Dear Shaw Internet Customer
In order to provide all Shaw Internet customers with an optimal Internet experience we proactively assess our network. Through our analysis we have noticed that the level of activity on your Internet account has achieved more then the stated limits within our Acceptable Use Policy. To review our policy please go to:
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/AboutShaw/TermsofUse/AcceptableUsePolicyInternet.htm#
We would like to help identify the cause(s) of the heavy traffic that may be affecting your computer's performance and most importantly your Internet experience. Often a file-sharing program can be the cause of high amounts of traffic. Not only will this affect the flow of traffic on the Internet it also puts a major strain on your computer's resources.
For more information about how large quantities of Internet traffic can adversely affect your online experience please click here:
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/CustomerCare/InternetSupport/Residential/Sharing/
As an added service to our customers we have recently included a web link on our Online Customer Care site that allows Shaw Internet users to view their bandwidth usage in the form of monthly and daily summaries.
You must first register on the Online Customer Care site before you will be able to view your bandwidth usage. If you have not previously registered you may do so at:
During the registration process you will be asked to enter your Shaw account number and postal code as well as some additional information that is displayed on your bill. You will then be asked for a username and a password which will be used each time you sign in.
Once logged into Online Customer Care you can view your bandwidth usage statistics by clicking on the "Your Modem Usage" link under the "My Shaw Internet Services" heading. If you need assistance please click here to find your local Shaw telephone number:
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/CustomerCare/ContactUs
PLEASE NOTE:
We ask that the account holder reply indicating they have read this e-mail and inform us that they will address this issue.
Now considering a person's computer could be infected heavily with spyware/malware issues, there is a good chance, as they mentioned, that an IRC and/or other type of 'always on' connection could be in use. In my case, when I came home from being away 10 days, in which time I took a lot of pictures.. to the tune of about 3 gb which doesn't say much for a 7.1 megapixel camera at the highest resolution.. so I was uploading them to my Flickr account as I do have a pro account there is essentially no limit however I did get a notice of a 2gb (per day) limit which crapped out about half way through my upload using the Flickr uploader, but I digress.. this posting was all about the internet provider offering me faster speeds yet at what cost? Knowing I am going to get a letter stating I am using too much? What about the 10 days I was not using it at all? So I go to log in and check my modem useage which promptly kicks me back to the account page.. on three different browsers and different computer so I'm not sure what's with that.. all I know is my bill is paid in full and I will not change my 'internet habbits' because the internet provider doesn't like the way I use it. This is the sort of thing that gets prompt letters to the CRTC and your MLA.
I know it doesn't say directly that they would cut you off, but by sending you links to their legal pages pretty much spells it out for you, yet fair-use is what exactly? The fact that I download a lot of podcasts, watch youtube clips and upload to my various websites including my Flickr account, what is one supposed to do? I think until they get their own support system working correctly where I have no troubles in monitoring my own internet useage should that be necessary....
