A survey has found that close to one million UK internet users have exceeded or come close to exceeding their broadband usage limit. Consumer group uSwitch found that usage caps imposed by various providers were confusing consumers and leading to fines or, in extreme cases, disconnection.
With so many of us now relying on the internet and high speed broadband connections it might come as alarming news that the research has found 80% of broadband customers did not know the limit in their contract or wrongly believed they had unlimited access.
What is even more surprising for consumers is news that 56% of providers who advertised their service as unlimited were, in fact, imposing usage caps and in some cases were even prepared to cut off a person’s connection altogether if they were using the service excessively.
Providers argue that the caps and penalties are necessary if they are to continue to provide a fair and satisfactory service but the news is sure to alarm people who do use the internet regularly. It could also be claimed that under such circumstances the providers are not being transparent and are advertising their packages falsely.
The success of internet based services like iTunes, iPlayer and YouTube has meant that it is easy to use up several gigabytes per month without thinking you are using a service excessively. With this trend set to continue in the coming months and years the question of what constitutes fair usage is not going to go away.
The advice right now has to be read the small print before making any commitment and make sure that your idea of unlimited is the same as your chosen provider.
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