[LINK] NBN Co clamps down on satellite usage

[David Boxall]

<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/565806/nbn-co-clamps-down-satellite-usage/>

Time was, if I needed it, I could buy more capacity ("Data Blocks", not 
bandwidth).

In some respects, the service is better than dialup, but speed and 
latency are such that calling it broadband is a bad joke. At least I was 
never promised fibre.

 From the NBNCo handout:
Service Provider Information regarding application of the
ISS Fair Use Policy Rules

30 January 2015
This Information Brief document is intended as a generic aide for RSPs 
to customise and use as
a basis for their own communications to end users subject to their own 
assessment of accuracy
and applicability in the context of their end user relationships.
Background:
*  On 3 April 2014, the Government committed $18.4m towards improving 
the performance of NBN Co’s Interim
Satellite Service (ISS). This included a third more capacity and the 
introduction of new network optimisation
initiatives. As a result, NBN Co has demonstrated that ISS is capable of 
delivering an improved end user
experience when the network ‘Fair Use’ Rules are applied.
*  NBN Co updated the ISS Fair Use Policy (FUP) early last year to 
ensure that usage of the service by individual
end users was not adversely impacting the service for other users.
*  A small number of high volume (download) users operating outside the 
Fair Use Rules are impacting other ISS
users under certain conditions.
*  In December 2014, NBN Co requested that all ISS RSPs begin enforcing 
the FUP to reduce the demand from
their high volume users to no more than 50GB download per 4 week rolling 
aggregate of usage, measured
weekly (the Threshold download limit) so as to facilitate RSP compliance 
with the ISS Fair Use Policy.
*  If RSPs continue to not comply with the Fair Use Policy, then NBN Co 
will exercise its rights under the WBA by
limiting identified services (users exceeding Threshold download limit) 
from February 2015 if this becomes
necessary.
*  NBN Co also reserves its rights to apply additional network service 
limitations if high volume users continue to
impact other ISS users.

Messaging Key Points:
*  On 3 April 2014, the Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull 
announced.$18.4 million worth of
additional capacity for the 44,000 existing users of the ISS.
*  NBN Co expects that on average, end users will receive access to 
around a third more capacity during peak
periods, which will enable them to better carry out tasks like email, 
Internet banking and Voice over Internet
Protocol (VOIP) services, such as Skype.
*  RSPs have been requested to rigidly apply the ISS Fair User Policy 
Rules, which means that large download
(GB) usage may be limited.
*  NBN Co expects that less than 5% of ISS users will likely be impacted 
by the application of a download limit.
*  NBN Co and Retail Service Providers will continue to work together to 
ensure that the end user experience is
consistent with the expected improved outcomes for the majority of ISS 
End Users.
...
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Your NBN Interim Satellite Service
Date: 	Wed, 11 Feb 2015 11:19:30 +1000 (EST)
From: 	SkyMesh Customer Service
To: 	SkyMesh Members


Dear SkyMesh Member,

This is a notice from SkyMesh about your NBN Interim Satellite Service.

NBN Co has recently taken steps to improve the peak-hour performance of 
the NBN Interim Satellite Service.  One of those steps is the 
introduction of a new Threshold Download Limit under its Fair Use Policy 
for the NBN Interim Satellite Service.

Following the introduction of NBN Co’s new Fair Use Policy rule, we have 
amended the NBN Interim Satellite Service Customer Agreement.  The 
updated agreement is attached to this email.  We have simply added the 
following sentence to the agreement:

“You acknowledge that NBN Co itself may limit or cease the supply of 
your Service if NBN Co, in its own opinion, considers your use of the 
Service to be inappropriate or excessive.”

Based on your current Plan, we do not think you will be affected by NBN 
Co’s new Fair Use Policy rule or the amended customer agreement.  
However, since the customer agreement has changed, we would like to 
notify you that the changes will take effect on Tuesday, 24 February 2015.

NBN Co’s Threshold Download Limit is 50 GB of peak-hour download usage 
during any four week period.  Customers that exceed the Threshold 
Download Limit may have their Peak Information Rate reduced by NBN Co to 
128/128 kbps for a period of two weeks (the Service Reduction).  
Customers that continue downloading during peak hours might see their 
Peak Information Rate reduced even further or have the initial two week 
period extended. Please see the attached PDF document from NBN Co 
regarding its Fair Use Policy for the NBN Interim Satellite Service.

In response to NBN Co’s new rule, we have also placed restrictions on 
the availability of Data Blocks and changed how we apply speed limiting 
to customers that exceed their Normal Data Allowance.

Additional Data Blocks can no longer be purchased if you are in danger 
of exceeding NBN Co’s Threshold Download Limit.  If NBN Co applies a 
Service Reduction to your service, purchasing a Data Block will not 
temporarily remove the Service Reduction.

If you exceed your Normal Data Allowance during a Billing Period, your 
Peak Information Rate will be reduced at all times for the remainder of 
that Billing Period (except during Off Peak Hours if you  have remaining 
Bonus Data available). The Peak Information Rate will initially be 
reduced to 128/128 kbps.  If you increase your Excess Data Usage by 
placing a continuous load on the service, your Peak Information Rate 
will be progressively reduced.

We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused, but NBN Co is 
confident that you will see an improvement in the performance of your 
NBN Interim Satellite Service as they enforce its Fair Use Policy for 
all RSPs.
....
-- 
David Boxall                         | "Cheer up" they said.
                                     | "Things could be worse."
http://david.boxall.id.au            | So I cheered up and,
                                     | Sure enough, things got worse.
                                     | --Murphy's musing