Throttling and the AUP - problems with ISP

[Barno]

A few months ago my ISP limited my connection speed because I had been using too much bandwidth. As I'd never come across an acceptable use policy (AUP) before and as it gives you no idea of what constitutes "acceptable use" the same thing has happened again. This time it was for downloading 10GB in a day - 3.2GB in 1hr. This is excessive for me and I wouldn't normally be using that much. Still, I got an email from my ISP saying I had abused my connection and was in breach of the acceptable use policy (AUP). My 8mb connection was limited to near dial-up speeds and has remained at a similar speed for about 3 weeks.

I've emailed the ISP twice to discuss switching to an account with a 20GB limit (I'm on 'unlimited' at the moment) and also to ask when the speed limit on my account will be lifted. No reply.

I'd be interested to know if anyone else has had a bad experience with so called 'unlimited' accounts or has fallen foul of the deliberately vague AUP? Also, do I have cause for complaint? 3 weeks seems excessive punishment for breaking the AUP.

 

[Defiance_co]

I would say you've got as much hope as becoming pope

ISP's are sadly a law unto themselves

More slippery than an eel when it comes what they can term AUP

Find another ISP and say goodbye to the one you have

In the UK the goalposts are moved more and more in the ISP's favour and the consumers dis-favour

Can't see this ever changing to be honest

 

[Barno]

Unfortunately I'm in a broadband blackspot so its this ISP (wireless broadband), dialup or nothing. They've got me over a barrel and they know it. They don't even feel the need to reply to my emails. Whatever happened to customer service? I'm still paying £28 a month for an account running way below its advertised speed. Its ridiculous. How am I supposed to know what someone else's idea of 'acceptable use' is? Fair enough if I'm maxing the service all day every day but I stepped over the mark a couple of times and now I'm public enemy no.1.

 

[Defiance_co]

If it's any easier, I am on VM 20meg cable, Was with NTL when they rolled out .5meg onwards

I don't use and dl's only emgs worth when i do for game patches etc

I get capped as if i was bandwidth user/abuser #1 lol

o2 for me goes live 16th and the tv/bb can be cancelled, Already stopped phone december due to billing errors and can't wait to make the cancellation call and see what they would offer me to stay lol

Gawd knows what will happen when national 50meg vm rolls out, Cable grid-lock i guess or "well you've had a 10min spurt @ 50meg now you're capped for 23hrs and 50mins" lol

sorry you got no other options, I feel ya pain