BT cracks down on 'broadband hogs'

niceguyrichy · Mar 27, 2006, 10:55 PM

BT is cracking down on heavy Internet users who are habitually breaking its monthly download limit, suggesting that they either pay more or shop elsewhere for their Internet access.

BT has agreements in place with users of its ADSL broadband service that limit them to up to 40GB of downloads per month. However, although the incumbent telecommunications company claims to be relaxed on occasional breaches of this limit--and has no automatic blocking in place once a limit is exceeded--it reports that some customers are taking liberties and regularly downloading up to 200GB each month.

"I think it's fair to characterize these people as broadband hogs. You would have to be downloading pretty much all day, everyday, to manage that level of downloading," a BT representative told Silicon.com.

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Read more/source: CNET News

The_Neon_Cowboy · Mar 27, 2006, 11:25 PM

thats a LIE: 200 GB VS time to downaload it at speed X
1.54M T1/1.5-DSL 1.5 Mbps :: Would take 296 Hours only 12 days!!!
(Most common download rate 1.5 mhbps or greater @ 640k download
rate wich would be considerd very slow it takes 29 days! Not to mention
I doubt you going to find sources able to send you data at these high rates...)

niceguyrichy · Mar 28, 2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

thats a LIE: 200 GB VS time to downaload it at speed X
1.54M T1/1.5-DSL 1.5 Mbps :: Would take 296 Hours only 12 days!!!
(Most common download rate 1.5 mhbps or greater @ 640k download
rate wich would be considerd very slow it takes 29 days! Not to mention
I doubt you going to find sources able to send you data at these high rates...)

yup

it's just another big uk company who've spied a way to make even more money

BWX · Mar 28, 2006, 12:30 AM

Maybe they should spend their billions on making a network able to keep up with the bandwidth they SELL.

Zardon · Mar 28, 2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

Maybe they should spend their billions on making a network able to keep up with the bandwidth they SELL.

Its BT, they only make £90 a second profit, why on earth should they offer the people giving them that UNLIMITED access.

I hate BT, I used them for 2 weeks then moved to NTL.....

niceguyrichy · Mar 28, 2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

I hate BT

ditto

they blocked me getting broadband for bloody months last time I moved, and wouldn't do anything to help me out

they're another bloated conglomerate who had too much market share for far too long, and forgot that the customer should matter above all else.

BWX · Mar 28, 2006, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Its BT, they only make £90 a second profit, why on earth should they offer the people giving them that UNLIMITED access.

I hate BT, I used them for 2 weeks then moved to NTL.....

I am mostly speaking about big ISP's in general.. they are starting to do that over here too. I have unlimited of course, and never use any where near what the limits are on any of the ISP's.. but still if they sell the bandwidth, they shouldn't cry when people use it.

calidan · Mar 28, 2006, 02:22 AM

What other companies have download caps? Are they all like that there? I don't know of anyone here in the States that do that?

niceguyrichy · Mar 28, 2006, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calidan

What other companies have download caps? Are they all like that there? I don't know of anyone here in the States that do that?

most of the basic broadband packages in the Uk here have a download limit, usually around 15 - 30GB a month.

not a problem so long as you know what you're signing up for.

unfortunately, some of them (BT) seem to think that they can sell you an unlimited package, but still expect you keep within what they consider a reasonable download limit

otherwise they'll charge you extra.

BWX · Mar 28, 2006, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calidan

What other companies have download caps? Are they all like that there? I don't know of anyone here in the States that do that?

Like almost all major broadband companies besides Adelphia (gone in a few months anyway swallowed by Time Warner and Crapcast) and I think one other one.. Most are not listed anywhere, but they start harassing you if you go over the limit.

EDIT-
http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all?cat=4

Start asking and they will tell you the limits..

Zelig · Mar 28, 2006, 03:13 AM

Hahah, I'm capless, I can download as much as I want at 5 KB/s.

niceguyrichy · Mar 28, 2006, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

Hahah, I'm capless

yeah, that's what BT customers think..

Tipstaff · Mar 28, 2006, 07:36 AM

In Toronto the 2 major players are Bell (DSL), and Rogers (Cable), and other DSL companies around town buy their service from Bell. Rogers is pretty much on their own over here. Both companies also have an even faster service for businesses.

Bell used to, at one time, have a 4GB up, 4 GB down limit, charging $8.00 for every GB you went over it.. and boy, did they ever go after people. After 6 months of doing that there was a huge outcry from their subscribers, some even ditching them for Rogers. Now, their 2 lower services (Basic Lite, and Basic) have a 2GB up/down cap, while the 2 higher ones (High Speed - 3Mbps, and High Speed Ultra - 5Mbps) are not. Since the removal of the cap Bell hasn't said word one about reinstituting it... thank God. Hopefully they'll stick to it.

