[MovedGoalPosts]

A flat rate pricing model inevitably must accept some users will use a service more heavily than the average, others less than average. Assuming the business model is correct, the patterns should balance out.

We have plently of examples of flat rate pricing in the UK: postage - it costs me as much to send a letter to my neighbour as it does to the other end of the country; Council Tax - my wheelie bin is nearly almost only 1/2 full each week, my neigbours is usually overflowing, but we both pay the same effective contribution. I could go on.

The majority of users like flat rate pricing structures, as they know where they are with them, and don't have to worry about use. Even ntl in promoting their telephone services encourage the model as it will be cheaper for the customer who makes lots of calls. It's the whole idea of the concept.

For flat price models to work, it's up to the supplier, to price the service accordingly.

Perhaps the flaw in the current model is not that there is an absence of a heavy user tarrif, because the current service should be set up to expect that. Perhaps there should be a light user option in addition to the standard service, cheaper than at present - effectively a standing charge for your connection and then pay as you go for data shifted.