My proposal is to share the details of the data that was used. I'm an extremley low data user, but yet I max out every month without any clue why. I've called to ask why and get poor responses from excede. This past month I maxed out in less than 1 week and I was on vacation, out of town for most of that week. Please think about letting your customers know exactly when their data was used and what it was used for so they can understand if it's truly them or a very shaddy supplier (excede) faking their usage to get more money. My electrical utility has up to the second data, if only my internet provider could do the same. I wish I could change providers, but unforutnately i'm in the country and the monoply of excede is my only option. I would change internet providers in a second if a different option was available.
Posted 2 years ago
Bev, Champion
Like you Darrell I'm pretty much stuck with Exede. My story quickly said. On January 7th I moved to a new home next door to my old one. I pay for Easy Care so the move was free. The installer simply extended the length of the cable from the original dish and plumbed it into the new home. The plan I had previous to the move allotted my family 20 Gigs. After switching the service over to the new address the only plan that approached what I was getting previously was 18 Gigs. No problem. This should work out just fine. In the several years at the old address I can only recall one or two times that we bumped into the 20 Gig limit. Now it needs to be said that there were four of us in the house at that time. In the new home there are two of us....... Long story short. We run out of data after an average of two weeks. That's my wife and I only and almost never watch videos, listen to music or take advantage of any of the higher bandwidth options. I don't understand.
I too live out in a country area where we do not have much choice. But the excuse of living in the country should not matter. It is said that as long as you have access to the clear blue sky you get good service. But for some reason they use that excuse.
The installer simply extended the length of the cable from the original dish and plumbed it into the new home.This raises so many questions that I don;t even know where to begin...
But did he properly isolate the grounding systems of the two dwellings to ensure there's no ground loop???
I can't believe that approach is up to Exede's "moving" standards.
xode0000, Champion
But did he properly isolate the grounding systems of the two dwellings to ensure there's no ground loop???Then, along comes a thunderstorm with lightning that will really mess things up...
Long story short, did either of you upgrade to windows 10 by chance?
xode0000, Champion
That would definitely burn data. Other culprits are bloated antivirus programs like AVG.
I know I got burned by Windows 10 until I set the updates to Metered.
xode0000, Champion
My understanding is that you turn the updates off completely if you like, by turning off the update service. Simply go to the start menu run box, type in services.msc, select the Windows automatic update service, set its startup mode to manual, reboot your computer and then never start that service. This works just fine for Windows XP and Windows 7, but I haven't personally tried it with Windows 10 because I haven't been forced to use that mess.
If you do turn off automatic updates, use can still update manually as you want to by downloading those updates from the online Microsoft updates catalog site.
If you do turn off automatic updates, use can still update manually as you want to by downloading those updates from the online Microsoft updates catalog site.
I just occasionally go to Start and type Windows updates. If there is something there I am interested in, I wait till my free zone to download it. Otherwise my understanding of the "Metered" selection is that they will only download extremely important updates.
I keep hearing the windows 10 update excuse and I use windows 8.
You have to turn off automatic updates with Windows 8, 7 and prior versions also.
The applicable setting under those prior versions is either "Never check for updates" or "Check for updates but let me choose when to download and install them" and then manually take over when updates are downloaded.
With the other two options under the prior versions, updates will be downloaded whenever WIndows decides it can and wants to.
The time enabled when using automatic updates is the time that updates will be installed (it doesn't impact when they are downloaded and the wording on that option is very specific "Install new updates".
Windows 10 doesn't give you any real flexibility to control when downloads occur without jumping through some technical hacks, although the Pro version does provide for some additional flexibility.
The applicable setting under those prior versions is either "Never check for updates" or "Check for updates but let me choose when to download and install them" and then manually take over when updates are downloaded.
With the other two options under the prior versions, updates will be downloaded whenever WIndows decides it can and wants to.
The time enabled when using automatic updates is the time that updates will be installed (it doesn't impact when they are downloaded and the wording on that option is very specific "Install new updates".
Windows 10 doesn't give you any real flexibility to control when downloads occur without jumping through some technical hacks, although the Pro version does provide for some additional flexibility.
