Time Warner Cable is testing a method to meter Internet access for its customers in much the same way that home utility electricity is controlled. From the article: "Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) Cable plans to start testing on Thursday metered Internet access, charging consumers $1 for each gigabyte of content over their allotment. Reports of the test, which would start in Beaumont, Texas, sparked immediate criticism from tech bloggers who believe it is an abuse of a regional monopoly."

http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/policy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208401833