Most Internet service providers have a bandwidth limit. Even if they advertise unlimited Internet, there is usually some level of transfer that will red flag in their system and cause them to take action. This is usually in the form of calling you to up-sell their service or, in extreme situations, cutting off your service.
Most people will never run into this problem. ISPs can advertise unlimited data because the soft cap (this is the bandwidth limit) is so ridiculously high that a user would have to try pretty hard to hit it. Most users can go about their business without ever coming even remotely close to the limit.
So why impose limits? From a consumer standpoint, many feel cheated by the fact that they are not really getting unlimited service when theyre paying for unlimited service. But this is more to protect an ISP or WISPs customer base than anything else, after all – they dont make more money by cutting off peoples service.
How does a bandwidth cap improve customer experience? The simple answer is that ISPs can ensure that they do not oversell their bandwidth.
So whats the big deal with bandwidth getting oversold? As an ISP or...