(Edited)
*on topic
It is my opinion that exede is not hiding data usage, but rather there are errors in their tracking at this time.
*off topic - but worth looking at.
it is a bummer, but with win 10 you can only set the wifi meter to interrupt updates the line [wired] however is something that has no clear way of stopping win 10 from downloading.
So I went back to win7 pro as you can actually control it yourself and stop all updates until you are ready for them.on win 7 and xp the updates can also be set to the time of day you like them to pour down upon your machine. and yes win7 I can set my fonts and other menus options without the OS changing it with unwanted/un needed updates.
I personally only update win defender at home - the other browser i use and antivirus updates I get from off site locations on the unlimited networks I frequent.
and never listen to music or watch any video at home. [this saves some of my usage at home.
However the exede usage has not been accurate these last few months.
their numbers have not match those of my computer.
recently
I started the router traffic meter [thanks to Lab] and it shows a different usage than exede.
last year my computer was in agreement with their numbers.
but this year they are different.
It is my opinion that exede is not hiding data usage, but rather there are errors in their tracking at this time.
*off topic - but worth looking at.
it is a bummer, but with win 10 you can only set the wifi meter to interrupt updates the line [wired] however is something that has no clear way of stopping win 10 from downloading.
So I went back to win7 pro as you can actually control it yourself and stop all updates until you are ready for them.on win 7 and xp the updates can also be set to the time of day you like them to pour down upon your machine. and yes win7 I can set my fonts and other menus options without the OS changing it with unwanted/un needed updates.
I personally only update win defender at home - the other browser i use and antivirus updates I get from off site locations on the unlimited networks I frequent.
and never listen to music or watch any video at home. [this saves some of my usage at home.
However the exede usage has not been accurate these last few months.
their numbers have not match those of my computer.
recently
I started the router traffic meter [thanks to Lab] and it shows a different usage than exede.
last year my computer was in agreement with their numbers.
but this year they are different.
(Edited)
Which router? Brand and model number? Do you also have the Exede Wifi modem or just the original modem without any router functionality?
FWIW, Windows 8, 7 and earlier versions do not have the built-in ability to specify when downloads will occur (although there are some ways to control it programmatically if familiar with the API) - the setting I think you're referring to simply controls when updates will be installed and not downloaded. They'll be downloaded at Windows discretion - many have been burned by that setting thinking it controls when downloads occur.
Under those earlier operating systems you need to disable updates altogether or specify that you want to be notified when they're available before downloading.
FWIW, Windows 8, 7 and earlier versions do not have the built-in ability to specify when downloads will occur (although there are some ways to control it programmatically if familiar with the API) - the setting I think you're referring to simply controls when updates will be installed and not downloaded. They'll be downloaded at Windows discretion - many have been burned by that setting thinking it controls when downloads occur.
Under those earlier operating systems you need to disable updates altogether or specify that you want to be notified when they're available before downloading.
(Edited)
Bev, Champion
The first two things I would investigate in that case are my wifi security/any guest access that might be enables and, IOT/other devices that might be connecting that I didn't notice, or occasions when I may have forgotten to turn off wifi on a device at some point.
I'd also keep a log of every time I did connect another device that would not show usage on the computer itself. (Assuming my router didn't track ALL network usage and, I didn't have a monitoring tool on every possible device I may connect.)
Of course, I wouldn't rule out Exede/Viasat being wrong 100% but, if that is the case, I would want solid proof over say 30 to 60 days before I decided Viasat's usage tracking for my account had a problem.
I'd also keep a log of every time I did connect another device that would not show usage on the computer itself. (Assuming my router didn't track ALL network usage and, I didn't have a monitoring tool on every possible device I may connect.)
Of course, I wouldn't rule out Exede/Viasat being wrong 100% but, if that is the case, I would want solid proof over say 30 to 60 days before I decided Viasat's usage tracking for my account had a problem.
Gwalk900, Champion
Les,
"I started the router traffic meter [thanks to Lab] and it shows a different usage than exede."
By how much?
Are all connection paths included in the router usage report?
Keep in mind that the usage for a given hour can start at the top of that hour or at the end of an hour period.
