How fair is the cap on Internet use? Nader Habib finds out I am ruined. I have been building websites and the money was good. Now with the introduction of the Fair Access Policy [FAP], all this is going to change. I will not be able to download or upload the programmes and websites that I design. Would it make you feel better if I turn to crime?" came the response of one Internet user to the introduction of FAP in Egypt. The above is an illustration of the anger voiced over websites and Facebook since the introduction of FAP. Some Internet users took to the streets too, picketing Internet companies while holding signs reading, "No to limited access!" Amr Badawi, executive director of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), said that FAP, which went into effect 1 August, aims to place a limit on the uploading and downloading of data, the aim being to prevent abusive use of the service which leads to congestion that slows down the system. NTRA has made sure that the downloading maximum is appropriate for the needs of the average user, but prevents misuse. Those who exceed the permissible limits will have their speeds reduced to 128 kbps, Badawi has been quoted as saying. The caps on Internet use, Badawi added, allow users to browse the Internet and use most common applications. NTRA also made the maximum download commensurate with speed. Users on a speed of 1mbps are allowed to download a maximum of 50GB, which is equivalent to the downloading of 7,000 audio files or more than 40 video files, along with daily browsing of the Internet and the update of basic programmes, such as operating systems and virus protection programmes. NTRA will monitor users who resell Internet services illegally through unauthorised connections, and let more than one user share the same line, a practice deemed illegal according to existing law. The resale of such services is a crime under Law 10/2003 on telecommunications regulation, and legal action will be taken against violators, Badawi said. The idea of limiting Internet access goes back to 1990 when several Internet service providers created a protocol called Fair Access Policy, giving equal access to users of high speed Internet. Internet providers claim that if one of their subscribers abuses his download capacity, it will affect the speed at which other clients get the service. Thus came the idea of limiting access. But users believe that companies are doing this as cover for their inability to service customers. "I will sue the company providing the service and I will win because there is a clause concerning the breach of contract that doesn't allow the company to harm subscribers or to reduce their rights. What the contract states is the speed of the service, not the amount of downloading," said another disgruntled user. Taha El-Masri, who lives in Belgium, commenting on Facebook, says he uses the Internet in Belgium at a speed of 15mbps and is allowed 30GB per month plus a free telephone landline, a high definition television cable, and permission to connect to four computers at once. The service costs him 50 euros per month, or LE400. "In Egypt, I used to pay LE780 for 2GB, then the price went down to LE450, then finally to LE380. Keep in mind that north Belgium is one of the richest parts of Europe, and people are happy to pay for what they get." In an attempt to contain the crisis, Telecommunications Minister Tareq Kamel said that all existing contracts would be honoured and that the FAP will be applied to all new contracts only and on trial basis for two months. The minister pointed out that the government aims to develop the local market and expand the service to the largest possible section of the population. Kamel said that because of the appearance of new applications, especially those involving video, and because the Internet is turning gradually into an integrated network for data, audio and video, terms of service needed to be evaluated. The new system is a proposal made by service providers and approved by the executive board of the NTRA, the minister added. The new FAP allows subscribers to join at a specific speed and within a certain download capacity. If a subscriber wishes for more speed or download capacity, he may buy a more expensive package, or pay extra for the amount of additional usage. Meanwhile, NTRA will be compiling data for the evaluation of the new system, the minister stated. Rate of Internet use: Type of activity: Size (approximately) E-mail: 4KB Digital photos: 1MB Music: 4MB Movies: 700MB High definition movies: 4GB The rate of use allowed by the FAP: For 512 kbps the max is 25GB For 1mbps, the max is 40GB For 2mbps, the max is 60GB For 4mbps, the max is 80GB For 8mbps, the max is 120GB For 16mbps, the max is 180GB For 24mbps, the max is 250GB For every extra GB, subscribers are charged LE10 Subscribers interested in knowing their Internet use can download an "Internet use metre" that would keep them up to date on their data traffic consumption. How much do you use? When you send or receive any material across the Internet, the data transfer is measured in kilobits (KB), megabits (MB), and gigabits (GB). Every MB is made up of 1,024KB, and every GB is made of 1,024MB. The total of your consumption is measured by the company at the end of every month and compared with your maximum allowance, which depends on the speed chosen upon subscription. The FAP will impact you only if: You use peer-to-peer programmes to exchange files or an activity that involves downloads of numerous multi-media files. You share one subscription with other users, such as neighbours and friends, through cables or WiFi, or you resell the service illegally.
