TM UniFi Download Bandwidth Cap

Update: TM UniFi’s Monthly usage is capped on daily basis.

There have been various debates on Download Caps after the release of TM UniFi’s High Speed Broadband Plans. Many have argued that High Speed broadband is pointless if TM caps on one’s download capabilities.

TM UniFi’s lowest entry VIP5 of 5Mbps comes with 60GB maximum download bandwidth per month while its higher VIP10 comes with 90GB and highest VIP20 with 120GB. No download cap applies for the more expensive business/commercial packages.

TM reaction to complaints

With lots of people raging online about TM’s unfair practice and some users even calling for boycott against UniFi, TM immediately announced on their twitter the following:

NO volume cap 4 all #unifi packages 4 now.Decision due to public feedback.TMwill only monitor usage pattern 4 time being

Many people immediately rejoiced citing the voice of twitter have won over giant ISP. The fact of the matter is, this announcement is nothing new to us. It has been known that UniFi subscribers will not have their usage capped until at least June this year as mentioned in our previous post.

To further add on to TM’s official press announcement this afternoon, they also have stressed that it does still reserve the right to enforce a download limit to ensure all UniFi subscribers receive equal service quality. Besides, TM UniFi still maintains the limited monthly Download Usage on their price plans and there are no signs to imply that it is Unlimited Usage.

So come June or when their network starts to face congestion, TM can exercise their right to reduce customers speed in the name of Fair Usage Policy.

Internet Capping on other Broadbands

Internet Capping is certainly not new. 3G Broadbands have them averaging at 3GBs per month. Even P1 WiMAX caps their home packages to 20GB a month for its 1.2Mbps plan.

These ensure users get the best speed possible on their network until they use up their allocated bandwidth which is later prioritized down or throttled to slower speed. The best speed of course is subjected to network factors as well such as site congestion.

How does TM cap users?

According to TM, they will monitor the pattern of usage and have yet to finalise their FUP (Fair Usage Policy) techniques. We find this hard to believe as TM has been in the broadband industry for the longest time and they have been well known for throttling and shape Streamyx customers speed, particularly P2P.

Mind you that Streamyx is UNLIMITED but just take a look at the number of complaints of being throttled or speed capping. Assuming if TM decides to allow UniFi to be offered as Unlimited, TM’s High Speed Broadband would probably end up as another Streamyx service at a premium price.

Which would you rather have? Have more quality Internet speeds within the allocated download usage you paid for or pay for so called Unlimited package but with high possibility of having your speeds throttled for the sake of “all UniFi subscribers receive equal service quality”.

For those who are truly persistent of having Unlimited Downloads, perhaps these users should consider taking the BIZ5 package that has no download limit. We’re not too sure what are the registration requirements but since there’s a demand for high download usage, TM should consider coming out a heavy power user package for home users. However we doubt Malaysians are willing to pay the premium price.