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Replying To:
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Comcast and VPN Revisited
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By Ed Foster, Section Gripes
Posted on Fri May 02, 2003 at 02:51:50 PM PDT
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The weblog format is ideal for handling the type of gripe where we need
feedback from many readers. And we happen to have need for just that in
order to determine how Comcast is or is not applying its VPN ban to
newly acquired AT&T cable modem customers.
On a number of occasions in the past, I’ve reported on the fact that
the terms of service for Comcast’s cable modem broadband service
specifically bans the use of Virtual Private Networks. Customers who
wanted to access their company’s VPN from home were told by Comcast that
they would have to subscribe to a more expensive service.
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Ever since it was announced that Comcast was acquiring AT&T’s cable
business, the question has lingered whether the VPN ban would apply to those
customers as well. Over the last few months, I’ve heard from a number of
readers whose local AT&T cable outlet has been taken over by Comcast, so
I ought to know the answer. But I don’t.
The reader reports so far are a real mixed bag. Several said that,
sure enough, their VPN has indeed stopped working, but that Comcast is
telling them that it’s just a bug. Others former AT&T customers say they
can still use VPN, but they’ve been told this is a temporary
accommodation until Comcast completes the migration.
That we have these varied reports isn’t really surprising. Even with
the old Comcast, whether or not customers were actually prevented from
using VPN has seemed to vary from cable outlet to cable outlet. Which is
why the real question is not what Comcast says it’s going to do, but
what it actually does. So let’s see how many readers we can get to
report on their experience in this regard. New and old Comcast
customers: can you use VPN without paying an extra fee? Post a comment
or write me at ed@gripe2ed.com
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