New York (NY) - Time Warner Internet customers who download a ton of material may find themselves paying more money later this year.

Time Warner Cable, the second biggest provider in the country, said it will start a new payment scheme in Beaumont, Texas, where users will need to choose a specific tier based on how much content they download per month.

This would replace the current industry standard of charging one flat rate for unlimited data access.  Time Warner says it wants to improve performance by creating a barrier for super heavy downloaders.

The cable provider says that the top 5% of downloaders account for 50% of all bandwidth capacity.

Company spokesperson Alex Dudley said it would begin the trial in the second quarter of 2008, and would only apply to new customers.  Existing customers will be able to hold on to their current no-limit plan.

Profit grab, no slack for minimal users....

Jan 17, 2008 16:30     

Let me guess, new subscribers that don't need the "premium" service will still pay the same rate as the existing customers that have unlimited plans. Time Warner has learned the lesson of any good drug dealer, get 'em hooked then charge whatever you like. If I were to allow my optimistic side to shine through just a little, I'd say that if the new "premium" plan includes much higher UPLOAD speeds to complement the unlimited downloads then it just might be worth the added cost. But we all know that just won't happen.

Rob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Bye Bye RoadRunner

Jan 17, 2008 16:51     

I wouldn't sign up for that. Switch to DSL and get unlimited!
N report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

will they pass the savings on?

Jan 17, 2008 17:03     

I'd love to think so, but I seriously doubt that my plan will get any cheaper, for *not* being a "super heavy downloader"...
anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

What about down times?

Jan 17, 2008 18:24     

Their they go charge more and not deliver what the saw... My uptime with Time Warner is about 75%.. But I get charged 100% .. And what about quarantining speed.. Just have to love the 'Upto" spec.. where is the 'Minimum' speed.. The want to throttle you back when it profits them and still charge you for the 'Upto' speed rate.. The fact is that WWW access eats the bandwidth for TV and they don't care about the WWW access..They get buy charging High rates for little. Compare the Cable TV charge against the WWW charge. The have to pay for the shows but not the web page you view.. It's a crime.

Joe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I am going to drop them once that pricing model com...

Jan 18, 2008 08:28     

I am going to drop them once that pricing model comes out. forget them. I can order a few dsl lines and still cheaper.
a report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

adf

Jan 18, 2008 08:48     

Ummm....WAT?
anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Could be a good thing.

Jan 18, 2008 13:56     

Depending on their prices plan this could be a great thing. I know i'd pay much more than I do now for a higher connection speed or more consistant one. If they make a low tier and limit their speed for a cheaper price (saving more bandwith for higher tiers). Then do the same with a mid,high, and premium tier it would be a good thing. Everyone would win. Although i doubt they'll go about it that way.

Just Me report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

could be a good thing... not

Jan 18, 2008 17:17     

from what I've heard and read, the 'normal' BW price will be the same as current prices for unlimited. they are just going to jack up for higher usage customers. the things we would have to see is how much BW is considered the 'norm' and how much is more going to cost? I'm pretty sure this will be cheaper than the old AOL model of 10 hours for $20 a month, but regardless it is stupid and I'm glad I have my DSL

sam report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

how do you know you will be on the lower tier?

Jan 18, 2008 18:37     

You are just assuming. Yea once verizon is available in my area. Its available everywhere else around. I'm going to switch to there 15/15 meg line for 52-60 bucks. Depending on how wimax is looking. Then I'm going to tell time warner I switched because they are trying to disrupt net neutrality in texas. F You!
loujob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Time to change ISP

Jan 20, 2008 09:00     

Well, they can do whatever they want, im changing ISPs.....
Mantrhax report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0