Posted: 25th Jul, 2006 By: MarkJ
The included data usage (cap) on PlusNet's Broadband PAYG products (Basic, Plus and Premier) is to be increased from 1st August 2006. Prices will stay the same and the move will impact both new and existing customers:
The highlights include an increase from 50MB to 450MB of included peak-time usage for PlusNets recently launched Broadband PAYG Basic product. Broadband Plus Option 1 will rise to 4GB and Premier Option 1 is going to 20GB. All products continue to have no fixed limits off peak.
These usage increases are made possible primarily by PlusNets Workplace platform managing its broadband network efficiently. All ISPs are now starting to manage their network traffic; PlusNet believes its implementation is leading the market.
Neil Armstrong, PlusNets Product Development Director, said: We are completely transparent about our network traffic management. To the degree that we publish a representation of the data transferred across our network on our website*. On our site you can clearly see how much, what type and when data is prioritised. No other ISP is doing this
The underlying cost of the wholesale broadband infrastructure has been relatively fixed this past couple of years due to a regulatory drive to make investment in LLU attractive. During the same period bandwidth demand has grown across the millions of ADSL broadband users. ISPs have needed to buy more bandwidth from BT Wholesale or restrict the usage per customer to accommodate the overall increase in data transfer. BT Wholesale have benefited from the economies of scale, but not passed on any cost benefit to ISPs.
Armstrong continued: "Its been frustrating to see a lack of value for money at the wholesale level, hold back Broadband Britain during the past year or so. Now due to the efficient way we deliver data, we can raise usage allowances in advance of expected cost reductions due next spring. UK consumers will no longer be held back.
The efficiency of PlusNets network management capability is also underpinned by savings gained by leveraging wholesale LLU. PlusNet is perfectly positioned to continually develop the value offered across its entire product range.
Armstrong continued: we believe our broadband products and associated line rental deals offer discerning internet users the best product proposition and value for money in the UK.
For more information or sign up to one of our services go to http://www.plus.net
* Data transferred across our network can be seen here: http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/network/broadband_bandwidth_usage.shtmlIm no fan of traffic management, mainly because of the universal way in which some ISPs have chosen to apply it (impacting light users, not just heavy ones). Still, PlusNets users will no doubt be pleased at having an extra data allowance with no hike in cost.