AT&T Says They're Working On Meter Accuracy Insists They'll Work With Users On Problems Earlier this week we noted that AT&T's usage meters for their upcoming metered billing push aren't accurate when compared to user firewall or router logs. That's been par for the course with a lot of efforts to bill by the byte particularly in Canada -- where companies like Cogeco and Bell have had significant trouble tracking usage accurately. AT&T has responded to our request for comment on the meter issue, and the company tells us they're working to improve meter accuracy before the system goes live in May -- and will work with anybody who is having problems.

"We're happy to work one-on-one with any of your readers to walk through the measurement tool and address any questions," AT&T spokesman Seth Bloom tells Broadband Reports. "We're already addressing ways we can make the labels and information on the online tool more clear for customers between now and May...I can also assure you our team is performing checks everyday to ensure accuracy." As we noted earlier in the week, AT&T's decision to measure from the DSLAM could be increasing usage estimates because that would include ATM and PPPoE overhead. AT&T didn't offer us a comment on that. The company did suggest the volume of time measured by some tools could be to blame. "Other tools may measure at different 24-hour periods than we do, and most likely do not take into account the standard network protocols (e.g. Ethernet, IP) that are used to provide applications and content to our customers via the Internet," says Bloom. "As you know, this is fairly standard to incorporate when measuring broadband traffic and is applied by other ISPs who measure usage." Looking at router logs submitted to us, we're fairly sure this isn't the problem most are seeing. As we move close to AT&T's cap and overage launch in May, we're nobody (aside from yourself) working to ensure they are metering you honestly. As we move close to AT&T's cap and overage launch in May, we're interested in hearing from users as to whether or not their meters are reflecting usage accurately, and if not -- how responsive AT&T is to your concerns. Again, keep in mind that as ISPs push for meters on your broadband spigot, there is absolutely(aside from yourself) working to ensure they are metering you honestly.







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Most recommended from 101 comments

tim92078

join:2010-07-15

San Marcos, CA 2 recommendations tim92078 Member Relevant state department of weights and measures... Time for a letter writing campaign to your state Attorney General. Their bandwidth meter should be held to the same standard as a gas pump or a delicatessen scale. They should have to prove the accuracy satisfactorily to every jurisdiction in which they propose ripping people off with usage-based-billing.



It will either delay the introduction of usage-based-billing or hopefully make it so expensive to implement that they back off.