Article: The "Free" Fairy Story

Madasafish_Customer_Care

An article was published this morning by Guy Kewney which I think members of this forum would find quite interesting. It explores the recent free/unlimited offers being offered in the broadband market today.

Please click here to read The "Free" Fairy Story.

I'm interested to hear some opinions.

Cheers,
Samara

normanmark

basically all he's doing is repeating common knowledge?

espresso

normanmark wrote:

basically all he's doing is repeating common knowledge?

Obviously not!

The author of this artical should read Samara's link and then update this bit:

Major player 1Mbps at £14.99/month with no download limit.

You would think that this site would know better!

PhilUK_3

maybe the reg just dont like it cos ppl are getting internet cheap.. my isp match tt and without 40 gig limit!!

Rex_Mundi

Another excellent article from The Register (you following me around the net Samara? This is another site I read daily:p )

PhilUK wrote:

maybe the reg just dont like it cos ppl are getting internet cheap.. my isp match tt and without 40 gig limit!!

For any ISP on the BT network, these kind of deals are simply unsustainable in the long run. The way BTW charge for access to their network makes capping or throttling inevitable. Higher downloads=more cost for the ISP.

LLU and cable ISPs may have a bit more leeway in their pricing structure, but even so. To install their own equipment all over the country will cost them megamoney. They have got to recoup this somehow. Offering 'free' broadband wont get them their money back.

My ISP (Zen) were one of the last truly unlimited (no caps, no throttling, no shaping) ISPs out there. With the onset of ADSL Max, even they've admitted that completely unlimited packages are unsustainable (and this is a premium price ISP). I've been offered a free upgrade to Max, but will be limited to 20GB or 50GB depending on the package I choose, or, I can stay on my 2MB connection and stay completely unlimited (with no restrictions at all). I like my unlimited package, and have chosen to stay on this for the time being.

I can see a few shocks on the way for many people who think their connection is truly unlimited.