Kevin Graeme wrote: > > My understanding though is that by going to the tiered plan, they have > imposed on themselves an implied warranty of service. If they provide > the customer less than they pay for, and it amounts to the same level > of service as to a customer paying on a lower tier, then they are in > breach of contract because they are no longer providing the level of > service the higher paying customer is paying the premium to receive.
You might want to read up on overbooking and QoS in ATM networks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_Transfer_Mode#Using_cells_and_virtual_circuits_for_traffic_engineering Then compare that with the folowing text which comes directly from the intranet of a Dutch DSL telco and describes their consumer offer: <quote> DSL Access and Transport The DSL Access and transport network will provision and carry the ATM circuit and therefore the IP traffic to the aggregator. The DSL Access and transport consist of the following components: 1. DSLAM port (ATU-C) 2. ATM Transport capacity 3. Transport Network 4. Connection on aggregator 5. Central connection at Interconnection point DSLAM port (ATU-C) The ATL will be connected to the DSLAM port at the appropriated CO. The Wholesale customer will select the End-user Access Speed. The following access speeds are available: Connection Type Downstream Upstream ADSL 2-8 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 2 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 1 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 512 Kbps 256 Kbps (Line conditions may limit the maximum achievable speed) ATM Transport capacity For every End-user connection telco will configure a PVC relation in the ATM network. The PVC is provisioned between End-user and the aggregator. Only one PVC will be available per End-user. The ATM circuit provisioned by telco will depend on the service: Connection Type Downstream ATM UBR PCR Upstream ATM UBR PCR ADSL 2-8 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 2 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 1 Mbps 512 Kbps ADSL 512 Kbps 256 Kbps The service will reserve 1/25th of the DSL Access Speed in the ATM network. Above 2 Mbps downstream there is no reservation of 1/25th of the DSL Access Speed in the ATM network 2 (only relevant for the ADSL 2-8 Mbps). Downstream is from the interconnection point to the End-user. Transport Network The ATM network will be the transport network for the Service. The service will be provisioned with an ATM UBR service. The Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) service category is a "best effort" service intended for non-critical applications, which do not require tightly constrained delay and delay variation; or a specified quality of service. The following table represents the target quality parameters of the service: Performance Parameter Target value Latency < 20 ms Packet loss < 1% Reserved Throughput 1/25 of DSLAM Access Speed (till max. 1/25 th of 2 Mbps) </quote> So the deal is that you get a guaranteed bandwidth of 1/25th of the peak capacity that is in the contract. You are allowed to fill it to peak capacity, but there are no guarantees. Another Dutch telco aims for a 1/40 ratio for their consumer product. And you know the funny thing: typically this is enough. Yes, people typically use less than 2% of the niominal bandwidth. Compare this to the contract you signed up with. You still think your company would be in breach of contract if they only provide half the nominal bandwidth for a long time? Jochem ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Special thanks to the CF Community Suite Gold Sponsor - CFHosting.net http://www.cfhosting.net Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:135700 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
