Which of the following issues cannot be addressed effectively with flat rate pricing of network bandwidth?

Flat rate pricing for network bandwidth simplifies costs for users by charging a fixed amount, regardless of their actual usage patterns. However, this pricing model has limitations, particularly in scenarios where bandwidth demand fluctuates significantly throughout the day.

In the context of addressing issues with flat rate pricing, let’s explore why the selected answer is notable. A key issue arises when some users are consuming a disproportionate amount of bandwidth during peak times. With a flat rate pricing model, heavy users can exert pressure on the network, causing congestion that affects overall service quality for all users. Since the charging structure does not incentivize users to manage their bandwidth usage, these heavy users may continue their behavior without any consequence or cost, exacerbating the problem during peak periods.

Unlike the issues of peak versus off-peak hour demand or poorly designed applications—which could potentially be managed through other pricing structures or quality of service management—disproportionate bandwidth consumption by certain users during peak times cannot be effectively mitigated under a flat rate system. This is because the flat rate does not adapt to the usage patterns, allowing high-demand users to continue overwhelming the network without incurring additional costs or penalties.

In summary, the inability of flat rate pricing to respond to disproportionately high consumption during peak times makes