Time Warner Cable tests something like 'Powerboost'

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews

June 25, 2008, 5:05 PM

Unconfirmed reports have surfaced that Time Warner Cable has begun testing technologies providing a Comcast-like "powerboost" to the beginning portions of file transfers.

Comcast's Powerboost is an initial burst of bandwidth for large uploads and downloads, offering as much as double the regular connection speed.

Cable companies Cox and Shaw both license the technology, and Broadband Reports found out from a "company insider" that Time Warner Cable could be the next to adopt this technique.

Though it is unclear whether it will be a license of Comcast's Powerboost technology or the company's own solution providing similar results, the ISP is reported to be testing in select upstate New York markets, delivering as fast as 16 Mbps boosts in areas that typically get 3 and 5 Mbps.

This has not been confirmed as a fact from officials, but it would fit with recent tests from both Comcast and Time Warner Cable examining methods of controlling bandwidth consumption. In a test market in Beaumont, Texas, TWC has put monthly usage allowances on users, with a dollar-per-gigabyte overage charge. Comcast has announced plans for establishing peak and off-peak hours for usage limitations.

AT&T could enact similar limitations, recently saying that it is considering usage-based pricing, where the more consumptive downloaders get hit with additional fees.