about moving towards online payments, which is what it seems many "theys" are forcing us towards. I've done that for all but two companies, though it's now down to just one.
Previously, JCP&L wouldn't let you pay online, unless you registered for online billing only. Having had problems with online billing before, I was hesitant at the time, so paid by check, but now they allow it, even if you don't go with online billing, so I take care of the bill online.
Elizabethtown Gas was a surprise when I moved back here though. When I registered online and paid that way, they charged a $3.75 fee to have the online payment "handled" by Western Union (at least I think that's who they used). Seeing that, I reverted to good old check, with only the .15/check free from my bank (Valley) and a stamp, so I save $3 per transaction or $36/year. That's enough for over a month worth of gas in the summer.
Perhaps you can make it to the Comcast office and pay directly by check, rather than mailing it out? The only problem there is while they convert it to an electronic payment and don't even keep your physical check (yeah, confused me when I did that for the first time there), my payment that way didn't go through properly and I got sent a service notice as if I hadn't paid. That company has all kinds of issues that need straightened out.
The only thing I do laud them for is that if you call at night for service, you get someone in the Philippines, rather than India. This is NOT a racial issue, but a language issue, by the way. Indians there normally speak British English, with an Indian cadence to it, which is often somewhat difficult for the American ear to understand easily (re: speed and accents on "unusual" syllables, unusual to us anyway). Philippine English is more Americanized English and often with a slower cadence to it, which can make it sound not only less harsh, but also pleasant to the ear, as well as very easy to understand. When you're having issues with your cable service already (and likely internet), that goes a long way towards lessening your anxiety level.
Yes, both countries call centers normally "bend over backwards" to try to give you 100% total satisfaction, but in my own experiences and that of others I've spoken with, the difference is quite palpable.
You can try sending your payment via tracking number or return receipt at the post office. That way you’ll have proof of when the payment was received.
I had a similar experience with payments not being processed in a timely manner by some suppliers. I now pay those bills on line and receive email confirmation of payment.
Grascal your issue is not with Comcast. It’s with the postal service. I have had several pieces of mail take 15 and 18 days to get to me from instate.
PaulyWalnutz Thanks for the input everyone.. I agree online payments.. way to go. Just odd that things seem to only be comcast related. Could very well be volume at the post office. Sounds like they will withhold penalty till the end of February.. so hopefully it will make it by then. Then a switch to online payments seems a good way to go. Although never have been a fan of doing such..
Grascal
Just another note, some banks let you pay online through them rther than going through the website of the provider. I'm pretty sure I remember "Valley" (formerly Valley National Bank) saying that they would do that.
It could be a more comfortable way for you to do it, because I think you can avoid setting up online accounts for each place you want to pay to that way. You'd work it all from your bank account and set up "payees":
https://www.valley.com/ways-to-bank-with-us/personal-online-banking
I'm sure Valley isn't the only bank that does this.
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