Wow, thanks - that's another very helpful analysis of the system... I know everyone says it's simple, but I'm only just starting to 'get' it. Your advice is very sensible.

It isn't simple compared to other ISPs IMO, but the extra little bit of complexity gives us much greater flexibility than the fixed caps of other solutions and far more clarity then heavily shaped and hairy-fairy "fair use" policies found elsewhere. It doesn't work out great for everyone (particularly due to the high effective price of weekday bandwidth) but for many like myself it works out very well even after the recent changes that dropped the bandwidth value of off-peak units.

it's been educational to switch to AAISP
...
but then there's the school holidays which - unlike Christmas - aren't going to be unmetered, sadly...

Make it educational for the kids too: link bandwidth use to pocket money bonuses or something and teach them a little "enjoyment optimisation" that will be valuable when managing their time and resources in later life!

It doesn't take long for someone to download another 1GB

It certainly doesn't. HD content from iPlayer and the like can rack up a pile of bandwidth in very little time for instance. I'd have to implement some stringent speed limits in the weekday if I had kids anywhere near my FTTC based line: flat out at the current sync rate it can pull down 13G in an hour, a month of that would not be cheap!

It certainly doesn't. HD content from iPlayer and the like can rack up a pile of bandwidth in very little time for instance.

My Mrs had a week off work, and spent the entire week on Netflix OMG I knew bandwidth was pricey on AAISP during the day, but I forgot by how much.

LOL i have to say i know its personal choice etc but hell just get a decent isp that allows usage whenever you want, there are lots out there that allow unlimited DL with a fair usage policy not sure if the rate you guys pay is mega low or not but what a PITA to have to sit there and think "shall i DL this or wait till later" etc or ami barking up the wrong tree?

I was in a similar situation, I am working a lot more from home now, and I did not use the internet during the day, as I didn't want a huge bill, AAISP are fantastic, but the 9-6 slot is a real bug for me, so I migrated away.

Lisa

I think I'll be moving too. As you say, they provide a good service but the pricing doesn't suit everybody's situation...