What is using up all of my bandwidth and data cap?

In order to give all of our wireless users a consistent internet experience, there is a limit on the amount of data included for free with our Air Fiber service.

At face value these limits can seem restrictive, but what do these numbers really mean?

Below is a great video explaining the relative data sizes of items accessed on the internet.

It may help to give you a good idea of where all that data usage is going.

If you are unable to see the video, please see the other formats available from the original website.

Here are some common sources of excessive usage on your connection:

1. 1. Unsecured WiFi Network
      • Is your wireless network secured with WPA (not WEP) and a strong password?
      • If not, anyone nearby may be using your connection.

1. HD quality streaming
   • Video – Are any devices attached to your network (including TVs, Xbox, Roku Boxes, tablets…) streaming videos from sites like Netflix,Hulu or YouTube at HD quality?From the Netflix website there are 3 settings to choose from:
     • Low quality (uses up to 0.3 GB per hour)
     • Medium quality (uses up to 0.7 GB per hour)
     • Best quality (uses up to 3 GB per hour for HD, or up to 7 GB per hour for Ultra HD)
   • Audio – Are any devices on your network (including TVs, XBox, iPads, smartphones…) streaming audio from Pandora, Grooveshark, LastFM or similar sites at High Quality?
     According to Pandora, data usage for their streaming service can range from 64kbps (28.8 MB per hour) to 192kbps (86.4 MB per hour).
2. Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
   • Are any of the devices on your network (including smart phones and tablets attached to your wireless network) using a Peer To Peer file sharing program to download or upload movies or music?
   • This is often also referred to as “Torrenting.” Some common P2P programs are uTorrent, Azureus or Vuze, Limewire, and Deluge.
3. Online Backup
   • • Do you have an online backup program such as Carbonite or Norton Online Backup?
     • These programs can use 2 GB and up and may use this amount every time the backup program runs.
4. Online security and video monitoring
   • This includes video monitoring that is accessible from offsite or offsite video monitoring you are accessing through your wireless.

If you have any questions about your data usage please call our office at 530-674-4200 and a member of our staff will be happy to discuss your usage with you.