BT to limit broadband transfer?

[Friction]

I'm inclined to agree with Ginger on this.

We've had BT broadband at home from pretty much day one. Installed by an engineer etc etc.

I do find it strange however that it's only after all this time BT decide to cap usage limits? Further more why wait till 2005 to impose such limits?

If it was that much of a big deal to them why wouldn't they introduce them sooner?

I think it's possible that they may be inclined to think again once people start changing service providers and taking custom elsewhere.

If enough ISP's pop up offering better rates and perks then I am sure it will cause BT to rethink their strategy!

[JibberX]

They can't introduce it sooner because they can't, its a simple factor of capping bandwidth being a logistical nightmare, its not like running a tap, or turning on a light, there probably some poor bastard working on it right now...

[Valken]

The more available broadband becomes the more this is going to happen.

It's inconvenient for the average user but it needs to be put into place to put a stop to users who continually take the piss and download movies/games/music all day.

Not only does it affect other users connected to the exchange (esp with a 48:1 ratio being common for DSL) but it also saps a companies resources since they need to pay for connections to the backbone or whatever.

[Friction]

I have to say I haven't really thought about the lostics of it at all.

Just how will it effect the average user?

There are 4 of us at home who use the net, I'm probably the heaviest user browsing most and downloading stuff (Movie trailers, game movies etc) though even then I don't do that as much as I did. I do get the odd anime episode (Initial D ) through Bittorrent.

We will be having our connection upgraded to 1meg soon and so will have a 30gig monthly limit. I know it's almost impossible to ask but I will anyway -

Does anyone think that will be enough? The email said we currently were over our download limit but to be fair lately I've been using way more internet since becoming unemployed.

Is 30gig going to be enough for a family of 4 to survive on? I'd definately place us in the medium grade of net usage at least?

Cheers

Dave

[iamlost_]

according to the blurb on the website because i can't access the email you can only go on the net for 15 hours a week that's rediculous considering the idea they keep on putting forward of always being connected.

[wod]

i think you have miss read it with bt example you can surf the net for 15 hours a day

What can I do with 15GB a month? Back to top
You can do ALL of the following:

* surf the internet - 15 hours each day
* send 250 JPEG pictures by email every week
* receive 250 JPEG pictures by email every week
* download 250 music tracks every week
* download three hours of video clips every week
* listen to online radio for 15 hours every week
* send 3000 emails every week (without attachments)
* receive 3000 emails every week (without attachments)

[Jason]

Here is the blurb off the website

"8: Will BT start charging me if I use more than 15 / 30Gb per month? Back to top


These allowances have been set at levels that will not affect the vast majority of our customers.
BT will not start charging for usage above the allowances until early 2005. After this time, if you go over your monthly allowance you can decide if you want to buy more capacity, so you are in control of your bill. We will confirm prices for additional usage nearer this time but indicative prices for additional usage allowance top ups are currently ?2 per additional GB, although we plan to develop a range of options that could make this even less.


9: What will I be charged if I use more than 15 / 30Gb? Back to top


Remember most customers will not be affected by these limits. In the event that you use up your monthly allowance, you decide if you want to buy more capacity, so you have control of your bill. BT will only begin to apply these charges in early 2005 and will confirm prices for additional usage nearer this time. Indicative prices for additional usage allowance top ups are ?2 per additional GB, although BT plans to develop a range of options that could make this even less."

[Ginger Tosser]

There is some software to monitor download usage listed on this site

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/qanda.asp?faq=beginners#Q261

No idea if its any good but worth a try if you worried

[wod]

how long does it take for you to get an email about whether you can get 1mb as i've submitted a request but haven't heard anything back ?

[Rock]

Well, Netmeter is useful. As of posting, i've used 650mb of 15gb IN ONE DAY. I've set it to a month and a limit of 15gb, and it'll warn me when i use it all up, which by the way it's going, will be next week. BT are crazy. :P

Thinking about Pipex and that unlimited thing for ?23.99 a month. Are they a good ISP? Any additional costs in setting up with them, or can i just use the stuff i had from BT? And are there any other ISPs you suggest?

I have 2 computers connected to a BT router (probably the reason my data transfer's high, my parents use the net upstairs)
The fact that the router's BT shouldn't matter, if I moved to a different ISP?

[Concept]

I initially wanted to set up with Pipex, but their customer service was awful. After I ordered online, the status page didn't change at all for three weeks. I rang them a number of times, and they couldn't (or weren't arsed to) sort **** for **** out.

Alternatively, things couldn't have gone simplier for ordering Wanadoo 1MB. Although the incoming 30GB cap is making me extremely wary in doing so. I set up Netmeter late yesterday and it's proving very useful, especially keeping track of streams - I've already used 1.2GB already though.

[Moodmon]

I've got Pipex, but I ordered the no-wires package as I got myself a router. Only problem I had was my brother putting in the microfilters the wrong way round. You get the e-mail, the webspace and the other stuff.

Unfortunately, they seem to have trouble with altering the URL of my webpage, as I've asked them to. Other than that, it is great. In fact, I get lower pings than my friends who are on the faster blueyonder service.

[Spatial]

Pipex does have abysmal customer service ( only ever needed to contact them once mind you ). However I'm more than happy with the speeds and non capped service.

[DjSatansfury]

My Pipex is alright, couldnt comment on customer services, never had to bother with them

[nips]

I feel for you guys. I download about 2GB a month easily, and I'm on a 28K connection... A 1MB line, and you could easily do that.