I have a question concerning the bandwidth and disk space provided by Siteground. They allow 7500 GB per month per site. It is obvious that few sites if any would ever need this capacity, but can someone clarify this...

I am a reseller for Siteground and just recently found out that they are a reseller for ThePlanet.com. Doing what any business owner would do, I checked out ThePlanet.com to see if I would be better off working with them directly. Essentially what I would do at ThePlanet.com is lease a server(s) and host multiple sites - shared hosting. In a nutshell, I could do the same thing that Siteground was doing for me with the effort of setting up WHM / CPanel, etc. BUT! How can I offer the same bandwidth or even close per site that Siteground was offering? I have several sites with Siteground that are operating on the same server IP (a shared server). So, if I have 7500 GB of bandwidth and 750 GB per site on this server, then how are they setup with ThePlanet.com?

Obviously, there is a special relationship between Siteground and ThePlanet.com, and I am not concerned about that, but how could it ever be possible to provide 7500 GB of bandwidth allowance and 750 GB of space with any dedicated server? I don't necessarily need 7500 GB of bandwidth, but the 750 GB of space is not too far fetched for some of the sites that I host. When places like ThePlanet.com and RackSpace.com provide leased servers at bandwidth limits around 2500 GB and 500 GB fo space, what options do I have but to stay with Siteground?

The main reason I would want to find another solution is so that I can have root access and a customized WHM. But, once again, what about comparable bandwidth and space limits?

...sorry for the rambling... I am just annoyed at ThePlanet.com's sales chat experience. I had to wait several minutes just to get a response to some of these questions above, ultimately to get a response that essentially meant that they could not answer why Siteground could offer what they offer "...I can only tell you waht we offer and the prices..." and "...it is a matter of privacy and business models..." blah!

Have you tried to upload 100GB+ data and use 1000+ GB banwidth?
The number is just for marketing/advertising purpose.
Some providers might have terms to restrict files type.
Normally you would receive an email saying that they cannot host you if your usage is too high.
I don't think you can use 50% of resource quota but still comply all terms of service.

What he's trying to say is:

They r proabbly over-selling bandwidth & space ... and u could do the same (Or not).

That's the reason Theplant.com didn't want to answer u directly.

What he's trying to say is:

They r proabbly over-selling bandwidth & space ... and u could do the same (Or not).

That's the reason Theplant.com didn't want to answer u directly.
I do agree with this.

I have one site in particular that uses a ton of bandwidth. As the site grows, it is using more and more. So, I have considered using a dedicated server, but leasing a dedicated server only gives you 2500 GB or so - far less than what Siteground allows even though it is over-sold. The site owner simply could not afford the additional bandwidth on a dedicated server.

If I were to move my reseller account, I would not be too interested in over-selling. For example, if I have a 2500 GB (bandwidth) server leased, then maybe I can put 20 or so sites on there that could share that bandwidth. SO, I could advertise my hosted sites with 2500 GB of bandwidth, right? In Siteground's case, they would likely advertise 5000, or 7500 GB for each site.

Anyhow, I am sure that Siteground is getting a phenomenal deal for hosting such a large number of sites with ThePlanet.com. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I am sure that Siteground is getting a phenomenal deal for hosting such a large number of sites with ThePlanet.com. I assure you, ThePlanet, or any provider, could not provide sell 7.5TB of data transfer for the few dollars that Siteground asks, without overselling. We're talking hundreds of dollars worth of data transfer there.

What the math can't explain here, is explained largely by overselling (betting that the customer won't use what he's offered), and a little bit by economy of scale or discounts. It's definitely not the other way around though.

ThePlanet's tech was in fact pretty fair and as open as he could given their position as provider, when he said "...it is a matter of privacy and business models..."

I assure you, ThePlanet, or any provider, could not provide sell 7.5TB of data transfer for the few dollars that Siteground asks, without overselling. We're talking hundreds of dollars worth of data transfer there.

What the math can't explain here, is explained largely by overselling (betting that the customer won't use what he's offered), and a little bit by economy of scale or discounts. It's definitely not the other way around though.

ThePlanet's tech was in fact pretty fair and as open as he could given their position as provider, when he said "...it is a matter of privacy and business models..."

