Definition
Burst traffic is spiky usage where demand surges above the baseline for short periods.
Why it matters
Bursty usage can drive cost spikes and bill shock. Pricing models need to protect margin during peak periods.
Pricing implications
Use tiered pricing, minimum fees, or rate limits to reduce risk. If burst costs are high, overage rates should reflect peak cost, not just average cost.
Measurement tips
Track p90 and p99 usage to understand how often spikes occur.
Checklist
- Measure peak vs average usage (p90, p99).
- Include burst costs in unit pricing.
- Use alerts before customers hit peak thresholds.
- Consider usage caps or minimums for heavy users.
- Model burst scenarios in pricing tests.
- Align infrastructure scaling costs with pricing.
- Document burst assumptions in pricing reviews.
- Avoid basing pricing solely on average usage.