Monthly internet usage allowance, question?

pinkpinkfizz

Hi,
I have recently changed my ISP from AOL to Plusnet and tonight I received an email saying I was close to my peaktime usage allowance. I 'm flabbergasted as I've never had that in all the years I was with aol.
I'm on a 10GB monthly download(same as AOL), and my billing date is 16th of the month. This is my 1st month with Plusnet.

So I have a couple of questions ..

What counts towards your useage?
We have ipod touches that are connected automatically, as soon as they are turned on, even if you're listening to music (is that how it works, or is only when you open the safari browser?)
My son has xbox live (had this with aol, and it was never a concern) is there a way to use this so he doesn't "waste" useage?
Both my pc's connect automatically to the internet, should I change the settings to stop this from happening?
I study from home but am online constantly, emails etc, Do I have to change the way I do things?

I'd really appreciate some advice, as I'm actually quite annoyed at this new problem and feeling like I have to restrict the way I use my pc's . :mad:

sometime it's better the devil you know!!!!

mjm3346

It's a 10Gb usage allowance (up and downloads) not just downloads. I think the e-mail is sent when you reach 8Gb used. Usage between midnight and 8am is free.
E-mails do not usually use much (unless you are sending lots of large attachments). Watching/downloading video is heavy on usage (BBC iPlayer, 4OD etc), I don't know about the x-box

debitcardmayhem

You can check your usage by going to their usage page

macman

Online gaming on the xbox is almost certainly the culprit, that can eat bandwidth.
Plusnet Value is a capped service and does not sounds too suitable for your level of usage.

JasX

macman wrote: »

Online gaming on the xbox is almost certainly the culprit, that can eat bandwidth.
Plusnet Value is a capped service and does not sounds too suitable for your level of usage.

when I last metered online gaming for a few online FPS type games it worked out around 28 Megabytes per hour during play, could be a bit more now as that was a few years ago.

Downloading new games and add-ons can be fairly large.
few 100 MB for a small update
1GB odd for a large update or new game demo
4GB (or more) for a whole new game.

every bit of useage 'counts' uploading and downloading accessing and browsing the itunes store, downloading stuff from the itunes store etc etc.

tbh I'd look for a better internet package, 10GB i'd suggest as a reasonable limit for my elderly aunt who has a single PC and web browses 'occasionally'

for a family house with 'multiple PCs' plus 'multiple iPods' plus 'kids gaming online on xBOX' plus 'someone working/studying from home during the day all the time' sounds like you're on completly the wrong tariff

macman

But strange that the problem did not occur on the same 10GB limit with AOL? I can only assume that AOL are as incompetent at monitoring usage as they are at everything else...
OP, maybe you should see how you go over another month, and if still running over upgrade to Plusnet Extra, which has a 60GB allowance.
That is cheaper than paying the surcharge every month.

the182guy

It sounds like AOL were either not well informed about your usage by their system or just operate a loose policy unless you substantially exceed the limit. Not suprised really, AOL have that many problems, a user going a bit over a 10GB limit is going to be bottom of the priorty list.

Sowilo_2

Not sure about this but I believe Plusnet is now part of BT, which I have just left for similar reasons. I installed Thinkbroadband which gave crazy figures: Download speed of 500mb, usage of 8/9 gb a month. Ridiculous figures. I rang BT on several occassions who said they could not tell me my usage, they got informed by a third party if I exceeded limits. When changing my provider BT rang and I explained why I was leaving. The man clicked his computer and said " you used 2gb in December, 3 in November and 4 last month (January).
No help I know but knowing that may prevent you from going mad. BT had me locked in for 18 months paying for 10gb and not daring to use more than 3 or 4. I hate them.

pinkpinkfizz

Thanks for all the replies.

The point made about not having this issue with AOL is the exact reason I was so annoyed. It hadn't occurred to me that aol were "oblivious" to my useage! although I shouldnt be surprised, lol.

I have set a £5 top up onto my account for this month, but will more than likely have to upgrade my package in future months. Making my moneysaving change of provider a waste of time.
I also tied up a my landline calls with Plusnet (first time I've ever ventured away from BT) and that service kicked in yesterday. I had to add the option for caller display @ 99p per month and I'm waiting for some other email to tell me I need to add something else or I'm about to exceed my limits on that too!! lol :undecided ( anytime, unlimited calls, so surely not!)
I really wish I hadn't bothered changing anything... its more been hassle and more money than it started out to be.... only slight compensation is that its a 12 month deal not 18.
I chose Plusnet as they had recently been taken over by BT, my thinking was that they are cheaper than BT but same as BT, if you see what I mean?! :think:

Can anyone clarify the question about ipod touches having a permanent connection to the internet, whether that connection does that count towards our useage? We have 4 ipod touches, all configured to automatically connect to the internet, but if they are switched on and are just used for listening to music, does this count? I suspect it does as when I go into the page to do with configuring settings on plusnet I can see all the devices, unless they are out of range of the house or actually powered off , not on standby.

Thanks again for all your advice and comments.

macman

Yes, any device connected to your router by wi-fi and accessing the internet will use data.
Listening to music already on the iTouch does not use any data, if you download or stream to it, it will.