Streaming Media
Web Browsing
Social Networking
Multi Player/Web Games
Instant Messaging
Email Communications

However, I agree that usage habbits lend themselves to artificial caps which is one of the reasons that allowed ISPs to move to an unlimited model.

You understand, finally someone who understands.

Unless you are running a bootleg shop selling DVD’s or BluRay Disc at a Flea Market there is no reason to be hogging bandwidth 24/7. I myself download large files but I don’t have the resources (hard drive space) to store all that data. I myself have over a terabyte of storage and cannot download constantly on my connection due to my personal CAP of hard drive space. When I do use my 10Mbps connection I download what I need quickly thus freeing up the bandwidth in less time than if I were to have a 1Mbps connection. I could opt for the 8Mbps or 1Mbps connection and save myself some money but I’m happier getting what I need faster.

Speed: 1Mbps
Data: 21 GB
Ratio: 21 GB / Mbps / month

Speed: 8Mbps
Data: 34 GB
Ratio: 4.25 GB / Mbps / month

Speed: 10Mbps
Data: 66 GB
Ratio: 6.6 GB / Mbps / month

Between the three tiers you see:

8Mbps -> 10Mbps is a 64% higher usage ratio
1Mbps -> 10Mbps is a 318% lower usage ratio
1Mbps -> 8Mbps is a whopping 494% lower usage ratio

but in terms of speed : usage ratio, the best deal is clearly the 1Mbps service since your usage rate per Mbps is 21 GB.

Must be that faster Internet is much less interesting and so usage doesn’t scale linearly.

I personally think that there is a more or less asymptotic curve when it comes to data usage. The asymptote moves over time (upward) but with the exception of extreme outliers, most people do fall into a non-linear curve in terms of amount of data they use (on a speed / data usage plot).

Linear increases in speed don’t appear to translate into linear data usage increase (from my own empirical data and from this Clovis data). When I changed from RR Turbo to regular (to save money and make a political point to the business about data caps) I didn’t see my data usage drop at all. My monthly usage is fairly consistent with regard to amount of data, but the time spent online actively transferring data is increased (because it takes longer).

If cable’s big problem is time spent online actively transferring data (i.e. using bandwidth) then it would be in their best interest to increase speeds for everyone which lets them get on and offline again faster than with slower connections, though their overall data usage will remain fairly constant.

Just my own observation and indeed it appears to be borne out by the Clovis data.

*Note* To be clear: data caps are not a solution and should not be tolerated. My point is that data caps are ineffective since people essentially cap themselves through their own usage habits. It’s the speed that matters and increasing everyone’s speed will keep people online for shorter periods of time freeing up bandwidth more frequently for others to use. Slow connections encourage (indeed require) users to stay connected longer to get the same amount of data thus tying up that bandwidth while they download/upload.