I’m a sucker for reading fineprints and Kyam already warned me of this before I applied so I know of their Peer-to-Peer bandwidth cap which states:
Peer-to-Peer download speed is restricted to a maximum of 20% of the subscribed maximum speed regardless of type of plan. Should the subscriber use the Service beyond the allowable parameters as provided herein in violation of the Acceptable Use Policy, then INNOVE reserves the right to limit the Subscriber’s service. The download volume allowance is in accordance with the following schedule whether time-based or regular packages: 256kbps – 10 Gigabytes per month; 384 kbps – 15 Gigabytes per month; 512 kbps plan – 20 Gigabytes per month; 1.0 Mbps – 25 Gigabytes per month; 1.5 Mbps – 30 Gigabytes per mopnth 2.0 Mbps – 35 Gigabytes per month; 3.0 Mbps – 50 Gigabytes per month.
I initially expected that the most I can get from my 2 Mbps connection is 50 kB/s for P2P. I had a few problems setting port-forwarding up during my first week on Globelines until I just reset everything to default and was amazed that only then was I able to get around 1.6 Mbps (200 kB/s) max on uTorrent. I was pretty satisfied with my connection until three days ago when all I can get was around 44 kBps when torrenting. All direct downloads seemed okay. Speedtest shows that I’m still getting 1.6 Mbps on the average.
I’ve been strict in monitoring the things I download from P2P (torrents mostly). Since I’m on a 2.0 Mbps connection, I make sure that I only download around 32 GB of data. What I’m not sure of is when their “month” actually starts and stops. My billing statements cover from the first to the last day of the month so I’m just assuming that the cut-off period’s the same. Either way, I’m pretty sure that I have not exceeded 35 GB of downloads since I moderate my downloads on a weekly rate so as not to exceed the limit at any given 4-week span.
So why the crappy speeds?
I revisited the policy again since maybe they already pegged me as an AUP violator. 44 kB/s on the average is pretty close to the 20% speed cap they have on the policy. But why suddenly enforce that all of a sudden just now? If they really are.
What bothers me is that not everyone at Globelines even know that they have this particular policy. For one, the manager who entertained me at the Globelines business center wasn’t even aware of this provision in the service agreement. Calling Globelines CSR hotline wasn’t even much help either.
I tried calling them thrice to ask about this particular clause and the responses were pretty much the same.
1. That they’re just committed to deliver 60% of the subscribed speed.
2. They won’t cover P2P speeds since speeds are depended on the computers in the swarm (my own interpretation since the CSRs seem to not well-versed in torrenting).
3. They had to put me on hold to clarify about the clause above.
4. After conferring with their supervisor (why put me on hold if not for that?), they get back to me saying that they don’t monitor P2P download speeds and volume.
5. They don’t restrict P2P traffic.
Whoah! No P2P restrictions? Then why wasn’t I leaving my PC to feed off peer-shared Internet filth for the past months? And why the heck do they have that clause in the service agreement’s fineprint? But who needs unrestricted download volumes when all I can get is a lousy 44 kB/s download speed?
UPDATE: A Globelines on-site repair technician called me up regarding my issue. He told me that I’m not the only one who’s experiencing the torrent slowdown. He’ll be making a report to those responsible for network access to correct the problem. So what does this say of the Globelines service? Better request for on-site repair visit instead of talking at length with the CSRs? Maybe a good action point from here on out.
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Same problem here started a few days ago, now i am pretty sure i probably went over the 50 gig cap, truth is i wasn’t aware of the cap. Had problems with connection and speed pretty much the entire year until april when globelines replaced my prolink modem with a Aztech. Now that it’s fixed that allowed me to run up the download total.
I have the 3mb line and my downloads gave been capped at around 65 kbps for the past few days.
I have the 1mb line and my downloads have been capped at around 20 kbps since yesterday. The line is over 2 years old and this is the first time it has happened. If they start and continue to enforce a P2P download cap then I think its about time to try another ISP.
