Ah! So that is where my data goes to

[Pippen]

It is a universal truth that where I lives has the most expensive telecommunications in the developed (and most of the undeveloped) world and the provider I am with is certainly not the cheapest available but it is a trade off between quality, service and price.

I had a young couple move in with me and when they came to look at the house one of the things discussed was that broadband was included and what the data cap was that it was way more than I could ever use and they agreed it would be probably more than they would use either. As it turns out this is not the case as the wife mentioned to me her husband is up all night streaming hours (7 hours the previous night alone) of football games in something like HD but from the way he explained it, it is super HD and sounds like a big scary data eating monster. So that explains where all the data is going to.

On my plan when the broadband data hits its cap it reverts to dial up speed but it doesn't cost any extra so the bill is capped each month. This doesn't bother me as for how I use the internet doesn't involve anything too wizzy. If it is slow it's slow and so be it. I just wait for the next billing cycle and  it is back to full speed.

The husband has come to me to see if I could upgrade the plan to one with a higher cap and says they will pay the difference. I said I would look into it but I have a few issues with doing this. One being that it will extend my fixed term contract for a further 12 months from the upgrade data and there will be a penalty for changing it back to the lower cap. The second being when they moved in they new what the cap was and agreed it would be enough. Third this football thing will only last for the season so it is just a temporary arrangement. Fourth. Who on earth needs to watch 7 hours of football each night?!!!!!!!

I get they impression the wife is non too happy with this nightly football extravaganza so if I did increase the data cap it would just encourage him on this behaviour, but that is her issue to deal with not mine.

Am I being inflexible or mean in saying I thought about it but I can't see a benefit in it and you will just have to learn to make do as I feel it is sufficient and you were aware of the limit when you moved in.

[jedikaiti]

I think you're totally in the clear to politely refuse to upgrade. I would explain to him that you looked into it, but you're afraid it just won't be possible. If need be (I wouldn't do so up front), you can outline the fact that it locks you into a contract for an additional year (will he pay to buy you out of the contract at your current ending date? If he did, would that be acceptable to you?*), and that there would be a penalty when you revert back to the regular plan (would he pay that penalty as well?*).

*These are provided as food for thought for you. Be prepared for him to offer to cover these expenses, whether his wife is on board or not - perhaps require her to sign off on the added expenses as well, and provide them with a tally of how much this will likely cost him by the end of football season (but with the disclaimer that it may not be all-inclusive, and that if there are any unforeseen expenses related to a temporary upgrading of service, they would be responsible for those as well.

[Chickadee]

No, you are not being inflexible or mean. You are living within the budget you have set for your home. If the DH of your roomie couple wants that much more internet access, then he can wait until he can afford his very own home.

Plus, if he decided he didn't have the extra money to pay for the difference in the bill, you would ultimately be responsible for paying it. He doesn't get to change the rules.

[Queen of Clubs]

Can they get their own broadband so they don't need to use yours at all?  If so, I'll tell the husband that and recommend he gets his own so that he can use as much as he wants and the bill is all his.

You're not being inflexible at all.  Why should you extend your contract/up the cap when you're happy with what broadband there is?  If he can't get his own broadband, I'd just tell him that no, you don't want to change it.

[Cleargleam]

You are not getting the benefit of the service, even if you do increase the data cap.  I would definitely not increase the cap, and have a talk with the tenants about how their usage exceeds their promises.

[NyaChan]

I would say no and even if you don't use the internet too much, think about letting him know that it is unacceptable for him to be using up all the data this way.  They signed on to live there with the understanding that they would keep within a reasonable amount of data use and now are far exceeding that.  I would inform him that you will not move to a bigger plan and also that he needs to adjust his usage so that you get the benefit of the one you already have in place.

[Pippen]

Oh and another reason I am hesitant to do so is I am worried about people illegally downloading movies etc. With a lower data cap this doesn't give people carte blanche to do as they like. I can't stop it and they have been warned they are not allowed to in any case or I will have their guts for garters. They already have the lions share of the current data as it is. It just seems totally unnecessary to me to be watching that much football, but on the other hand that seems like I am imposing my views on him and limiting access to something he enjoys.

I guess it comes down to I just can't see the point. It works fine for me even if it is slow and I don't really care. I could propose they put the account in their names and then they can ramp it up to whatever limit they want and I pay a share of what I use to them but that would see them paying way more than what they are currently proposing.

[NyaChan]

It doesn't matter whether he is using that much data for work, for football, or watching videos of grass growing - they knew ahead of time what they were signing up for and are now breaking the boundaries they already agreed to.  Focus on that - you laid it all out for them, they are the ones who are overstepping by hogging all of the available data.  In fact, even if he hadn't approached you about increasing the amount, I would have suggested you approach them and inform them that they needed to curb their use.

[hobish]

Oh and another reason I am hesitant to do so is I am worried about people illegally downloading movies etc. With a lower data cap this doesn't give people carte blanche to do as they like. I can't stop it and they have been warned they are not allowed to in any case or I will have their guts for garters. They already have the lions share of the current data as it is. It just seems totally unnecessary to me to be watching that much football, but on the other hand that seems like I am imposing my views on him and limiting access to something he enjoys.

