Milwaukee PC Internet Service Network Management Policy

“AT&T strives to provide a high-quality Internet experience for all of our customers. Because the Internet consists of multiple interconnected networks and most Internet end points (e.g., websites and other content providers) are not directly connected to the AT&T network, AT&T must connect to and exchange traffic with other networks to provide its subscribers the capability of uploading data to or downloading data from Internet end points that are connected to those networks. To that end, AT&T has entered into commercially negotiated agreements to exchange traffic with those networks (and the networks with which those networks are connected) on mutually agreeable terms. The links AT&T and other networks use to exchange such traffic may become congested at times. Consistent with its agreements with those other networks and its long-standing practice, AT&T may establish or expand the connections between its network and other networks, but only on mutually agreeable terms. If AT&T is unable to reach agreement on terms of interconnection or network expansion with these other networks, it could affect customers’ ability to upload or download data to Internet endpoints connected to those networks. AT&T does not guarantee that it will establish or expand the connections between its network and other networks, or that subscribers will be able to upload data to or download data from Internet end points connected to other networks at any particular speed.

In addition, like the other networks that make up the Internet, the AT&T network is a shared network, which means that the transmission links and other network resources used to provide broadband services are shared among AT&T’s subscribers, as well as among the various services offered by AT&T. Temporary congestion may occur when a large number of customers in a concentrated area access the network at the same time or when some customers consume a very large amount of network capacity during busy periods, such as at stadium events, during peak usage times, or during planned network maintenance.

AT&T invests billions of dollars annually to address potential congestion in its broadband networks. As is common in the industry, we use network management practices and other tools to manage network resources for the benefit of all of our broadband customers, especially during periods when network demand exceeds available network resources (also known as “contention-congestion" or "congestion”). As you would expect, our network management practices and our service offerings have evolved over time to benefit our customers and take advantage of the billions we have spent to expand and augment our networks.”

“The AT&T Copyright Alert Program was established to respond to alleged copyright infringement activities using peer-to-peer file sharing and attempts to educate customers about the importance of protecting copyright and lawful use of content available over the Internet. Under the program, content owners may notify AT&T of alleged copyright infringement based on the IP address of a user. AT&T then will attempt to identify a subscriber account based on that IP address and forward a copyright alert to the subscriber account, advising the account holder of the allegation and providing information about online copyright infringement. If a subscriber receives additional alerts, we may temporarily redirect the account holder’s broadband internet access service to a webpage where the account holder must review material on the importance of copyright and the lawful use of content available over the internet. Upon completion of this review, such redirection will be discontinued and the subscriber’s service will be restored to normal. After this stage, if a subscriber continues to receive additional alerts, then AT&T may take action consistent with Section 512(i) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which may result in termination of the subscriber/accountholder’s broadband internet access service. Account holders’ personally identifiable information is protected throughout this process — AT&T will not provide such information to content owners unless required to do so by court order. For more information about AT&T’s Copyright Alert Program, please go here.”