A.8 Broadband AUPs

If you depend on cheap broadband connections, you must consider the appropriate use policies (AUPs) of your broadband providers.

A.8.1 Cable

There are already laws on the books that restrict the sharing of cable bandwidth—cable companies have been dealing with the issue since the birth of their industry in the 1960s. AUPs may not need to spell out restrictions explicitly covering the sharing of Internet access with neighbors. Also, the cable industry specifically has 802.11 on their radar; see http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/WEBONLY/resource/apr02/webs.html for details.

Cable providers are scared of NAT, which gives ISP customers the ability to add additional computers to an internal network without applying for additional IP addresses. Cable providers are proposing an alternative to NAT that would allow them to see the actual number of users behind a NAT box and account for a customer's usage of their network.

A.8.2 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

DSL providers are also concerned about oversubscription to their low-cost services. Bandwidth is expensive, and a $50 monthly fee will not cover the cost of a 1.5Mbps DSL going flat-out, 24 hours a day. There is a very good chance that broadband providers will start to charge for extra bandwidth, cap the bandwidth, or be time-sensitive in the usage.

Some Internet providers make no limitations and actually encourage "reselling" of the connection. Normally you will have to pay a premium for this service. Check with the provider for restrictions.

Here's a sample of an AUP with no restrictions:

TLGNet's TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TLGnet exercises no control whatsoever over the content of the information passing through TLGnet. You are free to communicate commercial, noncommercial, personal, questionable, obnoxious, annoying, or any other kind of information, misinformation, or disinformation through our service. You are fully responsible for the privacy of, content of, and liability for your own communications.

TLGnet exercises no control whatsoever over the content of the information passing through TLGnet. TLGnet makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. TLGnet also disclaims any warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. TLGnet will not be responsible for any damages you suffer or inflict on others. This includes loss resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via TLGnet is at your own risk. You are responsible for determining whether or not the traffic you originate will end up being carried on another network, and for following the rules of any such networks. TLGnet specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Any access to other networks connected to TLGnet must comply with the rules appropriate with the other network. Use of TLGnet itself may be for any purpose. Use of TLGnet for commercial purposes is both permitted and encouraged.