Rogers, on the other hand, have the same 4 levels of service Bell does, with the exception that their ultra speed (Extreme) is 6Mbps instead of 5. However, they throttle speeds of any user that they "determine" is doing heavy downloading, sometimes to specific port ranges, or directed right at a specific user on their network. They will also go so far as to disconnect their users for a week as punishment if they deem that you are hosting files, doing P2P downloading, and such. I've seen them disconnect people for downloading, lock them out for a week, and when you talk to them (which I've done) their reply is, "Our network detected that a virus was being distributed from your IP. As a precausion we've disconnected your computer from our network until such time that you can repair/remove the said virus." Such bull$hit. I know this is bull because I service one of their "VIP" clients (who is essentially close friends to the president of the company, and as such are labeled as high level employees of the company). One time I contacted them to complain on behalf of my client, and they decided to give me the run around until I told them who the client was. Magically, and almost to the second their speed was back up to normal. The only customers this doesn't happen to are those that purchase their Business service.

Matth · Mar 28, 2006, 04:42 PM

There are two kinds of service, those that have caps they DO tell you about, and those with caps they don't tell you about until you break them.

Most services have a "fair use" clause, or some condition where they can specify your usage level is degrading performance.

Others have a "soft cap", where occasionallly going over what is considered "reasonable" is ignored.

SexPistoL · Mar 29, 2006, 12:27 AM

Sounds like another company about to sell a "Fair User Policy" just like tiscali, but don't tell you what they think is fair until your commited to them..........Can't download over 50mb between the hours of 1700 - 2300 everyday! Lucky we are all nocternal..........not

Zardon · Mar 29, 2006, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguyrichy

most of the basic broadband packages in the Uk here have a download limit, usually around 15 - 30GB a month.

not a problem so long as you know what you're signing up for.

unfortunately, some of them (BT) seem to think that they can sell you an unlimited package, but still expect you keep within what they consider a reasonable download limit

otherwise they'll charge you extra.

My package is meant to be 75 gig a month, so for the last three months ive downloaded in excess of 200 gig on my 10mbit line hoping I would get a phone call as I REALLY want to discuss this with a senior staff member in NTL, but it has not happened. Probably because im not in a high bandwidth area but in a nice suburban district in ireland. From what ive heard NTL are only enforcing the caps in areas with a lot of high bandwidth users.

I had a discussion last year with an NTL network manager and they had originally planned to offer a "high bandwidth" user scheme, but it never came into play for some reason. What is even more amusing is they ignored my emails last year from my ntlworld home address but when I emailed from the driverheaven address I was answered in 2 hours by a manager.

LeanWolf · Mar 29, 2006, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

What is even more amusing is they ignored my emails last year from my ntlworld home address but when I emailed from the driverheaven address I was answered in 2 hours by a manager.

That's the difference between a customer and a prospective customer.

EcPercy · Mar 29, 2006, 02:48 PM

We only have 2 major players where I am located. Cox Communications and Verizon. I hate Verizon so naturally I have Cox. Here are the caps that cox has in place:

Preferred Package (4MB/2MB)
40GB Downstream / 10GB Upstream

Premier Package (15MB/2MB)
60Gb Downstream / 15GB Upstream

I have the preferred package and I don't download or upload that much.

Tipstaff · Mar 30, 2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcPercy

Premier Package (15MB/2MB)
60Gb Downstream / 15GB Upstream

15MB down!?!? Good God I'm in the wrong country.

Zardon · Mar 30, 2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

15MB down!?!? Good God I'm in the wrong country.

sounds good but that 60 gig cap is really low for that kind of pipe.

Zardon · Mar 30, 2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanWolf

That's the difference between a customer and a prospective customer.

Well as i was quoting my account via both emails I think it was more the fact they didnt want bad press and heard of the site, ive tested this quite a few times and the DH email always gets replies really quick.

niceguyrichy · Mar 30, 2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

ive tested this quite a few times and the DH email always gets replies really quick.

cool
wanna email savastore and ask them where the hell my mobo is

You're right though, at that speed 60G's doesn't sound like very much.

yb2k6 · Jun 9, 2006, 04:35 PM

check this out guys: http://www.hosting-buyers-guide.com/gl/df/T1.php
T1 lines can be leased by businesses that required a dedicated Net connection of with higher reliability than a DSL and faster than an ISDN.

Cba - Andy · Jun 10, 2006, 01:25 AM

Am with telewest and am on top package £35 a month and its as unlimited as you can get i regualry download over 200gb a month and that is just me, i have shared line and my dad downloads just as much as me 10meg is sweet but want faster

Tipstaff · Jun 10, 2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yb2k6

check this out guys: http://www.hosting-buyers-guide.com/gl/df/T1.php
T1 lines can be leased by businesses that required a dedicated Net connection of with higher reliability than a DSL and faster than an ISDN.