Hello,
I came to search for other globe subscribers having this problem, and my google search came up with this blog entry.
I’m also experiencing this problem within the past several days and up to now. I just called the globelines helpdesk to fix this problem.
Im on a 1mbps plan and I’m capped at a measly 20kbps on torrent downloading. This is very unusual.
The repairmen just went here today and checked for the lines, etc. They say that everything is working fine but then I showed them the speeds I’m getting on p2p applications. They have no clue about this problem, so I reported back and said the problem is not fixed. They told me that they escalated my case and there “head” technical person would be contacting me.
A lot of globe broadband subscribers at pinoydsl and tipidpc including my friends have reported capped bandwidth on their torrent applications. The bandwidth cap doesn’t seem to be an isolated case as the bandwidth cap also took effect in other parts of the country including regions outside NCR. It seems that globe is doing something with their system and decided to keep their mouths shut.
While the majority say that P2P is for downloading illegal stuff, on the contrary a lot of people also rely on bittorrent technology for large file distributions. What Globe is doing is stupid.
Hi guys! After talking to a Globelines CSR (which was totally useless) and finding this blog, I am convinced that Globe is capping our P2P downloads. I am thinking of jumping to another provider if I cannot convince anyone in their office here in Bacolod City to help me out. My download speeds have dropped from 56kBps to 10kBps! This is all very disappointing for Globe. I have been a very good customer for more than 3 years and this is what they do. This has been a wrong turn for Globe and they will loose a lot of subscribers for this course of action.
Hi guys. I think this issue has already been raised in the forums as well.
Yes, it seems like Globelines has finally placed a cap on our P2P traffic. Based on our speeds, it seems like they’re right on the money on the 20% cap.
But why are Globelines personnel not aware of this provision?
Too bad that I have almost no choice for another provider in our area and that I’m locked in for a year with Globelines. I hope they realize that they will start losing customers just because of this cap.
Never experienced that with PLDT and Bayantel (in our old home).
Thanks for your feedback, guys. Let’s all hope they resolve this fast.
Yeah, I’ve been experiencing a download cap with Steam. Which is just utter bull crap considering that I purchase all my games off Steam.
I tried it with torrents as well and got the same result. Would it be any use if I called up their hotline to ask how much GB I’ve used up? Because I haven’t even been downloading much starting this month. I really doubt I hit the 30gb limit.
:/
Hi AK. Whether Globelines is really capping our bandwidth or not remains a mystery. Word has it that they’ll be making an official announcement on Monday.
For a discussion among irate Globelines subscribers, you can check out this TipidPC thread:
http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=162031
cap is not the term it’s throtting
called the CRs, argue with them to no avial. they claimed the’re not doing it. but when you clearly see thats there’s a problem.
i advice him to talk to one of the higher ups about the problem so he can really tell the custormer what is happenning
Hi Floyd.
By cap I refer to the maximum allowable volume for downloads. I initially thought that the throttling was the “penalty” as a result of exceeding the cap. But yes, apparently, they’ve imposed throttling on speeds as well.
You can check out the TipidPC forums on a more up-to-date development and discussion on this issue.
Quite a lot of us are getting irate regarding this issue.
I am also hit with their p2p cap. I am waiting next week for the official word from globelies to see if they are really capping torrent downloads. If they are then consider me as their ex customer. I will begin hunting for another ISP very soon.
they are definitely limiting torrent download speeds…I used to have 120kBps before, now its only 23-24kBps… it sucks! because i mainly download torrents… is there anything we can do to have them remove the limit
What the hell is wrong with Globelines. My torrent downloads from p2p significantly reduced by 80%. I’ve been relying on p2p most of the time. This has never happened before, why all of a sudden without any notice…I’ve never been made aware of such crap p2p throttling/capping policy, if there is any. It wasn’t stated on their terms of service when I applied. I’m still on a lock-in period but I’ll surely switch to a better ISP if this throttling goes on. The lock-in agreement must be void if Globelines violate the terms in the service agreement.
http://www.petitiononline.com/globecap/petition.html
can you give me a link on tipid pc where they are discussing this matter?
i’d like to give globe a week or two before looking for another ISP, hopfully they won’t do this stupid thing that globe is doing
woops nalagay na pala yung link sorry..
ang problema nman sa in as di nman katulad ng speed sa ibang bansa na umaabot ng 15mbps eh saten 2mbps na ata pinaka mabiles na afordable tas lilimitahan pa!?
