31.12.201
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With the developments in technology, the widespread use of smart devices, and the diversity of services offered, internet access speed and data volume have become important parameters for users. There have been many complaints and opinions expressed on various platforms regarding the Fair Usage Point (FUP), also known as Fair Usage Quota, which is the practice of reducing download speed once a certain data usage amount is reached, allowing users to continue receiving internet service at this speed without additional fees, particularly complaints that the speed after FUP is too low.
In fixed broadband internet services, the access speed after FUP is generally applied at 3 Mbit/s, while in mobile broadband access, post-FUP access speeds that vary according to the tariff package can be applied.
Evaluating the complaints and requests conveyed on this matter, the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) has made a significant regulation in this area. A comprehensive study was conducted by BTK to improve the data download speed after FUP and to ensure transparency at the consumer level regarding FUP data volume and post-FUP access speeds in packages promoted as unlimited/unrestricted. Taking into account technological developments, consumer demands and needs, and the sector's opinions, principles were determined for transparency, information provision, and improvement of speed values.
CONSUMERS WILL BE FULLY AND ACCURATELY INFORMED
With the aforementioned regulation; for tariff and packages with FUP, in order to provide consumers with complete and accurate information;
Packages promoted as “Unlimited/unrestricted”; there were consumer complaints that information about FUP was not sufficiently clear in promotions and package presentations, that the speed drops significantly upon reaching the limit data volume, and that stating the service as unlimited/unrestricted was misleading.
IMPROVEMENT IN POST-FUP SPEED VALUES
Under the aforementioned regulation by BTK, improvements were also made in post-FUP speed values. In mobile internet services, operators were applying post-FUP speed values at different levels. Regarding speed values that caused consumer complaints about being too low, operators' opinions were also taken into account, and the post-FUP data download speed for mobile internet was set at a minimum of 128 Kbit/s. The 128 Kbit/s post-FUP speed application will start on March 1, 2017.
In fixed broadband internet services, for all packages with FUP, the download speed was applied at 3 Mbit/s upon reaching the FUP level. With the regulation made by BTK, post-FUP download speeds that vary according to package speed were determined.
Accordingly; a subscriber with an FUP package at a speed between 8 and 16 Mbit/s will have a minimum post-FUP download speed of 5 Mbit/s upon reaching the FUP data volume and will be able to receive internet service at this speed until the end of the billing period.
A subscriber with an FUP package at a speed between 16 and 24 Mbit/s will be able to receive internet service at 8 Mbit/s post-FUP speed until the end of the billing period upon exceeding the FUP level. This improvement in FUP speeds will take effect on May 1, 2017. Operators will complete the necessary preparations by this date.
A table regarding post-FUP data download speeds in fixed broadband internet tariff and packages where FUP is applied by fixed network operators is provided as an attachment.
INTERNET USAGE BETWEEN 02:00-08:00 WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN FUP
According to the regulation made by BTK; in packages with FUP, internet usage between 02:00-08:00 will not be included in FUP, and the speed during internet usage in the aforementioned hours will be at the speed announced at the launch of the FUP package. The aforementioned hourly application will start on May 1, 2017.
Additionally, with the aforementioned regulation, it was decided to completely end the FUP application as of December 31, 2018.
With the aforementioned regulation, in addition to ensuring that consumers are correctly and fully informed when purchasing tariffs or packages to enable them to make the right decisions, the aim was to make post-FUP access speeds appropriate and increase them according to the requirements of the age, and to not include internet data values used in hours when internet traffic is low in FUP.
Post-FUP data download speeds in fixed broadband internet tariff and packages where FUP is applied are as follows: