BT Total Broadband Package NIGHTMARE

AA99

lucylucky, I really don't want to 'argue' my case with you personally The point I am making is the constant barrage of what you can and can't use. Nowhere is there any mention of computer games being played, nowhere is mentioned about how much useage they use, everything is directed towards customers going over their useage limits and being charged way over the odds for doing so at BT's hearsay......

I find their system grossly unfair, and I think Customer Services putting the phone down on me today to be the ultimate insult. I would be angry with anybody for doing that, but after all, I'm just a customer.

Ningy

I think it's the first line from BT which is important:
"Everything sent or received over the internet consists of bits of data..."

It is unfortunate that they choose not to specifically mention online game playing in their usage guidelines, but that doesn't mean it's not included -your son is still sharing information with others. I for example *upload* rather than download a lot of photos, but am aware that this equally eats into my usage.

I think you have grounds for complaint with regards to the hanging up and original mis-selling of SkySports etc., but will also have to admit to some naivety - I don't think anyone here is trying to be vindictive, but it's an unfortunate case of basic misunderstanding.

I am also surprised you haven't been given a better offer for upgrading to Option 3 since BT have been quite generous recently - there is another thread about that. It may be possible that you could reduce your future bills.

Scho

They only give you examples and idea of these things, but like you say there is no specific mention of computer games within these. However, the catch all is in the policy at the start - "Everything sent or received..." - so it will mean anything with gaming. Maybe it would be worth just using their links on their T&C pages in regards to data usage and monitor what you do closely for now as I saw they have a tool you can use there. If you can go into the router settings it normally tells you there too but only for the current connection.


Found this link that may help you with the gaming side of things but add say 10% just incase and that should sort you;
http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/online-gaming-data-usage-291208.html

I agree that these companies are out for your money a bit, but then making sure you're aware of everything they can throw at you like these usage limits helps - just got to play the system like anything else these days. If their customer service rep put the phone down on you and it wasn't for any reason (they hang up if you swear or shout I think?) then complain. Try and wrangle some extra for their poor customer service. But vote with your feet if and when you can get out of your current contract if you think they're that bad.

lucylucky

AA99 wrote: »

lucylucky, I really don't want to 'argue' my case with you personally The point I am making is the constant barrage of what you can and can't use. Nowhere is there any mention of computer games being played, nowhere is mentioned about how much useage they use, everything is directed towards customers going over their useage limits and being charged way over the odds for doing so at BT's hearsay......

I find their system grossly unfair, and I think Customer Services putting the phone down on me today to be the ultimate insult. I would be angry with anybody for doing that, but after all, I'm just a customer.

It has been pointed out several times now, by myself, and others exactly what data use is.

You appear to have gone over your allowance, and bt would like you to pay more money to them to have a larger allowance, their model is no different from many other ISPs. What is it that you find unfair?


If you are unsure of what you, or anyone else in your house, is using then you need to monitor your usage.


If customer services had put the phone down on me I would be on the phone straight back to them.
I do think you have been treated shoddily.

As I asked before have you escalated your complaint through bt's complaints procedure?

JamesU

saintscouple wrote: »

I would echo the comments above, there is a broadband usage app somewhere on the bt website (sorry can't remember where -

AA99 wrote: »

I have read about broadband useage apps but not tried them. My son has xbox live connected but there is only streaming involved, I understand, not downloading, normal game playing doesn't use download useage. I have also been led to understand that BT cannot PROVE download useage

lucylucky wrote: »

If you are unsure of what you, or anyone else in your house, is using then you need to monitor your usage.

BT broadband has a usage monitor which is really useful. To use it to check usage,

go to My BT account
log in to BT account
under manage my services, click the broadband tab
under manage your broadband services, click view your broadband usage

Then you see a bar with recent data usage on left (used amount in green) and amount remaining until the end of the month on the right (grey). It also has a scale and the amount used and still remaining is also numbered.

Useful tool for any OP that wants to monitor usage on BT broadband and very easy to use.
Hope this helps.

JamesU

AA99

JamesU wrote: »

BT broadband has a usage monitor which is really useful. To use it to check usage,

go to My BT account
log in to BT account
under manage my services, click the broadband tab
under manage your broadband services, click view your broadband usage

Then you see a bar with recent data usage on left (used amount in green) and amount remaining until the end of the month on the right (grey). It also has a scale and the amount used and still remaining is also numbered.

Useful tool for any OP that wants to monitor usage on BT broadband and very easy to use.
Hope this helps.

JamesU

Thank you James, and thank you others, for your replies. I have looked at BT's useage monitor, and I also have my own tbb monitors installed on my own pc and my son's laptop. There are very great differences. I would draw your attention to BT's own forums:

http://community.bt.com/t5/BB-in-Home/BT-Broadband-Usage-Incorrect/td-p/4454

penrhyn

You should be aware that any usage monitor installed on a PC or Laptop will only monitor the usage on that device, and NOT any other devices that may be connected e.g Games consoles, internet eanabled radios TVs Blu Ray players smartphones Kindles etc.etc.

To measure all of you usage you would have to have a monitoring device connected directly to the router, or use the ISPs tool as suggested.

Blackjack_Davy

So yet another parent with offspring owning xbox which is probably connected 24/7 and who is utterly oblivious to what said offspring is doing with it? Am I the only person who subscribes to the school of the blindingly obvious?

You'd be better off subscribing to some sort of "unlimited" package. That way your son can use his xbox to his heart's content and it won't cost you the earth. :cool:

AA99

Blackjack_Davy wrote: »

So yet another parent with offspring owning xbox which is probably connected 24/7 and who is utterly oblivious to what said offspring is doing with it? Am I the only person who subscribes to the school of the blindingly obvious?
My son is 22 years old, not 2 and I am not oblivious to his useage.

You'd be better off subscribing to some sort of "unlimited" package. That way your son can use his xbox to his heart's content and it won't cost you the earth. :cool:

Yes, I know that now..... meanwhile I have a bill for £282 to deal with

penrhyn

Is it possible for you to cancel the Sky Sports component of your package?
Not of much help now but you could go on to Line rental saver, pay 12 months up front (Yes I know), which equates to £10/month not £13.60.
Can the offspring not contribute to the cost of his online account?