Question 1

WHAT IS TRANSPARENCY?

Accepted Answer

Transparency, when used with respect to Internet access and the Restoring Internet Freedom proceeding under the FCC, is the light-touch framework of rules implemented to preserve Internet openness and freedom for consumers to access the content, services and devices of their choice.

Question 2

WHICH PARTS OF THE NETWORK DOES VARCOMM MANAGE?

Accepted Answer

VARCOMM manages only the portion of the network that begins on the outside of the customer’s home up to the point where the internet traffic is handed off to the public network.  VARCOMM does not control the equipment inside the customer premises such as routers, computers, application software, and inside wire, which can affect the performance of the broadband service.  VARCOMM also does not control the operation of specific websites that may slow down during busy periods or the overall performance of the public internet.

Question 3

WHY DOES VARCOMM MANAGE ITS NETWORK?

Accepted Answer

VARCOMM manages its network to provide the ultimate broadband Internet service to its customers.   VARCOMM acknowledges that bandwidth and network resources are not infinite and must be reasonably confined.  In order to bring you the best possible broadband Internet experience, VARCOMM enforces network management policies that limit network congestion and delay while ensuring that all Internet content is treated equally and is not unlawfully blocked or degraded.  VARCOMM’s network management practices are intended to protect the network, and VARCOMM’s customers, from network congestion, threats to the network, security attacks, viruses, and spam.  VARCOMM manages its network in a way that is transparent and nondiscriminatory.

Question 4

HOW DOES VARCOMM MANAGE ITS NETWORK?

Accepted Answer

VARCOMM has policies in place to ensure that customers are able to access the lawful Internet content of their choice, run the Internet applications of their choice and promote the continued development of the Internet. VARCOMM’s network management practices are nondiscriminatory and minimally intrusive.  VARCOMM will use one or more of the following industry standard techniques to manage its network.  This list is not exhaustive:

1. Monitoring the network to identify congestion, security breaches, malware or damage to the network;
2. Rerouting Internet traffic to relieve congestion;
3. Port Filtering;
4. Additions or upgrades to increase network capacity;
5. Enforcement of Acceptable Use Policy, Terms and Conditions of Service, and/or Service Agreements against customers abusing the network;
6. Enforcement of Usage Thresholds limiting the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded within stated time periods;
7. Using security protocols to ensure authentication of customers;
8. Providing resources to customer’s for identifying and reporting spam, viruses, firewall issues, and phishing schemes;
9. Filtering spam;
10. Preventing viruses from harming the network; and
11. Thwarting denial of service attacks

Network management practices are a necessity to guard against harmful threats to the network such as network congestion, security attacks, excessive spam, and viruses.  VARCOMM believes in full transparency and provides disclosures in its Network Transparency Statement (http://www.varcomm.net/regulatory)regarding these practices specifically: Blocking, Throttling Affiliated and Paid Prioritization, Congestion Management, Application-Specific Behavior, Device Attachment Rules, and Network Security. VARCOMM’s reasonable network management practices ensure that you will have the best possible broadband Internet experience.

Question 5

WILL VARCOMM'S NETWORK MANAGEMENT IMPACT MY ONLINE EXPERIENCE?

Accepted Answer

VARCOMM uses reasonable network management tools and practices that are minimally intrusive to its customers and are consistent with industry standards.  In accordance with VARCOMM’s Policies: Network Transparency Statement, Terms and Conditions for Service, Broadband Internet Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”), and the Internet Service Agreement, VARCOMM has provided standard descriptions of its Broadband Internet Access Service and Customers have agreed to comply with all current bandwidth, data storage, and other limitations on VARCOMM Broadband Internet Access Services.  Thus, VARCOMM’s tools and practices will generally impact only users that have violated the terms of VARCOMM Policies.

Users are also more likely to experience an impact on online experience during peak periods where congestion is prevalent.

Question 6

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I AM IN VIOLATION OF VARCOMM'S BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE POLICIES?

Accepted Answer

If you, the customer, are in violation of any of the foregoing, the impact to your online experience will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, any one or all of the following:

1. Notification by VARCOMM that you are in violation of the company’s Policies, terms and conditions or agreement and given a reasonable timeframe in which to take corrective action;
2. Removal or blockage of material that has resulted in the violation including, but not limited to, illegal content;
3. Suspension or delay of the delivery of email if deemed excessive;
4. Filtering of Internet transmissions; and 
5. Suspension or termination of your Broadband Internet service account;

Customers could also experience longer download or upload times or slower web surfing.

Question 7

WILL I BE SUSPENDED FROM THE NETWORK IF I USE CERTAIN APPLICATIONS?

Accepted Answer

Unless noted otherwise in VARCOMM’s Network Transparency Statement, VARCOMM does not discriminate between applications.  VARCOMM’s network management practices are primarily application-agnostic.  Thus, VARCOMM generally will not manage its network congestion or security protocols based on applications being used by its customers on the VARCOMM’s broadband Internet service.  VARCOMM’s network management is based on current network conditions and the aggregate amount of bandwidth being used by customers.

Question 8

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY ACCOUNT IS SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF A VIOLATION OF VARCOMM'S POLICIES?

Accepted Answer

Generally, you will have received a notification from VARCOMM that you have committed a violation and would have been given a period of time during which to take corrective action.  If, however, your violation persists, you will discover that you are unable to access the Internet through VARCOMM’s Broadband Internet service.  You will be unable to surf the web or conduct online activities.

Question 9

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY ACCOUNT IS SUSPENDED?

Accepted Answer

If your account is suspended, you should contact VARCOMM at 888.539.5234 and follow VARCOMM’s instructions for reinstating service.

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