I guess it comes down to I just can't see the point. It works fine for me even if it is slow and I don't really care. I could propose they put the account in their names and then they can ramp it up to whatever limit they want and I pay a share of what I use to them but that would see them paying way more than what they are currently proposing.

It is really not your business how much football another adult needs to watch. It is 100% your business to say no, you are happy with the service as it is; but repeating, besides how much "X" do you need to watch sounds like you are trying to monitor him and that is just not any of your concern, nor is it your business whther the wife is happy about it, or if you are "encouraging" him. You are their landlord, not their mother.

[Cleargleam]

Oh and another reason I am hesitant to do so is I am worried about people illegally downloading movies etc.

I agree with Hobish about "how they use the data" not being any of your business - and where does the "illegal movies" concern come from? That seems like a bit of a leap and a bit of an "interesting assumption".

[VorFemme]

Let them know that their rent covers broadband use within your data limit.

If they are going to exceed the data limit, then perhaps they need their OWN account - and it will be in their name & if they move before the contract expires, they will be the ones paying for relocation or ending the contract early.  But their usage exceeding the current provider's cap is not your problem, as they knew what the cap was before they moved in.  It is THEIR (read that as "HIS") issue since the usage has gone up so much - even if it is only for the football season.

Why does he have to have super high definition, anyway?  Wouldn't seven hours at regular definition drop the amount of use to a more manageable level?  Sheesh - I have a teacher, a college student/gamer, and me on a medium priced plan and we don't exceed our cap! 

That super high def must be swallowing the broadband data cap like a black hole eats all light & energy in the surrounding volume of space.

[LazyDaisy]

I'm assuming it isn't possible for him to get his own data plan. I think you can decline to upgrade for all of the reasons you listed.

Why is he streaming these games instead of watching them on TV? Maybe suggest that he can upgrade the cable/dish for his own TV instead and TIVO/DVR the games to watch when he wants. Then he isn't eating up all of the house data.

As an aside, a single football game can last more than 3 hours so if he's watching 7 hours, it's only about 2 games total. As an avid American football fan, that describes my Sunday's during the season, although I'm also getting up and doing things around the house during commercials or slow periods in the game, or watching the game at a sports bar/restaurant. So for myself, 7 hours of watching football doesn't sound extreme to me, but I wouldn't eat up limited broadband data by streaming it since 3-4 games are available on network TV stations every Sunday.

[Bluenomi]

Oh and another reason I am hesitant to do so is I am worried about people illegally downloading movies etc.

I agree with Hobish about "how they use the data" not being any of your business - and where does the "illegal movies" concern come from? That seems like a bit of a leap and a bit of an "interesting assumption".

The concern about illegal movies is a) the football he downloaded could be illegal depending on where he is and where he got it from and b) as the account is in the OP's name, she is the one who would get the fines/jail time if anyone decided to press charges.

OP, I'd tell them to either get their own connection or they have to deal with what you are providing them

[Pippen]

Oh and another reason I am hesitant to do so is I am worried about people illegally downloading movies etc.

I agree with Hobish about "how they use the data" not being any of your business - and where does the "illegal movies" concern come from? That seems like a bit of a leap and a bit of an "interesting assumption".

The concern about illegal movies is a) the football he downloaded could be illegal depending on where he is and where he got it from and b) as the account is in the OP's name, she is the one who would get the fines/jail time if anyone decided to press charges.

OP, I'd tell them to either get their own connection or they have to deal with what you are providing them

I have had issues in the past with others. Many many years ago a flatmate used my work laptop and remote access to download gay porn. Nice. Thanks for that.

A friends teenage son I had staying with me hacked our neighbours wifi and was downloading movies. He told me thinking I would say how clever he was. More like he was to stop it immediately and go and apologise to them.

And when I just used a t stick visitors from overseas found a wifi spot in town they would go and download heaps of movies and TV shows from. As in more than you could possibly hope to watch. I have no doubt in my mind they would have done it on my account given the chance. People just don't think.

Here in NZ they passed a law where if you download copyrighted material you get your connection cut and prosecuted and whacking great fine. They have the first set or prosecutions going through the courts right now. There are lots of shows that are blocked due to copyright. I have no idea if this football is or not. It it the UK and European matches and I have no idea what the screening rights are on them. He may be getting them from a subscription service he pays for and therefore it is legit.

In my mind huge data usage equals downloading content like movies or streaming subscription services. Both of which put me squarely in the firing line if it is done illegally.

[kherbert05]

This is coming from someone that has been averaging 104.86 a month in 2012 (That includes Summer Vacation). He is using way more than his share. IMO he should be paying the lion's share of the cost. I would hit the roof is someone hit my data cap. It is currently suspended because comcast is doing a study. But previously if I hit 250, I got cut off for the month. I hit it twice in a calendar year I lost my access. So I check it every day and keep track.


Also are sports easily legal to watch where you are? Here you have to pay extra or it is part of your cable package to be able and watch them. I would make sure that he is watching the football legally.