Can you quantify what "making use of broadband" actually means? if I need to max it out a couple of times a month does that count as making use of it? do I need to be maxing it out every minute of the day to qualify? Is there a definition of how one should make use of their broadband?

I know you think few if not anyone needs more than 36Mbps (probably just so happens to be the exact amount you had on FTTC) but people out here don't necessarily use broadband the exact same way you do fella.

Exactly. People buy things all the time whose performance is greater than they will ever need. For example, cars. Most are capable of doing well in excess of 70 m.p.h., but this would only be of use if you regularly use the autobahn (which I suspect few British drivers do). It does mean that you have some capacity in reserve. The same is true of broadband - you normally may only need 36Mbs but if some temporary problem halves that speed your connection might not meet your requirements. So it's sensible to buy something with a little extra capacity. Again, some are happy to wait a hour or more for large downloads - others want them immediately.

My bête noire would be Netflix, Prime, Apple TV, etc. Many spend more on such streaming services than on the connection. To me that's a waste of money (I can't keep up with what's available for free let alone paying for another "57 Channels and Nothing on"). But I've no reason, or right, to condemn others for (IMO) wasting their money in this way.

I think its more for people who aren't savvy being tricked by jargon speaking salesmen into paying for something they don't need.

If you know your stuff and happy to pay for it then great. But this debate isn't aimed at those people, its aimed at those that don't know they don't need it.

If someone who had no clue about PCs went into a computer shop and was sold a £2,000 gaming machine when all they wanted was a PC that could run Office applications, they have rightfully been conned and ripped off because they're paying for a powerful PC they dont require.

Edited by bobble_bob (Wed 28-Aug-24 15:36:31)

I'm reading the OP and I don't see a question there just the same statements from the same person for the three thousandth time.

Jargon speaking salesmen have been around since forever, just what they are hawking changes. Whether mystical remedies, cars, whatever, it's a thing in many fields. You seriously think a thread on here will educate those who most need it? Just a bored Adrian recycling the same old knowing it'll produce responses and getting the same answers back, briefly entertaining him and all for free.

Plenty of web pages online on this topic from consumer, industry and commercial sites.

I’ve not seen any evidence of people being conned into buying faster broadband than they need. Most ISPs seem to explain the various use scenarios.

After a blissful period of silence, it seems that "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" is back in the public domain.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

I’ve not seen any evidence of people being conned into buying faster broadband than they need. Most ISPs seem to explain the various use scenarios.

Just to add to what you have said, I've never ever been called by an ISP other than to update me on faults (prior to FTTP), I also don't currently have the fastest FTTP package and they have never felt the need to call and upsell.

Seems to be happening since a lot of the FTTP installs and sales reps going round trying to get people to sign up (particularly Virgin).

I posted about my Aunt who was convinced she needs FTTP over FTTC despite living alone and only using WhatsApp and Netflix streaming occasionally. If its happened within my small family circle, im sure its happened across the UK.

I believe i saw another poster on here too from another ISP sales rep who used underhand sales tactics about the copper cables getting removed in their area so they need to upgrade to FTTP

Edited by bobble_bob (Wed 28-Aug-24 17:25:38)

It must happen as there are rogue people in all industries but who decides if it is or isn't the exception to the rule?

I can believe that this is happening door-to-door. The moral is to never buy anything at the door, or sign up for a charity there. Take the time to do a little research first.

I still don’t believe that it’s a widespread problem.