Understood. However, what happens if/when I reach the 7500 GB with just one site? Yes, this site should be hosted on a dedicated server and I am looking into those options, but where can I get that bandwidth for a reasonable price?

If Siteground cancels me or refers me to a different solution because I am maxing out the 7500 GB, wouldn't that be false advertisement?

If Siteground cancels me or refers me to a different solution because I am maxing out the 7500 GB, wouldn't that be false advertisement?

No it wouldn't, be sure to read the TOS. There are clauses in there that give them certain reasons why they can cancel the account way before you reach your limit.

No it wouldn't, be sure to read the TOS. There are clauses in there that give them certain reasons why they can cancel the account way before you reach your limit.
But, they should not be able to cancel my account if I use what they have offered to me, right? I have not thoroughly read the agreement, but even if that is in there, I would label it a disservice - by way of false advertisement or crookedness. If they cancel me for overuse and use a different reason other than that...that's crooked and dishonest.

NOTE TO ALL VIEWERS: This discussion is hypothetical and these events have not taken place to me. I just want to protect my investments and business interests.

If Siteground cancels me or refers me to a different solution because I am maxing out the 7500 GB, wouldn't that be false advertisement?It would be false advertising if they would suspend you account because of the data transfer usage.

However, 7.5TB offer is one thing, while the CPU usage and other policies you agree to when you click on that "I agree" checkbox during sign-up, are another. I don't know how much you/your client are using now, but for the vast majority of sites, the following holds true: a site will need a dedicated server in computing power terms, way before reaching 7.5TB of monthly data transfer.

I have not thoroughly read the agreementThen I can see how this comes as a surprise to you. But such surprises should not be much of a surprise when you don't read the contracts you sign -- if that makes any sense. :)

...a site will need a dedicated server in computing power terms, way before reaching 7.5TB of monthly data transfer.

I am sure that is true, but misleading nonetheless. If you can't reach it (7.5 TB) before being canceled, then why advertise it? Well, because it is a good marketing scheme/scam! That's just the way the world works, so we just need to suck it up for what it is...

I need a zone that will allow this level of BW per mo, but it does not seem to exist within a respective budget. This, of course, is short of buying and hosting a dedicated server at my own location under a T1/T3 connection.

...brings another question to mind: If I have a T1 installed at my office (about $400/mo), what kind of BW could I expect to serve up? Does the ISP limit me to BW/mo?

...
Then I can see how this comes as a surprise to you. But such surprises should not be much of a surprise when you don't read the contracts you sign -- if that makes any sense. :)

Trust me, I am not surprised - just discussing options that I have with a site that needs a lot of BW. And I would be lying if I told you that I read the agreement word for word. :D

Was this offered for one server? I doubt they can offer 7500GB.

Was this offered for one server? I doubt they can offer 7500GB.
No, the 7500 GB BW was/is offered by Siteground for each site on a shared server.

If I have a T1 installed at my office (about $400/mo), what kind of BW could I expect to serve up? A T1 is 1.544mpbs, which means ~400GB data transfer (and that's just theoretical!) in a month, if you use it close to 100% of capacity all the time, which is very unlikely.

No, the 7500 GB BW was/is offered by Siteground for each site on a shared server.

... Ahhh - U see ... On a shared-server they can play around with the over-sell, but not with a dedi!

... Ahhh - U see ... On a shared-server they can play around with the over-sell, but not with a dedi!
Very true, but my original post alludes to how Siteground is able to use ThePlanet.com's servers when they typically offer 2500 GB BW or their top servers at 4000 GB. It is obvious that they are spanning their BW across multiple servers in blocks from ThePlanet.com - a special deal for selling tens of thousands of hosting accounts, I presume.

Site Ground mostly probably have a few servers with ThePlanet which are all conected on a Private Line, meaning that any one of the servers could use up all the bandwidth 2500GB * Server Count. This means that they can oversell, as they know that a very small amount is going to use the limit of bandwidth e.t.c.

Also They may have done a deal with The Planet, meaning they have more Bandwidth on their servers that you may see in the normal deals, im sure if you contacted The Planet and had some funding you could do the same.

Site Ground mostly probably have a few servers with ThePlanet which are all conected on a Private Line, meaning that any one of the servers could use up all the bandwidth 2500GB * Server Count. This means that they can oversell, as they know that a very small amount is going to use the limit of bandwidth e.t.c.

