Customers of UK ISP Plusnet look set to celebrate after the provider increased usage allowances on its broadband packages. The move is in response to the explosion of streaming activity generated by sites such as the BBC’s iPlayer.

The ISP has increased the usage allowances on its Option 2 (up to 15GB from 8GB), Option 3 (increased to 30GB from 20GB) and Pro (up to 15GB from 10GB) packages. Prices remain unchanged and overnight usage continues to be free. Plusnet also warned that many users of were unaware of how much they downloaded and risked "surprises in their broadband bills":


We applaud PlusNet's move, which will no doubt make many of their customers very happy and shows that having the right economic model is important when adapting to new consumer trends (Tiscali take note).

The company’s current network statistics show iPlayer usage now accounts for 10% of its overall traffic – an indication of how streaming TV over the Internet is on the cusp of real mass-market adoption. PlusNet will be publishing more details of how internet usage changed in March and April next week.

PlusNet has also launched a Broadband Calculator, available at http://www.mybroadbandusage.co.uk . The site also has a league table of high bandwidth applications advising on typical usage for one hour of streaming TV, online radio, general browsing or downloading music.