In a step in the direction of consumption-based Internet billing, Time Warner Cable Thursday announced a new pricing policy being tested in some parts of US. A trial of the tiered pricing that the company intends initiating in a few states this year, the lately-released offer comprises a $150 per month unlimited Internet service.

Time Warner's Chief Operating Officer Landel Hobbs, who announced the new pricing, said that the company has gone in for what it considers the "fairest" approach, based on the "pay-what-you-use" policy.

Elaborating the additional payment for additional usage approach, Hobbs said that the new pricing alternatives will include $15 a month for 1 GB data download. However, those who need more data download than the stipulated capacity will have to pay $2 per GB per month.

In addition, users will also have to pay extra for availing the options for 10 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, and 60 GB per month, with the excess charge of $1 per GB per month. Furthermore, by paying $75 per month, users can get 100 GB a month at 10 MB per second download speeds of and 1 MB upload speeds.

Saying that changes to the proposed trial pricing are possible, Hobbs added: "The Internet is dynamic and continually evolves, so our plans will evolve as well and aren't set in stone."