BEC Communications commits to using reasonable network management practices, and to manage its network and provide access in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) rules. The FCC prohibits providers of Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) from engaging in blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization of lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management. Reasonable network management includes avoiding congestion, combating harmful illegal content, and responding to legitimate safety and security issues. BEC Communications’ policies regarding network management practices are outlined herein in an effort to inform you of BEC Communications’ network performance, management practices, and terms of service.
I. Network Practices
Congestion Management. Congestion due to malfunctioning hardware and/or software will be remedied as quickly as network engineers can diagnose and identify the offending hardware / software. Congestion due to malice will be remedied using any technique available, including protocol-aware filtering and rate-limiting, to control and limit the offending source. BEC Communications may seek criminal charges against those who inflict network malice. BEC Communications may also attempt to recover costs incurred from network malice.
BEC Communications reserves the right to monitor customer usage and evaluate on an individual account basis bandwidth or hardware utilization to efficiently manage the performance of the network to ensure a sustainable quality broadband service is provided.
- User-Based Practices. BEC Communications does not target specific users or user groups for congestion management.
- Blocking or Throttling. BEC Communications reserves the right to disconnect or limit any account access to the Internet that in the opinion of its system administrator is a threat to the security or lawful operation of the Internet service or the service’s software and/or hardware or that repeatedly violates the terms of its Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) or other terms of service. BEC Communications reserves the right, but does not assume the responsibility, to block or limit access to content that violates its AUP. BEC Communications will not unjustly or unreasonably block access to lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management. BEC Communications also will not unjustly or unreasonably (other than reasonable network management elsewhere disclosed) degrade or impair access to lawful Internet traffic based on content, application, service, user, or use of non-harmful devices.
- Affiliated or Paid Prioritization. BEC Communications does not unjustly or unreasonably favor some traffic over other traffic including through use of techniques such as traffic shaping, prioritization, or resource reservation, to benefit an affiliate or in exchange for consideration, monetary or other benefit.
- Zero Rating. BEC Communications does not engage in zero rating.
- Application-Specific Behavior. BEC Communications does not make use of any application-specific network management practices. BEC Communications does not modify protocol fields in ways not prescribedby the protocol standard. BEC Communications does not inhibit or favor certain applications or classes of applications. BEC Communications does not block or rate-control specific protocols or protocol ports, except for malformed or non-standard protocol traffic as identified by BEC Communications. BEC Communications reserves the right to block outbound Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) from residential IP addresses to protect against unsolicited commercial email (UCE) or spam.
- Device Attachment Rules. Devices connecting to BEC Communications’ network must conform to general public standards and be non-harmful to the network.
- Security. BEC Communications provides its own methods to secure and protect its Internet service and network. Such action is not a substitute for the customer providing his/her own security or protection for your own software, devices, network, or data. BEC Communications specifically disclaims any liability for any breach of security or any harm to a customer’s computing system while connected to BEC Communications’ Internet service.
II. Performance Characteristics
Service Description. The advertised speed of BEC Communications’ Internet service is the maximum bandwidth throughput that is available and achievable with the technology utilized by BEC Communications. Advertised speeds/latencies can be found in our Broadband Labels located at https://www.bartlettec.coop/becc. Our customer serving networks are comprised of various access platformtechnologies that deliver Internet service. Some characteristics of generally available Internet access by type:
- FTTP (Fiber-to-the-premise) supports up to 1000 Mbps, less than 25ms latency, depending on service level subscribed.
- Fixed Wireless generally supports 100Mbps download and 25Mbps upload, depending on customer location in relation to maintaining line of sight with transmitter. Latency is typically less than 70ms. Any access platform technology used or supported to provide Internet service may change at any time at the sole discretion of BEC Communications.
Several factors may affect the actual bandwidth throughput of BEC Communications’ Internet service offerings. This includes but is not limited to the distance between the service point and BEC Communications’ central office as well as the customer’s computer, modem or router used. Internet traffic and activity during peak usage periods may also impact the available bit rate.
III. Commercial Terms
- Pricing. Pricing for our services and fees can be found online at: https://www.bartlettec.coop/becc
- Privacy Policies. Our Privacy Policy can be found online at: https://www.bartlettec.coop/privacypolicy Communications does not generally inspect network traffic. BEC Communications does not otherwise store, use, or provide traffic information for non-network management purposes or those not identified in the Privacy Policy. Certain traffic information is retained and stored for specific periods of time as required by state orfederal law. This includes information stored and provided to law enforcement as it relates to information requested by law enforcement pursuant to national security and/or criminal statutes and Acts.
IV. Redress Options
- ou have any questions or concerns regarding this Network Management Policy, please contact member services or technical support by calling 254-527-3551. You can also email us at customerservice@bartlettec.coop. The FCC has established procedures for addressing informal and formal complaints regarding broadband service. For information, you can contact the FCC by phone at 1-888-225- 5322, online at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or online at www.fcc.gov/guides/getting-broadband.