Fair Access Policy (FAP)

The reason for a Fair Access Policy (FAP) is that more and more computer users are anxious for speed in their browsing, downloading and uploading. Many of these users are within large urban areas or suburbs that are close to these same urban areas. When they decide to upgrade to Broadband to utilize the speed that comes with it they have several choices. The main choices for these users are DSL, usually through a large telephone corporation or CABLE through a Cable TV provider.

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That leaves every one else that lives in rural areas or very small cities that do not provide the usual broadband services listed in the previous paragraph. More and more of these users are opting for Satellite Internet. In general, satellite Internet is slower than DSL or CABLE, it is more expensive to install and the monthly charges tend to be higher. Remember however, that these folks have been using dial-up for their internet connection and they rarely connect at 56k due to older equipment and noisy lines. In my case they are receiving an average of 28.8k. The change from that to satellite Internet is Nirvana!

Once you have your equipment installed and paid for your service you are good to go. And then…you are faced with a new term in the contract you sign, this is called the FAIR ACCESS POLICY. It is exactly what it says it is, fair access for all users. DSL and Cable have almost limitless bandwidth for internet service, but satellite Internet has bandwidth constraints. There is just so much bandwidth available on a given satellite and you need to structure it so that everyone has a fair opportunity to get the benefits of broadband service. Studies have been done that show that a small number of users account for a disproportionate share of data usage. In order to ensure that all customers have access to the network satellite Internet providers have instituted the Fair Access Policy, or what is referred to as the FAP.

The two large providers of satellite Internet are DirecWay, now HughesNet and WildBlue. They each have a Fair Access Policy and each one is different. First let's explore the policy in use for HughesNet. They use a system based on a "download threshold". For instance, the number they use for a continuous download threshold is 169MB over a 1 to 4 hour period. So if you are downloading a 300MB file you are going to go over your limit and you will be "FAPPED". Being Fapped means your speed will be throttled down to what a basic dial-up speed would be. Once you have used up that 169MB allotment you must wait until that amount of usage is recovered. At approximately 47kbps this would take about 8 hours. At that point your speed will return to your normal satellite Internet speed.

WildBlue uses a somewhat different method. They "give" the customer a specific number of Gigabytes that can be downloaded and uploaded in any given rolling 30 day period. As an example, the Pro-pak user is given a 17Gig, or 17,000MB download limit and a 5Gig, or 5,000MB upload limit. If the customer exceeds that limit they will be fapped. They will be throttled down to much slower speeds until they reach 80% of their rolling 30 day limit. A rolling 30 day limit differs from a 30 day limit by continuously rolling a day forward as the next day begins. A monthly limit was used for several months however some users would see that they had perhaps 8Gig of download bandwidth that they had not used on the 29 th day. At that time these users would download everything and anything in order to "get their moneys worth" and use all of their allotted bandwidth. This created overuse of the system and causing slowdowns near the end of each month. By using a rolling Fap, if you use a large chunk of your bandwidth on a given day and go over the limit set by your plan, you would have to wait until that day rolled out of the rolling 30 days. This has effectively stopped this type of use.

Hopefully this gives you some useful information regarding the FAP. Be considerate, use the bandwidth that you need and allow other rural users to enjoy fast Internet access.

WildBlue's Fair Access Policy

At WildBlue, our goal is to give each of our customers the fastest service possible at the lowest possible price. We are always striving to develop programs and policies that help make that possible. Our Fair Access Policy is designed to impact the fewest customers while helping ensure the best speeds for the vast majority of our customers.

WildBlue estimates that a small percent of customers account for a disproportionate share of data usage on the WildBlue network. To ensure that all WildBlue customers have equitable access to the WildBlue network, WildBlue has implemented a Fair Access Policy (or “FAP”). WildBlue sets usage thresholds on the amount of data you can upload and download within stated time periods. If you exceed these thresholds, WildBlue will temporarily limit the speed at which you can send and receive data over the WildBlue access network. You will still be able to use the WildBlue Internet access service but your speed will be slower. In cases of extreme and continued violation of the FAP limitations, your service may be suspended. WildBlue may use other traffic management and prioritization tools to help ensure equitable access to the WildBlue network for all customers. Your WildBlue Internet access is not guaranteed and is subject to this FAP.

Based on an analysis of typical customers, we have set a rolling 30-day limit on data usage per customer, called a Usage Threshold. As shown in the table below, this threshold varies based on the service plan you selected. For each service plan, the Usage Thresholds are significantly above the amount of data that is used by a typical customer. Every day, we measure your upload and download data usage (“Actual Usage”) to determine if your total Actual Usage, as aggregated over the previous 30 days (“Usage Total”), exceeds the Usage Threshold for the service plan that you selected. At any time, you can see your Usage Total versus your monthly Usage Threshold under the Customer Care section at wildblue.net.

We will notify you via your WildBlue contact email address if your Usage Total reaches 80% or more of the Usage Threshold. If at any time your Usage Total is above the Usage Threshold, we will reduce your WildBlue access speeds, typically to 128 kbps in the downstream (from the Internet to you) and 28 kbps in the upstream (from you to the Internet) until your Usage Total is 80% or less than the Usage Threshold. Once your Usage Total reaches this level, your access speeds will be restored to the original speed levels by the next day.

You are likely to avoid any limitations imposed by the FAP if your use is typical of the majority of Internet users and consists primarily of Web surfing and a reasonable amount of downloading. The table below shows the monthly Usage Thresholds for each plan. These limits specify the amount of data that you can upload and download before your access speed is reduced. Please note that your Usage Total is far more likely to exceed the Usage Thresholds below if you use peer-to-peer file sharing programs, you use a webcam or you download full length movies, large quantities of music files, full software applications or similar high-bandwidth activities.

These terms and conditions state important requirements regarding your use of WildBlue’s Satellite Speed Internet service and your relationship with WildBlue. You should read them carefully as they contain important information regarding your rights and ours. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, you many not use the service and, subject to the terms of your Customer Agreement, you must terminate your service immediately.

WildBlue may revise this Fair Access Policy from time to time without notice by posting a new version of this document. All revised copies of the Policy are effective immediately upon posting. Accordingly, customers and users of WildBlue’s Satellite Speed Internet service should regularly visit these web sites. Questions regarding this FAP and complaints of violations of it by WildBlue customers and users can be directed to WildBlue via “Help” email obtainable at wildblue.net.

Last Updated: 01/06/06

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