Fair usage policy
- What is the fair usage policy?
- Why do we have a fair usage policy?
- Why did you introduce this policy now?
- Will the fair usage policy affect me?
- What are the current limits?
- Why have you introduced ResNet Standard & ResNet Max?
- Will you change the policy again?
- How much is a GB?
- What happens if I use too much?
- Why connection seems broken now - how do I fix it?
- What should I do differently the following week to stop it happening again?
- Why is my computer uploading a large amount of data?
- Which traffic is counted?
- How can I measure my bandwidth usage?
- Can I use more bandwidth than usual as a one off?
- Can I pay more and get more bandwidth?
- Does it matter what time of day I use bandwidth?
- I have some more questions. Who do I ask?
What is the fair usage policy?
The fair usage policy specifies how much bandwidth (network capacity) any one person on ResNet can use per week.
Why do we have a fair usage policy?
We are trying to provide the best service we can for all ResNet subscribers. ResNet is a shared network, and we need sensible rules in place to make sure it works well for everyone.
Like all Internet providers, ResNet has only a limited pipe to the Internet available. We are lucky - as part of the University of Bristol we are on the high-speed JANET network that links UK universities to the Internet. Still, this isn't enough for all the potential demands - network traffic tends to expand to fill the pipe.
This pipe is shared between everyone on ResNet. A small number of people on ResNet are responsible for using most of the capacity. Before we introduced the fair usage policy, usage on ResNet looked like this:
- 10% of users produce 55% of traffic
- 20% of users produce 73% of traffic
- 30% of users produce 84% of traffic
- 40% of users produce 90% of traffic
- 50% of users produce 94% of traffic
We didn't think it fair that 8% of people on ResNet consume as much as the other 92% of people put together.
By reducing the bandwidth used by this small number of people we can improve the service for all. When the pipe is full the connection gets worse. People using real time applications such as telephony, webcams and games notice this most as they will get occasional dropouts or delays.
Reducing our total traffic a bit by limiting the heaviest users delivers a smoother and faster ResNet connection for everyone.
Why did you introduce it?
There has always been provision in the ResNet regulations so that anyone who generates excessive network traffic and continues to do so after a warning to reduce it is breaking the regulations. We have applied this occasionally in the past, to individual people or groups of people, where particularly high usage has been obvious.
The fair usage policy defines much more clearly what level of traffic is considered excessive and is applied on the same basis each week. This way people will know what to expect and we can be sure we are treating everyone the same way.
The fair usage policy was first adopted in November 2006. It has been modified substantially since then in response to feedback.
Will the fair usage policy affect me?
At most the fair usage policy will affect less than 10% of people on ResNet (probably less than 5%).
It is most likely to affect you if you use:
- peer to peer (p2p) filesharing software (eg BitTorrent)
- UseNet binaries
- Large amounts of video on demand services such as BBC iPlayer, especially if watching in high definition.
These are the applications which generate the most traffic. Remember if you have p2p software it is generating traffic in the background all the time. Even if you aren't personally downloading a file, other people will be uploading files from you.
If you have a typical usage pattern such as email, web surfing, Skype, and a small amount of iPlayer then you won't be affected.
What are the current limits?
See ResNet packages for the current limits.
Why do you have ResNet Standard & ResNet Max?
Before we introduced ResNet Max some heavy users requested a way to pay extra and get a higher usage limit. In our annual survey 20% of subscribers indicated that they wanted a ResNet Max service. As the heaviest users put greater demands on the network (and costs us more in network upgrades) it seems only fair that they should pay something extra for that. This helps keep the basic ResNet subscription cost as low as possible for other users.
Will you change the policy again?
Yes, if we need to. The actual allowance may also change over time (up or down). We always try to make it as generous as we can while still avoiding congestion on the network.
All changes are notified on the ResNet blog, and major changes by email too.
How much is a GB?
Roughly one gigabyte is about 300 songs in MP3 format, or a two hour movie.
To be exact, 1GB is 1024 x 1024 x 1024 = 1,073,741,824 Bytes. Many Internet providers calculate 1GB as 1000 x 1000 x 1000 = 1,000,000,000 Bytes. We are calculating usage on the technically correct value of 1,073,741,824 Bytes in a GB (as this is more generous to ResNet subscribers).
What happens if I use too much?
Once you go over the weekly limit, for the rest of that week you will be moved into a different segment of the network shared with other people who have also gone over the limit. You will find that your connection speed is much lower. You should still be able to access almost all Internet and internal University services (Freewire TV won't operate from the restricted network for technical reasons).
You can be moved over at any time but we will send an email to tell you this.
You can activate a 'Second Chance' via MyResNet which will move you back into the normal network immediately - but you only get one second chance per year. Otherwise if you stay in the restricted network then at the end of the week (eg early on Monday morning) you'll be automatically moved back to the normal network again.
My connection seems broken now - how do I fix it?
Your connection should still work in the restricted network. If it seems to have stopped completely please contact the Help Desk and we can assist.
What should I do differently the following week to stop it happening again?
Reduce your bandwidth usage (uploads and downloads) the next week.
Both upload and download traffic count towards your personal usage. For most people, it is easiest to reduce your upload traffic. If you have any form of peer to peer (p2p) filesharing program (eg BitTorrent, DC++, EMule) on your computer, or p2p TV then your upload traffic (traffic people elsewhere on the Internet get from you) could be extremely high and you might not even realise it.
To reduce your upload usage you can
- fully exit p2p applications when you've finished using them (don't leave them running in the background or the system tray with other people uploading from you if you aren't downloading),
- set a low limit for your maximum upload speed in your p2p program,
- uninstall p2p programs from your computer completely using Add/Remove programs
Why is my computer uploading a large amount of data?
In contrast to many broadband Internet service providers, ResNet has a very high upload capacity. If your MyResNet usage graph is mostly red in colour then you are uploading a disproportionate amount of data.
Upload traffic is usually caused by p2p applications that have not had an upload limit set. By default, p2p application will use as much upload as possible. Check your p2p application’s documentation to see how to set an upload limit or simply uninstall the application.
Which traffic is counted?
Both upload and download traffic is counted. If you are doing p2p then you are probably still uploading even when your download has finished.
Both wired and wireless traffic is counted (for people in residences with ResNet Wireless).
Traffic between ResNet users and the rest of the University or the Internet is counted (including our web caches and departmental servers).
How can I measure my bandwidth usage?
My ResNet will display your own personal usage. You can get a ResNet widget for your OS X dashboard or Windows sidebar that shows your usage. You can also install software that measures your bandwidth usage in real time.
Can I use more bandwidth than usual as a one off?
You can do this once per year. If you go over the limit you can log in to My ResNet and choose to get a one-off extra allowance of usage. This is designed to give people a second chance if they accidentally go over the allowance the first time. You can only do this once per academic year.
Can I pay more and get more bandwidth?
We have introduced ResNet Max which offers a higher weekly limit for a higher termly or yearly subscription fee. You can upgrade to Max at any time using My ResNet.
It is also possible to purchase a top-up of either 5, 15 or 30GB for a small fee, again see My ResNet for details.
Does it matter what time of day I use bandwidth?
No, all times of the day are metered. See current limits for details. It is better to schedule large downloads between midnight and 10am as this is the least busy time of day.
I have some more questions. Who do I ask?
Please contact ResNet.