AT&T officials released a statement explaining that the uneven use of the Internet network bandwidth will surely lead in the near future to a series of supplementary fees.

The inevitable change is expected sometime soon, because many consider the current situation as unfair. At this point there is a significant number of Internet users surfing the Web for their everyday news, for checking their e-mails and for on-line shopping while others occupy the bandwidth for many hours downloading movies, music, games and programs.

Michael Coe, speaking on behalf of AT&T, explained that currently, only 5 percent of the company’s customers occupy 46 percent of the overall bandwidth used every month and it would be more appropriate if those users were charged extra, especially since the severe disproportionate use is affecting the quality of services received by the company’s subscribers. Such a measure is expected to ensure an equitable access for all users.

The lack of balance led to an initiative in Beaumont, Texas, where Time Warner Cable decided to try out such a supplementary fee for all users exceeding a certain amount of monthly data. The limits installed by Time Warner are of 5, 20 and 40 Giga Bytes, with prices ranging from $30 to $50. Every additional Giga Byte used adds another dollar to the month’s bill.

In a similar effort, Comcast announced its plans to develop a strategy which will help the company in handling its Internet traffic. The basic procedure involves the diminishment of the Internet connection’s speed during the day’s peak moments, for all of the heavy users registered with the company.

Many believe that it is only a matter of time before all the Internet Service Providers (ISP)will start focusing on similar strategies, especially if Time Warner’s initiative will turn out to be a success.