Cable modem technology has the capability to achieve speeds in excess of one Mbit per second, but modem cables are set to run at a lesser value. It is naturally reduced to half of this number for downloads and around an 8 of this number for upload. ISPs cap modems to make sure that the bandwidth is evenly distributed among users and the upload cap in exacting is designed to discouraged users in creating big servers.

Cable modems service contributor is fighting back with MIC, MAC/IP Checking and DOCSIS 1.1. MIC. Message Integrity Checking is run by confirm the configure file in the modem by robust encryption techniques using a shared secret. MAC/IP Checking is run through the service aggregation router that checks the matching IP addresses with MAC addresses that were assigned to the end user computer during DHCP or statically. This would stop the IP Accumulation attack way of uncapping. If the BPI+ of DOCSIS 1.1 is enabled, the false MAC way of uncapping would be consequently banned. Most MSOs have not yet upgraded to v1.1, but that is expected to happen over time. Problems with theft of service may influence the decision to upgrade.