Data cap cost warning

I switched from Bethere to Plusnet to get FTTC. Using copper we were only ever going to get 3Mb/sec and Bethere which at the time of switching could not supply FTTC. Our problem has been the data cap. I did check Bethere to find out what our useage but they don't keep records so I was unaware of how much our use was. Now we are having to pay for 120MB per month, over Christmas we got up to 127MB, costing us an extra £10. My warning is that if like us you are a heavy iPlayer and web user you could see your monthly internet bill double if you are coming from an uncapped service.

I went from BE Unlimited to BT Infinity Option 2 - unlimited, for the same reason.

Was/is there nothing you could schedule into the unlimited overnight period?

Clearly you mean GB, not MB, but I am very surprised you had no idea what your previous usage was. As of last month I have an iPlayer-enabled set top box (well, two of them as of yesterday as they're only £20!) and an Internet radio and this month I should just squeeze in under the 40GB limit for Value Fibre but I will probably upgrade to 120GB before next month so that I'm not watching it all the time. I think that will do me for quite a while! If I'm doing any big downloads, I try to do them after midnight, which obviously helps. I have two children who are frequently on Youtube, etc., so I don't think my usage is particularly low.

Could I ask which set top boxes these are? I'm discussing iPlaver on the TV in the Video forum at the moment. Without children (at home) barely use 5Gb a month!

In reply to a post by meldrew:

Could I ask which set top boxes these are? I'm discussing iPlaver on the TV in the Video forum at the moment. Without children (at home) barely use 5Gb a month!

These.

They are quite brilliant, arrive 24 hours after ordering and appear as new. Complete with Freeview HD. The one snag is that, as shipped, the software does not include access to iPlayer, I am running a beta version of the software that does, but beta testers are not allowed to repost it, you have to request it on the Channel Zero feedback page. The updated software is expected to be made available over the air shortly.

There is a thread on the Digital Spy forum about them here. It's the IS version you need for iPlayer (and later, hopefully 4OD and other services), as on the eBay link.

Edited by kasg (Sun 15-Jan-12 21:37:32)

Plusnet does have traffic meters, so a weekly check to see how you are doing would be wise, and cutting back on the biggest users - which will be streamed video if getting close to the limits

Thanks for that. I need to upgrade my aerial for Freeview as I mainly use satellite. Some useful stuff on digitalspy too.

Meldrew

In reply to a post by meldrew:

Thanks for that. I need to upgrade my aerial for Freeview as I mainly use satellite. Some useful stuff on digitalspy too.

Meldrew

Out of interest, do you know you need to upgrade your aerial for Freeview? Most people don't need to.

In reply to a post by kasg:

Most people don't need to.

Still using aerial from 22 years ago without any problems

Black and white TV as well?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Black and white TV as well?

They always say the old ones are the best

1080p 100Hz with built in Freeview HD tuner but mainly use Freesat HD box so best of non-Sky world.

Got cheap Freesat from digital switchover + free TV licence

Ah - so you also have a dish now though .

I can beat you on that - I've always had a dish. We got married.

My Black and White TV only started to work properly when I put up a new aerial for digital TV reception. Prior to that I always had problem with the line/frame hold.

Still I have just today received a leaflet that tells me that I don't needs a new aerial for digital TV reception. Even HMG can work out that making Londoners and anyone else that uses the Crystal Palace transmitter change their aerial, might not be a good idea.

er, Yes. It is apparent from the very few programmes that are watchable! Generally I use satellite including a motor driven dish.

Meldrew