Data caps, therefore, are a very crude and unfair tool when it comes to targeting potentially disruptive users. The correlation between real-time bandwidth usage and data downloaded over time is weak and the net cast by data caps captures users that cannot possibly be responsible for congestion. Furthermore, many users who are “as guilty” as the ones who are over cap (again, if there is such a thing as a disruptive user) are not captured by that same net.

In conclusion, we state that policies honestly implemented to reduce bandwidth usage during peak hours should be based on better understanding of real usage patterns and should only consider customers??? behavior during these hours; their behavior when the link isn???t loaded cannot possibly impact other users??? experience or increase aggregation costs. Furthermore, data caps as currently implemented may act as deterrents for all users at all times, but can also spur customers to look for fairer offerings in competitive markets.

Setting aside the questionable desirability of punishing any customer, these facts seem to suggest it’s much more about faux scarcity and margin than any of the transparent excuses and demonisation of some customers.