Is bandwidth too expensive?

Does your Web host, NOC, Reseller Provider charge you too much for bandwidth?

Let us know what you think!

:rolleyes: (Thinking)

There is plenty of demand yet limited supply. Hence price.

Bandwidth needs to fall otherwise it's gonna be a pretty static web.

Say the majority of Internet users have 1mbps broadband connections in five years, they're going to expect video, sound, shockwave, flash and loads more from websites, yet can we offer them it without losing money on bandwidth? Most website ownerz are paranoid at having one realmedia file to download/stream nevermind a fully multimedia website.

I haven't been here long, but from everything that I've read it seems like the price is already extemely low compared to what it used to be and it's only getting cheaper.

I think "MattF" is 100% correct!

Most of our clients want allot of bandwidth more than anything else but because its so expensive I can't add allot to plans to even make them look more attractive!

MattF Said - "Bandwidth needs to fall otherwise it's gonna be a pretty static web" = I agree

:uzi: Expensive Bandwidth

This is a very good question. I have seen potential bandwidth (traffic) charges deter customers from employing streaming media on their web site. The unknown amount of traffic fees is the biggest roadblock.

We usually offer the first three months of service for free and include streaming media access. This gives the customer some time to see how much the charges will be if they continue. I think they usually find that the fees are not as much as they thought.

Consider offering your customers a trial period with streaming media. It may help overcome the fear. It certainly will be a static web w/out more of these sites.

Cars are too expensive, houses are too expensive, and bandwidth is too expensive as well. :)

But from what I've seen, bandwidth prices have come down quite a lot in recent years. Not too long ago, you'd have to pay $10 per GB of good quality bandwidth. Now it's more like $1-3, or sometimes even less depending on the quality.

I think that history tells us that by the time everyone has a 1mbit dedicated line to their home, bandwith will cost a lot less per GB, but we'll use much more of it, so overall our monthly bills will remain the same.

I don't have a problem with bandwidth cost from my stand point but do not like it when a host provider bills a client for extra bandwidth in "blocks."

Ex: $4.00 per gig (billed in 10 gig blocks) :mad:

You also need to account for technology reducing the required amount of bandwidth which is happening at a faster rate and will probably do more for closing the gap than the actual drop in bw prices.

-Brendan

Originally posted by Curtis H.
I don't have a problem with bandwidth cost from my stand point but do not like it when a host provider bills a client for extra bandwidth in "blocks."
Ex: $4.00 per gig (billed in 10 gig blocks) :mad:

The fact is many web hosts (serious ones atleast) are themselves billed for 100GB+ blocks, even if they're over their quota by under 1GB.

Though it's never nice to pass such miscalculations in financial planning on to the customer. ;P

If you hook up with a good web host, you can get bandwidth for $1.50 - $2.50/GB -- without block purchase requirements.

I'm not going to name any names though. *nudge*

Originally posted by jstanden
I'm not going to name any names though. *nudge*

Me either. :D