Toucan throws down the gauntlet to broadband rivals

Despite promises of ‘unlimited’ broadband, uSwitch.com study reveals that all broadband companies are prepared to disconnect customers considered to be using their broadband ‘to excess’ and calls for calls for an advertising ban on ‘unlimited’ broadband unless it truly has no limit.

Independent price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com announced this week that, with the emergence of new ‘on-demand’ TV services and web content, over 9 million broadband users are at risk of having their service limited, suspended or even terminated by their provider, because they wrongly believe that their broadband connection has no download limit.

In direct response to the report and to eliminate any potential customer confusion, broadband provider Toucan has removed the term ‘unlimited downloads’ from its website with immediate effect.

Steve Weller, Head of Communications Services at independent price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com, comments: “We are impressed to see Toucan taking such immediate action in response to our report. We hope that other broadband companies will follow their example and review their marketing materials, to eradicate consumer confusion on this issue. There is no getting around it – a broadband service should not be classed as ‘unlimited’ when there are restrictions to usage. We will continue to put pressure on both the industry and the ASA until this issue is addressed. In the meantime, we urge consumers to be aware of their broadband usage to make sure they are not caught out.”