Excessively High Broadband Usage with BT

Smiling_Crow · 29 May 2012 at 9:45PM

Hi all - wanted to know if anyone else on here has an issue with suspiciously high Broadband usage according to the BT monitor. Right now, I really regret switching to BT from TalkTalk. Had no problems with TT at all, though sometimes streaming tv could be a bit slow on occasion. That was my only issue though.

Initially I joined with the 10 GB option, and apparently managed to use 7.5 GB in three days... so I went from the 10GB plan to the 40 GB one.. and the usage is still ridiculously high - according to BT. Tied myself into an 18 month contract in the process too

I had a 40 GB usage plan with TalkTalk and never went over, didn't even need to monitor it because it was a complete non-issue. After two weeks with BT and NO CHANGE in usage habits whatsoever (except for being gone for two days so usage should be less if anything) I've apparently used over 33 GB of my allowance. Me? Suspicious? YES! Have complained via email twice, no reply. Phoned the nice customer service peoples (re tech faults with broadband) and talked in length - will need to phone billing it seems. They have twice asked if someone might be hacking into my wi-fi account... I think not... that's just too big of a coincidence - change to BT and get hacked the same day.

I KNOW this is a BT issue, the ONLY thing that has changed is that I've joined them and am using their hub... on their forums there are numerous complaints from people experiencing the same excessively (suspiciously) high usage according to BT.

I'm hoping this will either be finally resolved, or I can break the contract on the grounds of utterly unsatisfactory and faulty service. If anyone else had this problem, I'd be very interested to hear about it, and how/if the issue was resolved.

Also, if anyone has any tips on how to deal with an unhelpful corporate giant - especially legal ways to leave them, I'd be jolly grateful.
Thanks!

iniltous · 29 May 2012 at 10:06PM

Your hub has a running total of your usage..
http://192.168.1.254/
A rough and ready estimate would be to switch off your router, this will reset the count to zero, then check again 24 hrs later, if the 24 hrs are typical of your normal usage, then x 30 will give an idea of your monthly usage ( data thats actually passing through your router) dont forget to count the download and upload figure
It could be genuine usage if you watch TV on line, perhaps although TT had a quoted usage limit, they didnt enforce it,
I have BT but unlimited usage and dont watch a lot of TV on line, a few TV programmes/month..but various devices connect, PC's, PS3, Ipad, Iphones etc..and use over 40Gb/month, so I can see how ordinary usage could easily exceed 40Gb's

Smiling_Crow · 29 May 2012 at 10:47PM

I will certainly look into doing that. Reading the many complaints by other users though (on the BT Forums and just found another thread on here) it seems to be a running and glaring issue with BT. They really do seem to be operating some kind of scam... even if it's just to force customers to upgrade to unlimited usage!

chanz4 · 30 May 2012 at 6:43AM

Op what else is connected to the wifi, your iphone? ps3 or xbox? ... do you watch youtube

Smiling_Crow · 30 May 2012 at 8:39AM

Only two computers and an iPhone... but the point is that I've been with TalkTalk for a long time, and on their 40 GB package for almost a year with no issues - and I have talked to TT - they DO enforce the limit. The ONLY thing that has changed in all that time, is signing up to BT... so it's down to them, I believe...

duchy · 30 May 2012 at 8:50AM

It really depends what you are doing on-line-as the previous poster said anything like youtube, watching TV on line (basic rule -if it moves it eats bandwidth). It may simply be TT weren't as hot at enforcing usage limits as BT are (I work for a large IP and I know they didn't bother with it unduely for quite a while -and when they did get around to it there were a lot of people affected).

BT_company_representative · 30 May 2012 at 4:27PM

Hi Smiling Crow

I have just seen your post and would like to look into this for you, if you checkout my profile section you will be able to find my contact details.

Regards David

macman · 30 May 2012 at 9:30PM

Is your wireless security secure?. What encryption are you using? Could someone have hacked your password? Have you tried changing it?

dickyfisk · 1 June 2012 at 7:04PM

BT_company_representative wrote: »

Hi Smiling Crow

I have just seen your post and would like to look into this for you, if you checkout my profile section you will be able to find my contact details.

Regards David

Can I send you my details as well...?

I have the same problem... nothing has changed in my use of the internet but my bill shows an increase of use that is inexplicable and BT now expect me to pay a small fortune.

I have a 40gb allowance...

February +5gb, March +30gb, April +50gb, May +60gb for a grand total of £145!!

I don't use P2P, Skype, download... so what is going on?:mad:

home_alone · 1 June 2012 at 8:04PM

I have been with BT for about 19 months and was quite pleased with it I have anytime calls, line rental and 10gb broadband. I am not a heavy user and so far my usage has been around the 2/3gb a month but have received e mails in the last 2 months stating that my usage was 7gb both urging me to upgrade I now am getting BT e mails giving details of other packages. The strange thing is I have networx which gives me usage figures nowhere near those of BT, is BT trying to scare me into taking on an upgrade I do not want?

BT_company_representative · 4 June 2012 at 2:07PM

Hi dickyfisk,

Yes you can send us over your details too. You'll find the contact info in my profile and when we receive your details we'll take it from there.

Best wishes,

Robbie

Excessively High Broadband Usage with BT

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