How is bandwidth activity calculated?

Question

For the past couple of months, our Internet bill has gone up by $30 or so because we've been exceeding our "bandwidth activity limit". Could excessive downloading be the problem? Personally, the most d/ling I do is on ITunes, (maybe 10-15 songs a month), and I don't think that's a lot, but I'm not sure if this is adding to the problem. I've also been watching TV shows online, but they're just streaming, they're not being downloaded.

My brother and cousin have recently installed a wireless router in the house, so they are using the Internet signal as well. Is this adding to the bandwidth activity cost?

Answer 1

The TV watching and the shared connections are what's killing you.

>>I've also been watching TV shows online, but they're just streaming, they're not being downloaded.

Doesn't matter. Whether you save the data (downloading) or not (streaming), the data is still being transferred through your connection, adding to your usage. Depending on where you're getting your video content, this can range from a few MB to several hundred MB per video, per viewing.

>>...recently installed a wireless router in the house, so they are using the Internet signal as well. Is this adding to the bandwidth activity cost?

Absolutely. Again, no matter who is receiving data or what they do with it, it's still coming through your connection.

Also, make sure that the wireless router is using encryption. If you're not, it's possible for someone else within range to use your internet connection, adding to your monthly usage.

Your data usage is metered just like any other service, like water or electricity. It only matters HOW MUCH of the service you used, not what you used it for.