Site AdminJoined: 07 Apr 2006Posts: 784Location: United Kingdom
A tool that helps you avoid penalties by staying within your ISP's download limits has been launched.
The tool, which tells you how much you have downloaded over the course of a day, a week or a year, is free to download from BroadbandChoices.co.uk
According to the company, many people think they are on unlimited contracts so they can download as much as they want. However, most people are mistaken, because 75 per cent of broadband packages have some kind of cap on them, according to Michael Phillips, sales director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk.
"Even customers who have signed up to unlimited broadband packages can face fines under their provider's fair usage policy," said Phillips.
Phillips also suggested that ISPs are trying to cover the costs of offering ever-cheaper broadband deals by penalising customers that exceed limits.
"Broadband providers are offering supposedly cheap deals with one hand, but clawing the money back with penalties for downloading," he said.
The Software
The Broadband Download Monitor (BDM) is a tool that tracks your downloads and alerts you as you get near a limit that you set. If you’re thinking of switching broadband packages, you can also use it to measure your usage and see what limit you could comfortably cope with a new ISP.
Have you installed this software? Tell us what you think?
I personally use DU meter and have found it to be very good and customizable- either have it in the background or right in your face its up to you.
On another note (sorry to digress), seeing as many people are making use of the Livebox and are connecting up more than one pc, is there an app which will collectively measure the total bandwidth being used as opposed to individual pcs, a livebox hack to take readings? Theres got to be an easier way that going around each pc and taking down readings- way too much like meter reading man.
I'm not sure if the Live Box supports SNMP, however if it does you could try PRTG Traffic Grapher which will monitor traffic directly from the Live Box. I can't look myself as I'm no longer with Orange and had to return the Live Box... My Be connection goes live tomorrow
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