Also They may have done a deal with The Planet, meaning they have more Bandwidth on their servers that you may see in the normal deals, im sure if you contacted The Planet and had some funding you could do the same.
Well said. I think that is a good summary...thanks!

After contating them and a bit more detail, they said them self.

Its hard for most of are customers to reach the bandwidth limit, this shows that they hope most of their clients won't and the few/any that do manage have the bandwidth their available.

I suspect that it has more to do with a fairly restrictive implementation of terms:
http://www.siteground.com/tos_popup.php?id=1

I suspect that it has more to do with a fairly restrictive implementation of terms:
http://www.siteground.com/tos_popup.php?id=1

per the SG TOS:
Choice of Arbitrator
The Customer agrees that if any disputes or claims arise against the Company or its subsidiaries, such disputes will be handled by an arbitrator at the legal registration location of the Company. All decisions rendered by that arbitrator will be binding and final.
Boy, I hope that doesn't need to happen. I am in the US and from what I understand, they are in Bulgaria! Can anyone verify this?

Depends on the particular rules broken, but some of that would be running against UK consumer law certainly, however like everything its all about how far you would actually get trying to enforce it.

It's blatant overselling that's all.

I am in the US and from what I understand, they are in Bulgaria! Can anyone verify this?From their whois, it would appear they're incorporated in the US: http://whois.domaintools.com/siteground.com

* 5715 Will Clayton #3712, Humble, TX 77338
* PO Box 190, Sofia 1680, Bulgaria, European Union
http://www.customerhostingreviews.com/siteground/reviews/510

A possible scenario is that the owner is Bulgarian, or of Bulgarian descent, and uses workforce from there.

From their whois, it would appear they're incorporated in the US: http://whois.domaintools.com/siteground.com


http://www.customerhostingreviews.com/siteground/reviews/510

A possible scenario is that the owner is Bulgarian, or of Bulgarian descent, and uses workforce from there.
In addition, I have recently seen that they do claim that their support team is located in Bulgaria. Honestly, I think this is fine. It is only that I would rather deal with a US-based company - incorporated in the US. This is because I am in the US. If I were in Guatemala, then maybe I would rather use a Guatemalan -based company.

Thanks everyone for all the details in this thread. I have seen that there is good and bad with Siteground, but overall, my experience has been fair. And with their prices, I am satisfied. Their support started out sort of hairy and I was dissatisfied, but after one complaint, they seemed to have turned things around and are answering my support tickets within 2 hours normally. I do think that they could really improve their KB though.

Not sure why they would use Bulgarians for support since they're not native English speakers. If anything it must be technical issues they are dealing with.

Not sure why they would use Bulgarians for support since they're not native English speakers.Plenty of people speak great English, even if it's not their mother tongue. As long as the recruiting is done correctly, it should have a minimum/negligible negative impact on the overall service.

There have been a lot of complaints in the UK for instance with outsourcing to India and South Africa. The latter two have a lot of native English speakers but there is a cultural aspect that plays quite an important role with support as well.

Its actually not hard to use this much bandwidth, I currently have 2 servers that use about 9TB a month. It just depends on what is hosted on them.

Not sure why they would use Bulgarians for support since they're not native English speakers. If anything it must be technical issues they are dealing with.
The Siteground support team does a great job with their English. In fact, I would not be surprised if they we native English.

In another case, Dell computers outsources their support to India (who knows where really), and that is one of my biggest complaints about Dell. I do not have anything against India or any other countries/cultures, but it is just the fact that Indian sppech is EXTREMELY hard to comprehend when speaking English. They do an awesome job otherwise - just hard to understand them. I prefer to deal locally across the board, but I do support outsourcing when it makes sense to the company. Just too bad that it takes jobs from the home country.

Overselling!
Even if they are over selling..
It comes up to the same thing..

Example:
Some Hosting Company sells 100 GB of their server BW to 2 people giving them 100 Gb BW Each.. And if customer A consumes 40 GB of BW and Customer B consumes 60 GB Of BW.. The Seller/Hoster makes double profit by over selling..
Everyone wants an extra buck..
Why not give them a chance to earn it ;)