Cable & Wireless Seychelles Broadband Q & As
What is Internet usage?
In short, Internet usage is the amount of data you send (upload) and receive (download) through your Internet connection. Internet usage is measured in Megabytes (MB), whereby 1024MB equates to 1 Gigabyte (GB).
Why do Cable & Wireless (CWS) Broadband packages have usage allowance?
With broadband, it is possible for a small fraction of the users to consume a large portion of the bandwidth and thus affect the performance of the network for everyone. On our broadband network, about 20% of the subscribers consume over 80% of the bandwidth. To ensure equity on the network we have introduced usage allowance, resulting in a better service for the average subscribers through improved network efficiency. CWS offers a variety of usage plans to accommodate the different household/business' usage needs ranging from low to high.
How do I incur Internet usage?
The main way you consume large amounts of usage is through high usage activities, such as downloading movies via http sites (e.g rapidshare, megaupload, zhare etc), streaming videos/music and exchanging files using peer to peer applications (e.g kazaa, limewire,emule, bittorrent).
How do I control my Internet usage?
Here are some tips and tricks on how to avoid unwanted usage:
- If you have a wireless router, you may have unauthorized users logging onto your account. You should ensure that your router is encrypted or password-protected to safeguard against unauthorized access. For instructions on how to secure common routers, please visit the web site of your router's manufacturer, or get in touch with an IT professional to assist you.
- If you are on a network, usage is expected be higher than normal. However, your network administrator has visibility of your network users' activities and can use a number of tools available to efficiently manage/allocate bandwidth through your network in order to keep usage to a minimum.
- Understand that some popular peer-to-peer file sharing programs (Bit Torrent, Shareaza, etc.) will upload shared files, by default, to others as fast as your connection will allow. This activity is often invisible to you but can accumulate significant usage in a month. Check your program preferences and ensure the upstream Internet is limited.
- Remember that leaving streaming music players/videos running while you're away or doing other things can generate usage you might not be aware of.
- Install software to limit or eliminate the volume of spam you receive. Find effective tools to combat spam.
- Install and regularly update your antivirus software to minimize the risk of your Internet being used by an outside party for unauthorized purposes. For the same reason, you should also regularly visit the Web site of your operating system vendor to install the latest security patches.
Is speed a factor in usage?
Speed determines how fast usage can be incurred, not the amount that is incurred. Example: Customer A has a connection of up to 256kbps and customer B has a connection of up to 1 mbps. Both are downloading the same movie. Both customer A and B will incur the same amount of usage because they are downloading the same file, but customer B will download the movie a lot quicker.
What happens if I go over my usage allowance?
If you exceed your usage allowance, any additional usage above your current allowance will be charged at SR0.50/ MB. Your usage period coincides with your Cable and Wireless Internet service billing cycle (from the 1st to the end of each month).Internet usage tracking starts at midnight of each billing cycle and ends at midnight on the last day. Any usage not consumed at the end of your billing cycle cannot be carried over into the next month.
How can I track my Internet usage?
Go to www.cwseychelles.com/internetusage to view your usage.
How can I increase my usage allowance?
You can increase your usage allowance by upgrading your service, which means you will not only get more usage but you may also benefit from increased speed and extra Value Added Services.
I have upgraded to the highest Broadband package and my allowance is still not enough, what can Ido?
In that case you need one of our Dedicated Internet (IPVC) unlimited packages. Contact one of our sales executive for more information.
Whom can I contact if I have additional questions about Internet usage?
You can call our customer service centers on 100 or pay us s visit for more information.