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Download Caps: How to avoid getting stung by additional fees – Broadband Genie Reports |
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Written by Genie Group
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
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As on-demand catch-up TV gains popularity more and more broadband customers signed up to a service with a download cap are falling victim to hefty out-of-bundle charges. Unless you’ve signed up to an ‘unlimited’ package then the broadband service you pay for then you would have almost certainly have agreed to a maximum amount of data that you would be using within a month. If you’re a casual user then this is quite easy to keep tabs on, especially if you’re only using your internet for web surfing and emailing. However, once you start downloading or streaming video content, your limit soon starts being eaten up. Unfortunately, at the moment if you’re using a service such as BBC iPlayer it’s very difficult to keep tabs on the amount of data you have used unless you specifically go out of your way to remain ‘in bundle’.
PlusNet has recently altered its Broadband Your Way service by increasing the download limits for customers using its products without adding any additional fees to the packages. This is directly in response to the increased popularity of online video on-demand services. For subscribers using the Broadband Your Way Option 2 package, the cap has increased from 8GB to 15GB per month. Broadband Your Way option 3 increases from 20GB to 30GB and Broadband Your Way Pro from 10GB to 15GB. Whilst it’s not certain whether other ISPs will follow suit, if you’re looking to switch your service it’s worth being aware of both the limitations of your service, and the fees that can be incurred if you go out of your bundle. Broadband Genie compares the UK’s broadband providers and conveniently shows you the price, length and speed of the product but also any download caps that are in place. There’s also plenty of freeware software out there that will help you to keep track of your download statistics so you know how much leeway you have left during your month’s subscription. ISP Monitor (http://ispmonitor.be/be-en/software/) has an invaluable piece of software that not only allows you to track your download statistics, but also text your internet speed and view real-time traffic monitoring. Ciaron Dunne from Broadband Genie gives this word of advice to broadband users who are worried about their download allowance: “If you’re unsure which package and download cap size is right for you don’t just take a wild guess. It’s worth measuring your activity and viewing your personal statistics for a month before you commit to a service to make sure you don’t opt for a cheaper option that will end up in you being charged high prices for out-of-bundle usage.” To view the latest broadband packages visit www.broadbandgenie.co.uk. Notes to editors Broadband Genie allows users to compare broadband online, and is part of Genie Group. Genie Group Ltd is a leading independent provider of internet comparison shopping services in the UK, and was set up in 2004 by Philip Wilkinson (co-founder of Kelkoo UK). Genie Group's unique selling point is 'the Genie', which makes personal recommendations to internet shoppers based on ground-breaking, intelligent technology. This gives Genie Group the ability to provide an enjoyable and satisfying internet shopping experience, and deliver an unmatched quality of sales leads to our affiliate merchants. Genie Group launched its flagship broadband comparison service Broadband Genie in January 2005. More information can be found at http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk . Please direct all media enquiries to Ciaron Dunne. Interviews with Philip Wilkinson can be arranged on request. |
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