Definition
"A bandwidth cap limits the transfer of a specified amount of data over a period of time. Internet service providers commonly apply a cap when a channel intended to be shared by many users becomes overloaded, or may be overloaded, by a few users. Implementation of a bandwidth cap is sometimes termed a Fair Access Policy or Usage-based billing." ~Wikipedia
Factors
- more users & devices, esp. mobile
- more data, esp. streaming video and cloud storage
Articles
(transoceanic) Fiber Capacity Maxing Out?- As Mobile Networks Speed Up, Data Hits a Wall
- Internet Keeps Growing! Traffic up 62% in 2010
- AT&T Begins Sending Throttling Warnings to Top Data Hogs
- Verizon Started Throttling Its Top 5% Data Hogs, Doesn’t Affect 4G LTE Or Tiered Data Customers
- The Data Buffet Is Open (Sprint's Unlimited Data Plan)
- Sprint Capping Phone as a Modem to 5GB Starting October 2nd
- Will Netflix Destroy the Internet?
- Excited About the Cloud? Get Ready for Capped Data Plans
- Is Pay-Per-Use for Broadband Inevitable?
- It could be worse: data caps around the world
For more info: Network Access: Capacity
[updated: 04-Oct-2011] [.pdf]