A few problems: T1 lines can have a waiting period for installation of up to 6 months or more depending on the area you reside in, you need to be a registered business in order to receive a T1 line with most T1 suppliers, the real use of a T1 line is not just Internet access, but phone access as well (hence the multiple lines), and the cost of a T1 line... well.. I won't got there.... ok I will. In Toronto a T1 line can run you anywhere from $500 - $1200 per month. Thanks, but no thanks.

Mar 27, 2006, 11:25 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	thats a LIE: 200 GB VS time to downaload it at speed X 1.54M T1/1.5-DSL 1.5 Mbps :: Would take 296 Hours only 12 days!!! (Most common download rate 1.5 mhbps or greater @ 640k download rate wich would be considerd very slow it takes 29 days! Not to mention I doubt you going to find sources able to send you data at these high rates...) __________________

Mar 28, 2006, 12:30 AM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,665 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Maybe they should spend their billions on making a network able to keep up with the bandwidth they SELL. __________________

Mar 28, 2006, 02:22 AM	#8
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	What other companies have download caps? Are they all like that there? I don't know of anyone here in the States that do that? __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Mar 28, 2006, 03:13 AM	#11
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 69 System Specs	Hahah, I'm capless, I can download as much as I want at 5 KB/s. __________________ --

Mar 28, 2006, 07:36 AM	#13
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	In Toronto the 2 major players are Bell (DSL), and Rogers (Cable), and other DSL companies around town buy their service from Bell. Rogers is pretty much on their own over here. Both companies also have an even faster service for businesses. Bell used to, at one time, have a 4GB up, 4 GB down limit, charging $8.00 for every GB you went over it.. and boy, did they ever go after people. After 6 months of doing that there was a huge outcry from their subscribers, some even ditching them for Rogers. Now, their 2 lower services (Basic Lite, and Basic) have a 2GB up/down cap, while the 2 higher ones (High Speed - 3Mbps, and High Speed Ultra - 5Mbps) are not. Since the removal of the cap Bell hasn't said word one about reinstituting it... thank God. Hopefully they'll stick to it. Rogers, on the other hand, have the same 4 levels of service Bell does, with the exception that their ultra speed (Extreme) is 6Mbps instead of 5. However, they throttle speeds of any user that they "determine" is doing heavy downloading, sometimes to specific port ranges, or directed right at a specific user on their network. They will also go so far as to disconnect their users for a week as punishment if they deem that you are hosting files, doing P2P downloading, and such. I've seen them disconnect people for downloading, lock them out for a week, and when you talk to them (which I've done) their reply is, "Our network detected that a virus was being distributed from your IP. As a precausion we've disconnected your computer from our network until such time that you can repair/remove the said virus." Such bull$hit. I know this is bull because I service one of their "VIP" clients (who is essentially close friends to the president of the company, and as such are labeled as high level employees of the company). One time I contacted them to complain on behalf of my client, and they decided to give me the run around until I told them who the client was. Magically, and almost to the second their speed was back up to normal. The only customers this doesn't happen to are those that purchase their Business service. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 28, 2006, 04:42 PM	#14
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,410 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	There are two kinds of service, those that have caps they DO tell you about, and those with caps they don't tell you about until you break them. Most services have a "fair use" clause, or some condition where they can specify your usage level is degrading performance. Others have a "soft cap", where occasionallly going over what is considered "reasonable" is ignored. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Mar 29, 2006, 12:27 AM	#15
SexPistoL DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 604 Rep Power: 0	Sounds like another company about to sell a "Fair User Policy" just like tiscali, but don't tell you what they think is fair until your commited to them..........Can't download over 50mb between the hours of 1700 - 2300 everyday! Lucky we are all nocternal..........not __________________

Mar 29, 2006, 02:48 PM	#18
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 64	We only have 2 major players where I am located. Cox Communications and Verizon. I hate Verizon so naturally I have Cox. Here are the caps that cox has in place: Preferred Package (4MB/2MB) 40GB Downstream / 10GB Upstream Premier Package (15MB/2MB) 60Gb Downstream / 15GB Upstream I have the preferred package and I don't download or upload that much.

Jun 9, 2006, 04:35 PM	#23
yb2k6 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	check this out guys: http://www.hosting-buyers-guide.com/gl/df/T1.php T1 lines can be leased by businesses that required a dedicated Net connection of with higher reliability than a DSL and faster than an ISDN. Last edited by yb2k6; Jun 9, 2006 at 04:41 PM.

Jun 10, 2006, 01:25 AM	#24
Cba - Andy Got milk? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Uk - Scotland Posts: 385 Rep Power: 0	Am with telewest and am on top package £35 a month and its as unlimited as you can get i regualry download over 200gb a month and that is just me, i have shared line and my dad downloads just as much as me 10meg is sweet but want faster __________________