Globe technician game here yesterday… had no frigging idea what P2P is…
Called up Tech Support today requesting a supervisor to confirm the capping. Advised to wait for callback within 24hours (which I know will not happen).
I just need a recorded confirmation that they are indeed capping and I’ll be jumping ships.
Check your speeds now. I think it’s coming back to normal…
It’s still slow here in Cebu. Hope everything goes back to normal as soon as possible.
hi, i live in Tacloban and starting May 14 my p2p speed was capped at 10 kbps (for my 384 kbps connection)
but just now i was startled to see that i finally got back to 50 kbps downloading speed (my usual dl speed before the caping)
is this to last? or has my another month of 15 GB of download volume allowance started again?
i think its back to normal now. my p2p download speed is back to 100+ kBps @ 1Mbps plan.
i hope it lasts. i’ve got many things to download via torrent, torrent is way better than other p2p services.
if globe still caps the p2p network speed, i’m gonna shift to other providers here in my area.
Same here, normal speeds started a few hours ago.
http://www.globelines.com.ph/policy.php?id=11
Part of the whole policy stated the following:
Permitted Services
There are internet “servers†or “services†that are considered inappropriate to be hosted on Budget Grade and Fixed Wireless/Mobile Broadband services of INNOVE, namely:
-Anything that may be defined as a “serverâ€; examples are as follows:
-Web Server (Port 80)
-Mail Server (Port 25, 110, 143)
-Game Servers (Various Ports)
-Any FTP Server (20, 21)
-DNS Servers (53)
-P2P Server (Various Ports)
-IRC (or other Chat) servers (Various Ports)
-Services specifically exempt are:
-Non-Business VPN
-Remote Control (i.e. Remote Administrator, PC Anywhere, Terminal Services, Laplink, VNC, etc.)
-On the Fixed Wireless/Mobile Broadband , no P2P or Anonymous services, although SMTP, FTP and alike are allowed
INNOVE reserves the right to block these or any other like services from operating on INNOVE’S network by utilizing access-lists, firewall, filtering or other bandwidth control technologies to limit the amount of bandwidth available to services that are not permitted.
Open Relay Mail Servers
INNOVE define an “Open Relay†mail server as an SMTP mail server that allows third-parties to send emails to other third-parties. Third-parties are those people/services that are not authorized to use an end-customers mail server.
One use of an Open Relay server is that they are used to send spam/viruses to many people (perhaps hundreds of thousands). Open Relay servers cause significant stress on INNOVE’S network and are not allowed under any circumstances.
uhmMm.. ok na po b ang globelines plan ko po kasi mag apply sa globe for internet connection.. and ano po yung pinag uusapan nyong cap ano po yun parang download limit is 40G per month?.. and pano po sa pag stream anng video wala po bung buff tuloy tuloy po b ? thank you po sa future response.. im just 16 po so i dont know kung maganda po conenction or not wala po ako gaano alam
Hi JD,
The quality of Globelines’ connections vary from place to place.
I’m running on a 2MBPS connection and no problems with streaming or downloads.
So far, after this debacle, Globelines isn’t known to be capping or throttling p2p traffic.
affected po ba ang FTP nito? naka 2mb plan po ako pero less than 30kbps ang dowload ko, mas mataas pa nga ang upload ko kasi 60kbps.
Hi, alimokoi.
FTP shouldn’t be affected. Try calling their support.
Ever since they resolved this “throttling” issue, I haven’t had any problems with Globelines.