Isp's broadband usage meter readings too high?

I've been with Supanet for years and have been very happy with them,until the last year or so.

I have a 100GB limit,which is supposed to be downloads only,hence I can upload as much as I like. I have 2 broadband usage meters installed,that give me the exact same figures for my usage, every day. They do not tally at all,with what Supanet say I'm apparently using, but if you included my uploading in the totals,they are quite close.

I have contacted Supanet on various occasions, who say my package limit is for downloads only, but without much additional info,to convince me. They just talk to you,like you were born yesterday,telling you that downloading movies,going on gaming sites,etc, increases your usage,duh.

I know the ultimate way to monitor my usage, is to track my router usage via snmp, but my router is not compatible for this, without tinkering with source codes and stuff, which I'd rather not risk.

Would love to know,if there's any other people out there,having similar issues.

Are Supanet using the same definition of a GB as your usage meters.
Plusnet for example use 1000MB = 1GB.

I'm not sure what they use, but the difference in readings, is far greater than what that factor would make. We are talking about huge differences, eg, my meter will say I've downloaded 1GB, but Supanet will say 3GB. But,if you added my uploads onto that 1GB, mine and Supanet totals are pretty close. They've told me that they only count downloads, so not sure what I can do. I'd leave, if I didn't have 17 months left on the contract.

It would be nice to phone them up and actually get to talk to someone,who knows a bit about computers. You just get the same responses out of all them,which are pretty irrelevant to the point I'm trying to get across.

The Ts&Cs ( http://www.supanet.com/pdfs/bb_terms.pdf ) suggest that data transfers are counted which implies uploads as well as downloads.

When they call things a usage allowance they often mean download+upload

The product page talks of download, but its not totally clear

The product page says

...you have access to bandwidth usage within your account enabling you to monitor your own allowance...

so is it feasible to do an experiment to see if what combination of downloads and uploads are counted? (I know you shouldn't need to, but...)

You are sure that no one else is using your network.....

Thank you for all your input. Being a newbie on here, I am really impressed at the very helpful posts.

I have my WI Fi disabled on my router, so I am sure, there is only me using my connection.

I think I have come to the conclusion, that Supanet are counting uploads towards my usage.

Uploading twice as much as you are downloading is pretty atypical usage. Or were they not real-life example figures?

They are real-life example figures gomezz. I do a lot of file-sharing.

I guessed that. Wondering if your download figure is not including stuff that is "in and out" en route for some reason?

It looks like it is counting. Maybe this is a common thing to do,with all ISPs, although I don't find much about this problem,when I Google. Maybe another phone call to Supanet, might be in order.

Must admit that I thought (assumed?) most ISPs counted downloads and uploads in usage - I know mine (Eclipse) doesn't but I think that's the exception nowadays.

Perhaps an e-mail might be better. At least then an unambiguous answer is on the record (hopefully).

I prefer to email John, because I'm not exactly very good on the phone,but their email responses,up to now, have been quite unsatisfactory. Anyone who's been with Supanet, will know what I mean. Each department tells you to email another department and I must have tried them all now.
Saying that, my calls to them, have been pretty unsatisfactory. Called one time about not being able to receive email notifications, off a certain social network, and he said bluntly,"why do you think it's our fault" lol

The ISP IDNet don't count upload usage, it's unlimited.

Post deleted by colingar

I know it's been a while, but I finally got a result. The new Supanet complaints dept, appears to be a lot more helpful, than the others I contacted. Apparently I was right all along,about Supanet counting my uploads in my allowance. Here is the main part of the email,I received:


"Please accept my apologies for the confusion surrounding what is included in your usage limit. As agreed at point of sale in September 2011 only your downloads should be included.

Unfortunately not long after you placed your order a decision was made to start to include uploads in the allowance. A notification email was sent to all customers affected by this change, however I cannot find a record of any email sent to yourself. I offer my sincerest apologies for this failure in communication.

I have now increased your limit from 100GB to 500GB at no extra cost as a goodwill gesture for the inconvenience this has caused. This does not affect your contract term, it will still expire in Sept 13 as originally agreed."


Although I'm still a little disappointed,with the other depts, for not resolving my problem, especially for telling me,that my uploads weren't counted, I'm well happy with my new cap.

Thanks again,for all of your help