[nl]

We have this in Australia.

Here at least the situation isn't too bad, because we have competitive resellers at the ISP level[1].

The ISPs compete on service, bandwidth, data limits and inclusions. For example, many (most?) ISPs arrange peering with video providers like Tivo so video streamed on their services don't count towards the data cap.

[1] There are laws to ensure that any ISP can install their equipment in the exchanges, or get access to the dominate telco's equipment at close-to-cost. Most of the time, these laws work, if slower than ideal.

[jay_kyburz]

It might also be interesting to some that in Australia, where we have always had metered plans and where people have come to accept it, natural competition has seen our first unlimited plans emerge. For $60 a month TPG offers uncapped internet and phone line bundle.

Even thought this may now be legal to do, Canadians may find that some ISPs still offer unlimited plans just to get ahead.

[lukevdp]

Yeah, I saw this thread and thought "Wow, internet isn't billed on metered usage everywhere else in the world?"