Have you carefully gone through all Router "internal services"? DNS filtering, Parental Controls, Remote Access and other cloud based functions can use considerable data if enabled ... these would be "internal Router Services" not device or computer based.
One other area that would use excess data is a problem with your dish aim or other hardware such as a TRIA issue that results in a large number of re-transmission errors.
Other possibilities could include power loss - even my router doesn't maintain history in that event. Restarts at zero with a power loss - I wish it would reset the Exede meter to zero in that case also ;)
power loss - grr.
my router is netgear wnr/1000 about 2 years old, so they no longer offer any firmware updates. :(
my next router will likely be asus
yes I just turn off auto update. that works on win 7 pro.
I can just update the win defender specifically.
that is a nice feature of the older OS.
in theory the OS offers a maintenance scheduled to look for updates and download them, But I have never tried that myself.
[I like auto updates off.]
sadly win 10 has no off option that is known.
yup it would be nice if the usage rest when you power off. :)
that is a bit too much to wish for. but we can wish. ;)
my router is netgear wnr/1000 about 2 years old, so they no longer offer any firmware updates. :(
my next router will likely be asus
yes I just turn off auto update. that works on win 7 pro.
I can just update the win defender specifically.
that is a nice feature of the older OS.
in theory the OS offers a maintenance scheduled to look for updates and download them, But I have never tried that myself.
[I like auto updates off.]
sadly win 10 has no off option that is known.
yup it would be nice if the usage rest when you power off. :)
that is a bit too much to wish for. but we can wish. ;)
my router traffic meter the last few weeks is close to exedes record within 200 mbs. and to me that is acceptable. It is a nice idea to track all traffic through the router that every device is connected to.
And I hope I never have to use a propitiatory [isp provided] router/WiFi
having a choice to which equipment I have is a good thing.
it is bad enough that we are stuck using their modem.
And I hope I never have to use a propitiatory [isp provided] router/WiFi
having a choice to which equipment I have is a good thing.
it is bad enough that we are stuck using their modem.
Brad, Viasat Employee
Hi Darrell
We are working on releasing a new meter with data usage breakdowns to give our customers a better idea of how their usage is being used. Some customers were able to get a taste of this new meter by way of our eSVT trial that is now ending. We expect to release this breakdown VERY soon. Stay Tuned!
We are working on releasing a new meter with data usage breakdowns to give our customers a better idea of how their usage is being used. Some customers were able to get a taste of this new meter by way of our eSVT trial that is now ending. We expect to release this breakdown VERY soon. Stay Tuned!
Bev, Champion
That's great news Brad. I'm anxious to see the new usage monitoring tool y'all are working on for us. (even if eSVT is being wonky for me at the moment - it isn't agreeing on my end with what it's showing on your end.) Persnickety thing anyway. :P
xode0000, Champion
We are working on releasing a new meter with data usage breakdowns to give our customers a better idea of how their usage is being used....I would like that new meter to be able to be accessed in the same manner that eSVT is, namely from a browser that can run on a desktop PC, and that it also will come with all of the other features that eSVT has, including the ability for me to see what my home network looks like from the current eSVT point of view.
Why can I not see my data usage on my account.? I have not been able to see it for days. It says " Sorry info not available. Try later." Well later never happens.
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion
You can see your usage in the SMS text app, MyeSVT, and the Messenger App. The data display in the Dashboard has been broken for a week or so now.
Mine has been working ??
Brad, Viasat Employee
Judy
Dave Eicher
Old Labs (VS1-329-L12FZ)
Many of us, myself included, prefer that our ISPs not track our usage to the degree needed to actually resolve data usage complaints - it's a privacy thing and generally yields a lively debate over who is actually responsible for monitoring data usage. Your detailed internet usage habits have real value to those who would sell that information to the highest bidder - that includes even the simple metadata Exede has access to.
With reputable third party monitoring tools installed in your local network environment, you at least have the flexibility to keep that information private and not share it with anybody (except those you want to share it with).
P.S. The real problem with the third-party route is that ViaSat is under no obligation to accept those results as evidence of inaccurate data usage counting - that's a tougher nut to crack without sacrificing privacy.
Jesse Barnhart
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion