I'm not the first one and I won't be the last to write about this topic. It hits most of us especially those that
use the internet most of the time. I am with BT Internet on their max package and receive as they advertise UP TO 8MB... It's actually about 6Mb and I'm one of the lucky ones.
When you buy a product you expect to get what it says on the side of the tin. With broadband this is rarely the case.
Heres two examples:
+ Unlimited usage - subject to our fair usage terms
+ 8Mb Broadband - If your exchange can handle it and depending on how were feeling each day
I will put my argument forward by example: When you purchase a mobile phone contract you pay depending on your usage about the same as your internet package more or less. You are told how many minuites you receive and the amount of texts you are allowed within your monthly usage. I have never been with a phone company that has done different.
Now if you got your bill through the next month and had huge charges or your calls kept getting cut off and you phone up the operator says to you: "Sorry this month is a peak month we charged you extra" or "Sorry you were taking up our bandwidth we cut you off to allow other people to use the network".
This would be unacceptable and the company would be in court quicker than you can imagine. So tell me! How do internet service providers get away with traffic shaping and providing a service way below what it says on the side of the tin?
This problem is all too common and I am one of them consumers thats suffering. The networks should be resourced to be running at around 80% at peak time allowing for fluctuation. It worries me that film renting is going to be available soon and I already know of people being throttled whilst streaming movies off iTunes! The UK needs to get its act together enforce the laws which are currently being ignored and make the ISP's offer the service they are advertising.
Surly if you pay for something you should receive it? Apparently not with UK Broadband!