Broadband users face Christmas excess download penalties
The surge in online TV services such as BBC iPlayer over recent years means that the inconvenience of missing your favourite TV show no longer exists for those with an internet connection. Now, as the Christmas TV schedule kicks-off, fans need never miss a moment, but they are being warned to keep an eye on their broadband usage limits at the same time.
A recent Broadbandchoices.co.uk survey of over 1,000 British broadband customers has revealed that over a third (35%) of broadband users plan to watch more online TV over the Christmas break than they would compared with the rest of the year. Of those who plan to increase their online TV viewing, almost a fifth (18%) had no idea what their monthly download limit is and a further 28% did not know how much they actually downloaded each month.
These customers face a real risk of incurring "excess download" penalty charges from their broadband provider for breaching their agreed usage allowance. 39% of respondents were worried that they may incur penalty charges in the future and whilst 15% had exceeded their limit in the past, a massive 39% admitted to never checking their monthly bill for these excess usage fines.
Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk, commented: "Christmas is already an expensive time of year, so the last thing consumers need is a hefty ‘excess downloads' charge being added on to their broadband bill. Download penalties are an entirely avoidable expense and they can really add up, especially if you have more than one person using online TV services in your house.
"It is crucial to check and understand the small print as once customers have breached their usage terms they will not be able to plead ignorance to avoid the financial consequences. Remember, even if a broadband package says it is ‘unlimited', it is still highly likely that it will have some form of fair usage policy attached. If you are still unsure of how to track your usage, using a free Broadband Download Monitor will help you avoid any unexpected charges."
Broadbandchoices.co.uk's top tips for online TV downloading this Christmas:
Pick the right broadband provider - Both Sky ‘Broadband Unlimited' and Virgin Media Broadband XXL have unlimited downloads with no fair usage policies attached. Ultimately, you need to compare what is available in your area using an Ofcom-accredited comparison calculator to find the best deal for you.
Download at night - Traffic shaping, which slows down a broadband connection, is applied by many providers during the peak evening hours (around 6pm to midnight). Therefore broadband users who download at night - usually from midnight onwards - should find their music and movie files download a lot quicker. Some packages like PlusNet's Pro plan, offer free overnight downloading, so it won't come out of your monthly usage allowance.
Track your usage - If you have a set download limit, or you're concerned about exceeding your fair usage allowance, then installing a free Broadband Download Monitor is a great way of tracking your downloads, and you can even set alarms to alert you as you near your limit.