Time Warner backs down on metered broadband pricing

After considerable consumer outrage, Time Warner Cable has stopped its plans to test a novel -- some might say evil -- broadband pricing structure that would charge customers based on their internet usage. The pricing structure, which strayed from traditional flat fees, could have had a serious impact on consumers with high internet usage, namely gamers (and bloggers, for that matter).

In a statement, Time Warner chief executive Glenn Britt said, "It is clear from the public response over the last two weeks that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about our plans." We're not exactly sure what that misunderstanding might be; the rates charged for each tier of Gigabyte usage were made quite clear.

Still, don't jump for joy just yet. While Time Warner has put a hold on the plans for now, it seems the company still plans to move on them eventually. According to Britt, plans for any additional tests will have to wait until more relevant parties are consulted. In the meantime, the company plans to provide customers with bandwidth measurement tools "as quickly as possible" so they can understand their own consumption levels.

So, grab all the internet you can, Time Warner customers, because the company is down, not out. Just like the dude from Die Hard, it'll be back.