Plusnet launches half-price broadband deal

Read that lot above carefully, in effect it says 'if we feel like it, we can reduce your speed, if you use the service fully, we can (and will) cut you off without warning or compensation.

And here is why Plusnet and many other ISPs can over-sell their capacity and con you into believing you are getting something cheaply. It's rather like finding that you have only rented a flat for the night instead of having full use of it all the time: 6. Broadband Acceptable Use Policy 6.1 General 6.1.1 The Broadband Internet access component of your account is based on a contended service. This policy contains guidelines on how you can use this Service. We manage our network using prioritisation techniques to ensure that during busy periods time sensitive applications such as VoIP, email, gaming and web browsing are given priority over bandwidth intensive, non-time-sensitive applications such as Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing. Traffic shaping is used to a greater or lesser extent on all our Broadband Services. More information on contention and how we manage our network. 6.1.2 These guidelines are to give you a clear expectation as to what constitutes fair and reasonable account usage. You are bound by these guidelines we impose on you, as a user of the Service, in order that we can operate a reliable service for our customers. 6.1.3 If you do not abide by the limitations of this account, we will take action against you not limited to, but including, instant termination of your account without a refund. 6.1.4 Any decision made by us in relation to this Service shall be final. 6.2 Broadband Surf Services (ADSL Home Surf and ADSL Biz Surf) 6.2.1 Broadband Surf products prohibit the use of file sharing (peer-2-peer) applications or access to any USENET service other than the text feed offered by us. We will actively block such applications and any new applications or services of similar purpose. 6.2.2 In order to maximise service availability for all Customers on our more popular Services, Plusnet operates 'idle time-outs' on its ADSL Home Surf service. This works by automatically disconnecting sessions which have been inactive for more than thirty minutes. You will be able to reconnect straight away if you wish. 6.3 "Broadband Plus" Service Usage 6.3.1 Broadband Plus is an entry-level residential ADSL Internet access package, designed for fast web browsing, speedy email collection and to offer a general improvement over the technology available through standard dial-up Internet access. 6.3.2 Broadband Plus is not designed to sustain prolonged high-bandwidth, heavy-usage applications such as continuous Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing, streaming video, binary downloads or other intensive uses. 6.3.3 Broadband Plus is designed to ensure that Customers using the package as intended receive the optimum experience. High-bandwidth use, as outlined above, is therefore not recommended. Where the Service has been deemed to have been used inappropriately or to the detriment of the overall Service, Plusnet reserves the right to take action against the account in question. 6.3.4 In order to maximise service availability for all Customers on our more popular Services, Plusnet operates 'idle time-outs'. This works by automatically disconnecting sessions which have been inactive for more than thirty minutes. You will be able to reconnect straight away if you wish. 6.3.5 In the event of abnormal loads additional rate limits to those on our expected speeds page may be required.

I don't care if Plusnet are run from Outer Mongolia, it's still a BT company. The author of this article clearly forgets the problems they had in 2007 which hit the news headlines around the world, when, after being acquired by BT in March 2007 they subsequently had a security breach in May when millions of customers had their details stolen by someone harvesting addresses to send spam advertising e-mails. Plusnet has, on a number of occasions, redefined their product usage guidelines in order to reflect changes in overall customer usage or in the costs they incur from their suppliers. This has resulted in customers being asked to restrict their usage, upgrade to a different product, or, leave the company entirely. This practice has become common within the ISP market in the UK and is generally accepted, however, Plusnet has sometimes made these changes without warning, or, notice to their customers, Plusnet has argued that the changes made didn't require any notice to be given, because, they don't consider them to form part of the legal contract with the consumer. That's the type of company they are, a chip off the old BT block if ever I saw one.