BT "unlimited broadband" limited to 80kb!

mrochester

kwikbreaks wrote: »

In the strange universe of sales-speak they can indeed call it unlimited but by any sensible definition it isn't so they shouldn't be allowed to. Unlimited means without any limits and by throttling they are imposing a limit.

The question is, what is the throttle a limit on? It's not a limit on the amount of data you can download as you can continue to use the connection. Now, if they cut you off completely, that would be an entirely different story as they'd be limiting your use of an 'unlimited' product. However, slowing your connection down does not suddenly mean that your usage is limited - it is still unlimited, it's just far slower to protect the quality of the network.

The terminology used tends to be 'unlimited data' or 'unlimited usage'. This refers to the amount of data being sent back and forth, NOT to the speed at which it can be done. They are 2 different things.

kwikbreaks

BT do not specify what is unlimited in their adverts which is why they get away with what is blatant misrepresentation of their product. They would argue that it is time online that is unlimited unlike the old dialup products. I would argue that as they don't specify what is unlimited it should be taken to mean that nothing is artificially limited including speed.

All of this is rather irrelevant if you research what you buy before parting with cash or signing any contracts though as 5 minutes effort will quickly reveal that BT are one of the worst broadband providers regardless of what factor they are judged on. As they are also the biggest it just goes to show that lots of people don't do that research.

savemoney

You must live a fair way from exchange or poor line getting those speeds

I get around 15-16Mb but am 10 mins walk to exchange, 0.6 miles

spike7451 wrote: »

As well as kwikbreaks point above,one other thing I noticed when I was working for Sky BBand was the amount of customers who'd call in moaning "I'm only getting 3Mb...but the sales man told me I can get 15Mb"...so they sign up for a higher package than their line can handle.

It pays to do your research first,even O2 told me I can get 17Mb when I know the max I can get is around 6-7Mb on ADSL2.

spike7451

savemoney wrote: »

You must live a fair way from exchange or poor line getting those speeds

I get around 15-16Mb but am 10 mins walk to exchange, 0.6 miles

I'm in the sticks off a small exchange around 3/4 mile away.My line is damaged even tho BT refuse to accept that

BT's ADSL checker say's I can only get around 5-6 Mb.
Wireless connection.

For Telephone Number *********** on Exchange DONAGHADEE
Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 2Mbps.Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 5.5Mbps.

mrJ_5

savemoney wrote: »

You must live a fair way from exchange or poor line getting those speeds

I get around 15-16Mb but am 10 mins walk to exchange, 0.6 miles

It doesn't matter how close you live to the exchange, but how long the line is going from the exchange..... even if you live next door, the cable could go on for several hundred metres until it reaches your home (though logic should say that it would come from the exchange itself into your home)

flightboy

Thanks guys oddly after ringing and saying i was going to complain about being limited even tho i only downloading off peak ( i work all day so download after midnight ) within hours my 7.6MB was back =D

How long for is another thing haha but thanks for the info everyone

mrochester

kwikbreaks wrote: »

BT do not specify what is unlimited in their adverts which is why they get away with what is blatant misrepresentation of their product. They would argue that it is time online that is unlimited unlike the old dialup products. I would argue that as they don't specify what is unlimited it should be taken to mean that nothing is artificially limited including speed.

All of this is rather irrelevant if you research what you buy before parting with cash or signing any contracts though as 5 minutes effort will quickly reveal that BT are one of the worst broadband providers regardless of what factor they are judged on. As they are also the biggest it just goes to show that lots of people don't do that research.

If you check out the BT Broadband website you will see that what they are claiming is unlimited is monthly usage.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-TOTAL-BB-R1&s_intcid=con_intban_overview_BB_home

kwikbreaks

mrochester wrote: »

If you check out the BT Broadband website you will see that what they are claiming is unlimited is monthly usage.

I followed your link. Following a few "learn more" links brings to to
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-TOTAL-BB-R1#tab4
which says

Option 3 gives you the wireless BT Home Hub and Hub Phone, unlimited broadband usage and unlimited Wi-Fi minutes. Take full advantage of everything wireless broadband has to offer right now, and in the future.
Option 3 is best for

• High-speed broadband at home
• Cheap UK broadband calls
• Unlimited Wi-Fi minutes every month
• 5GB FREE online storage with BT Digital Vault
• Downloading as much as you want, when you want

which I consider to be misrepresentation.

mrochester

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I followed your link. Following a few "learn more" links brings to to
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-TOTAL-BB-R1#tab4
which says
which I consider to be misrepresentation.

I don't think that'd hold up in a court though. Regardless of how FAST you can download something, the AMOUNT you can download is still unlimited. It would only be misrepresentation if they cut you off once you hit a 'limit'.

kwikbreaks

Of course it wouldn't hold up in court.
I never said that it would.
It is simply a sneaky and weasel worded scam from a third rate ISP who charge top rate prices.