Plus.net upgrades- confused

[midzt]

I just got this emial from plus.net:

We would like to inform you that our previously announced Fair Usage policy takes effect from Thursday 14th April 2005.

What is Fair Usage?
-------------------
Fair Usage ensures that PlusNet broadband customers enjoy a fast and reliable service, by setting out what we consider to be sustainable for each product.

Check your broadband speed to see your Fair Usage:
--------------------------------------------------
512k - 30GB (except ADSL Home Surf - 22GB)
1Mb - 50GB
2Mb - 75GB

As well as your Fair Usage amount, you can also use up to 200 GB* extra every month by scheduling downloads between off-peak hours of 1-8AM.

For a full explanation of how Fair Usage works, please see our Fair Usage guide - http://portal.plus.net/features/usage_guide.shtml

Not sure how much you use?
--------------------------
If you are like most customers, you may only use a small amount of your product's Fair Usage. From 14th April you can check how much you use with the updated View My Broadband Usage -
https://portal.plus.net/view_my_broadband_usage/

Kind regards,

Customer Support

PlusNet - The Smarter Way to Broadband
http://portal.plus.net/


* extra usage based on 2Mb download speed

I don't understand what is happening, it doesn't really mention anything about upgrading the speed of the line, which I thought they were doing. Can any please explain to me?

(I have a 512k line atm)

Thanks

[Jonny M]

I was told we will get an email about it sometime this month, then can go on their site to upgrade the line.

[midzt]

I just found this on their website:

25. Do I have to ask for my speed upgrade or will this happen automatically?
Your line will automatically be 'regraded' so that it can support the highest speed possible. To actually change to a higher speed you will

need to visit the portal and request the speed change.

Still don't understand though.

[8bit]

i *think* what they're doing is allowing ppl to upgrade past 4Mb/s on ADSL. So you will be able to pay them even more money for an 8Mb/s connection. w00t.

which i find a bit misleading since the original email about the speed increases seemed to imply that we'd all be getting our line speeds doubled for free.

And this "fair usage" policy, I personally find this deplorable. I signed up for an unrestricted service, i.e, NO limits of ANY sort on the amount of traffic I can use. If plus.net now find they couldn't actually afford to offer that service in the first place they should never have done and as far as I'm concerned it's their problem. I will continue to use the service as I have done since i signed up and if I go over their "limit" and get restricted I will view this as a breach of contract on their part and have my lawyer friend write them a letter.

[Trippledence]

Have a look on the plus net forums, theres loads of people who have posted this sort of thing. Basicaly for a 512 customer such as my self you line should be upgraded eventually to as fast as it will suport up to 2meg. In addition they have a 30gb acepable use limit. (for premier 512 customers) You can break this 3 months in a row with noting happening. On the 4th month if you break it they cap your line back to 128k for the rest of the month. Or give you the option up upgrade. eg 24.99 gives you 50gig or someting. For me this sucks as bt say my line is only 512 compatable. But if i can get meg soonish i wont bother moving.

[8bit]

ok i've changed my tune a bit - apparently my line is good for <= 2Mb/s which I'll get when they upgrade my exchange (sometime in 2031 if BT do their usual).

and the fair usage thing apparently this only covers download, not upload data and its not measured between 1am and 8am. for me this is fine, i normally kick my p2p client and any big downloads off when i go to bed and shut the machine down before i leave for work anyway. still not technically an "unrestricted" service tho...

[Trippledence]

Luck you. Hears hopaing ill be albe to get something faster than 521.