*ALL* ntl Cap Discussion (Part 3)

[Chris W]

The previous cap thread has got rather long, so time for us to start again...

Summary of what has been said so far:

ntl's terms and conditions for broadband state the following:

20.2 Data Usage
Nobody may use the Internet Services, either directly or indirectly in excess of the usage allowances set out in this section. Our Internet Services are intended for normal recreational or educational use by individuals and families and our pricing and network architecture have been designed accordingly. Customers who exceed the usage allowances applicable to the Internet Services may reduce the performance of the network for other customers.

In the event that you exceed the usage allowances applicable to your Internet Services, we reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to reduce, suspend or terminate your Internet Services. During any period of reduction or suspension, you will remain liable for the payment of your Internet Services charges at the original level. We also reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to re-grade your Internet Services to a different speed and/or usage allowance at the appropriate charge.

The following tables (which will be updated from time to time) set out the download speed, monthly usage allowance and price for ntl's Broadband Internet Services and ntl's Freedom Internet Services:

Broadband Internet Service

(download speed) Monthly Usage Allowance
1Mb- 3GB
*2Mb 30GB
3Mb 30GB

Ntl appear to be now enforcing the usage policy more strictly than previously- a number of members have reported having a letter about their usage - most of these people have been hitting over 100GB per month, although it has not been confirmed what level of data transfer triggers this letter being sent. An example of such a letter is here http://pictures.britxbox.co.uk/artic.../908043778.jpg [thanks to Phlashman for scanning the letter].

Advice regarding bandwidth usage from ntl is available at www.ntlworld.com/bandwidthadvice .

Ntl have also stated that they are launching new packages in the future, including a 10mb product with a 75GB/month usage allowance, and a number of unlimited products. Discussion of 10meg should take place in the thread here.

Conclusions from the previous thread: some people are happy with the cap, some are not... so on that note... let the discussion continue

Nice summary

[dilli-theclaw]

Um - I'm happy with things the way they are too.

[mcmanic]

Me Too.

[Chrysalis]

Ok I think my original guess of 150gig been the trigger for these letters seems a lucky guess, but dont start downloading 149gig assuming I am right because I may well be wrong.

Another question to ignition or ntl tech's in the know, is how would ntl react to a scenario where everyone on the ubr is under the 75gig cap but using bulk of their traffic around peak time so the ubr becomes laggy and congested at that time.

Will they.

(a) play the BT game tell customers its part and parcel of contention live with it.
(b) do upgrades
(c) decrease caps

This is the problem with a broad cap, a cap eg. of 30gig on peak 150gig off peak is much more effective then a broad cap of 75gig any time, and I still have my concerns, the low cap and massive increase in speed speaks high contention ratios.

[mcmanic]

nice post Chrysalis, i know what you mean about the trigger for these letters thats why i'm aiming for around 75gigs next month, other isp's have the same approach with these letters - Plusnet being one, stay within these invisible boundaries and you'll be ok untill a HARD Cap is enforced which looks bad for customers when selling a BB service so its not something NTL will do at present.

I also will be downloading during peak times also, where before it was early morning or after 12midnight,but not anymore

and yes there may be a % of heavy users over use over 150 gigs a month but i bet there is even a higher % that use between 30gig to 100gig a month, and i cannot see NTL getting rid of them, thats why the soft cap will increase when they go 10meg, so stay within them limits until NTL enforce a proper hardcoded cap and you'll be fine i bet anything!!

[HaroldT]

Hello Chris W. I'm not a 'high flying' user; I'm just a septuagenarion dabbler on the basic 300kps package and I average perhaps a gigabyte per month....and most of this, some 5-6 mbs per day, is atrributable to downloads I cannot souce. Is there anyway this pensioner can get, say, a one mb service with the 2 gbs limit without having to pay an arm and a leg. I am pleading poverty....and curiosity to see how superior, and faster service really is ?

HaroldT [77833483]

Originally Posted by HaroldT

Hello Chris W. I'm not a 'high flying' user; I'm just a septuagenarion dabbler on the basic 300kps package and I average perhaps a gigabyte per month....and most of this, some 5-6 mbs per day, is atrributable to downloads I cannot souce. Is there anyway this pensioner can get, say, a one mb service with the 2 gbs limit without having to pay an arm and a leg. I am pleading poverty....and curiosity to see how superior, and faster service really is ?

HaroldT [77833483]

Then the 1 meg service with 3 gig limit for 9.99 should do you.

[HaroldT]

Does this 'service' exist on NTL; I've neither heard or read anything about a 1mb package ? Would you know how I could arrange this. I greatly appreciate this information Bill C - you certainly are quick off the mark.

Ht

Originally Posted by HaroldT

Does this 'service' exist on NTL; I've neither heard or read anything about a 1mb package ? Would you know how I could arrange this. I greatly appreciate this information Bill C - you certainly are quick off the mark.

Ht

Yes check here http://www.home.ntl.com/icat/broadband

[HaroldT]

This is brilliant .... does this mean that I can just exchange my Model T 300 kps for for the super new 1 mb without penalty or hassle ?

Ht

[theNomad]

http://www.home.ntl.com/icat/broadband
wow they actually admit to it having a limit,something that tv adverts,door2door and highstreet canvasers still dont tell you.

Cap Wars: Episode III - Revenge of NTL

Nice to have a fresh cap discussion.So I'll shut up going on about the same old issues,untill we see what happens after the soft caps.I'm affraid Ive probably allready gone over my 30gbs again,still not sure how to check as netlimiter resets stats to Zero on start-up,but I'm really trying to curb my ways somewhat.

Originally Posted by HaroldT

This is brilliant .... does this mean that I can just exchange my Model T 300 kps for for the super new 1 mb without penalty or hassle ?

Ht

Just give them a call and explaine what you want. They should tell you what you need to know. But yes you can. One point at the moment on your 300k service you have a monthly limit of 30gig. If you move to 1 meg you will then be limited to 3 gig. However if you only use the small amount that you have quoted then you will be fine.

[HaroldT]

One mnore silly question,,,,,, who / where do I call....Ht

Many thanks for this info Bill C - I really apprciate your generous help.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by HaroldT

One mnore silly question,,,,,, who / where do I call....Ht

Many thanks for this info Bill C - I really apprciate your generous help.

0800 052 2000