এইমাত্র একটা এসএমএস পেলাম গ্রামীণফোন থেকে। মেসেজটা বলছে, গ্রামীণফোন ইন্টারনেট ব্যবহারের শর্তাবলিতে নতুন শর্ত যোগ করা হয়েছে। এক্ষুণি গ্রামীণফোনের ওয়েবসাইট ভিজিট করতে। ওয়েবসাইট ভিজিট করে নতুন যা দেখতে পেলাম, তা মোটামুটি এইরকমঃ পিয়ার-টু-পিয়ার নেটওয়ার্কের মাধ্যমে (টরেন্ট ডাউনলোড) ব্যবহারকারীরা অন্য সব সাধারণ ইন্টারনেট ইউজারদের স্পিড কমিয়ে ফেলেন। সাধারণত বড় আকারের ফাইল ডাউনলোড করতেই পি-টু-পি নেটওয়ার্ক ব্যবহৃত হয়।

গ্রামীণফোনের “ফেয়ার ইউজার পলিসি” অনুসারে পি-টু-পি নেটওয়ার্ক ব্যবহার করে যারা প্রচুর ডাউনলোড করেন, তাদের ইন্টারনেটের গতি কমিয়ে দেয়া বা সার্ভিস টার্মিনেট করে দিতে পারে গ্রামীণফোন। অর্থাৎ, মাসিক ৯৭৭ টাকা নিয়েও আনলিমিটেড ইন্টারনেটটা মূলত বন্ধই করে দিল জিপি। মূল সাইট থেকেঃ The Grameenphone Fair Usage Policy is implemented to make sure that our Internet Service offers all the internet subscribers optimum value in terms of speed and reliability, wherever & whenever they use it. Benefits of having a Fair Usage Policy At peak times, a lot of customers use the shared network bandwidth at any one point. A very small number of our customers use their internet service inappropriately, for example using ‘peer to peer’ and file sharing software (which may be sending and receiving video and other large files constantly). This means that service quality for all users is affected, making it slower for everyone to access the internet or send and receive emails, especially at peak times. The vast majority of Grameenphone’s customers use their service considerately and their usage levels do not disproportionately affect the shared network capacity. Even though only a very small number of our customers use the service inappropriately, their activity does greatly affect overall service. The Grameenphone Fair Usage Policy manages inappropriate use and makes sure the service can be used fairly by everyone. Impact of Fair Usage Policy Subscribers who are heavy or excessive users generally use Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software or file sharing software, they are usually the ones who upload and download large files, such as movies and music, to their computer on a daily basis. These users take up excessive bandwidth, slowing the connection down for everyone else. Grameenphone believes that this sort of activity, if done continuously, unfairly affects other users of the service (within the same base station). Considering the above, GP has taken the responsibility to restrict the data transfer rates of the heavy users (through Fair Usage Policy) to maintain the overall experience of the other subscriber base. If such a subscriber (heavy user) continues to use Grameenphone internet services inappropriately or violates the standard conventions of use, Grameenphone reserves the right to terminate their agreement after giving them adequate notice in advance. How does the Fair Usage Policy affect a subscriber Grameenphone’s Fair Usage Policy applies to all subscribers of Grameenphone Internet Service but it will only actually affect an individual if they are one of the very few subscriber who make inappropriate use of Grameenphone service. The subscribers those are most likely to be affected by a fair usage policy are: * Users of peer-to-peer networks engaged in uploading and downloading lots of films and music * Online continuous gamers * Any other heavy downloaders Accepted level of usage: Grameenphone’s Unlimited Plans are designed for subscribers who do not want to receive a bill beyond a certain amount and for those who wish to enjoy unlimited access to their internet. However, in the event that usage exceeds the regular acceptable levels in accordance with the Fair Usage Policy, subscribers shall not be charged for their excess usage. Instead, a restriction shall be placed on their data transfer rates beyond their regular usage in order to ensure the quality of service for all regular customers. Unlimited Plan subscribers who regularly exceed the accepted level of usage will be affected by this Fair Usage Policy. Under the terms of GP’s unlimited internet plan, no charge will be applied for excess usage, however upon exceeding the stipulated volume limit, the subscriber’s speed shall be restricted for the remaining period within their current bill cycle or validity period or that particular day depending on the package they are using. Normal service speed shall be restored from the first day of the next bill cycle or subscription renewal. Accepted leel of usage for different plans: * P2 (Unlimited plan –prepaid & postpaid) 5 GB/billcycle or 30 days validity period * P3 (Unlimited Night plan – prepaid & postpaid) 5 GB/bill cycle or 30 days validity period অর্থাৎ, যারা আনলিমিটেড ইন্টারনেট ব্যবহার করেন, তারা কেবল হাতে-কলমেই আনলিমিটেড ব্যবহারকারী। বাস্তবে তারা ৫ গিগাবাইটের বেশি ডাউনলোড করতে গেলেই স্পিড কমিয়ে দেয়া থেকে ইন্টারনেট সংযোগ বন্ধ করে দিতে পারে গ্রামীণফোন। এবার সত্যি সত্যিই গ্রামীণফোনের বিকল্প কোনো সেবাদাতা প্রতিষ্ঠানের প্রয়োজন অনুভব করছি।

মূল: মো. আমিনুল ইসলাম সজীব
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