Unlimited Broadband

Facts you should know about Unlimited Broadband

For users of the internet who download huge amounts of data, watch streaming high definition videos and surf for most of the day, Unlimited Broadband is a definite benefit. Before you pick one, it is necessary to know certain facts about unlimited broadband.

Fair Usage Policy

The fair usage policy, which is simply an attempt to keep cyber traffic under control,  is a standard across the industry. Based on surveys and studies, it is said that broadband connections for home have a 50:1 contention ratio. Therefore, even if few people in a network are downloading large amounts of data, then the speed for the remaining members in the group is affected. To keep the usage within a level that is acceptable and hence the costs nominal to everyone, all ISPs tend to have a fair usage policy. As a result, access speeds may be limited at specific times of the day when peak traffic is expected or download capping might occur when the service is used excessively.

Typical Penalties

If you are downloading excessively, you might be encouraged to cut down your internet usage. Though not immediately, your provider will probably get in touch with you after a month or two.  Depending on the terms of your ISP, either one of these can happen -

• Your connection can be throttled, therefore limiting the amount that can be downloaded
• Usage restriction during peak times
• Charges for your excess usage
• Access restrictions to peer-to-peer sites.

To the utmost, the ISP might terminate your contract, thus cutting off your internet permanently until you get a new connection.

Know how to avoid Penalties

This is simply about when you use it and not how you use it. If you are a truly heavy downloader or an ardent online gamer,  you can try downloading when minimum traffic is expected in your network. You can also keep track of your monthly downloads. This way you can still download as much as you require, without causing problems for the others.

If you feel that you have been penalised incorrectly and if you are unable to settle this with your ISP, you can get in touch with Otelo, the telecommunication industry’s watchdog.

Who offer Unlimited Broadband
Virgin Media, Orange, O2, TalkTalk, Sky, Be Broadband, BT and a lot other providers offer unlimited broadband deals and packages.

Virgin Media has been the first provider to employ fibre optic cables to deliver broadband to your home. Fibre optic cables provide broadband services with wider capacity and improved clarity at extremely fast speeds compared to the usual copper cables. Fibre optic cabled areas can therefore better enjoy the benefits of unlimited broadband. Virgin Media's packages are subject to the fair usage policy.

TalkTalk has one of the best selling unlimited broadband deals, with speeds of up 24 Mb. This 18 month contract includes a free wireless 'N' router, unlimited anytime calls to landlines with unlimited download limits.

It is surveyed that Sky Unlimited Broadband are the only providers who offer truly unlimited broadband without the restrictions of the fair usage policy with the best unlimited broadband packages in the market. They have different rules though. If you are found hosting a website or distributing large amounts of spam, Sky may permanently restrict your broadband access.

O2 Broadband offer good unlimited broadband deals like the premium broadband package which is a 12 month contract, subject to the acceptable use policy. O2 suggest that this deal is ideal for users who are  expecting faster speeds for sending emails, uploading photos, watching video clips and regular internet browsing.

BT Unlimited Broadband offer three plans, BT Business Total Broadband Option 2, BT Business Broadband Total Option 3 and BT Total Option 3, with additional BT Vision and BT Hub Phone features.