I have used the BT broadband Option 1 package with 10GB monthly usage limit for a couple of years now and generally been happy with it. It's been the only 100% reliable ISP I've ever had here. I can't really afford a higher priced package and I'm contracted to BT.

I had never gone over the 10GB usage limit before April. In April, May and June I was charged for the extra usage. I contacted BT and negotiated a refund. Fair enough.

But, only three days into July I've already used 1GB- meaning I've only got 9GB to last until 31st July.

I figured out that the reason for the over-usage was that I started to use the iPlayer and Absolute Radio's playback a lot. So, I've cut both of those out. I do not upload or download files or P2P stuff.

How can I make sure I don't go over the limit again? 10GB was more than enough before April, and now I'm going back to the same amount/surfing I did before April.

I do usually have about 2 or 3 IE windows open- but then I've always done this. I'm beginning to wonder if someone is using my Wireless Router, too....?

Any tips?

See the 'orange complaints' thread I replied to to stop download hogging sites. You could hit 1gb in a day with iplayer or radio streaming. You'd need something like the Belkin N-vision I was talking about as that displays what you've downloaded in the last 24 hours.

Thanks Sparky.

I've just read the Help Forum on the BT website and there are 100s of people complaining in a similar way to me. Most seem to think that the BT Usage Monitor is inaccurate.

http://community.bt.com/t5/Other-BB-...ate/m-p/150563

Could BT inflate the usage records to entice you to upgrade packages? Illegal, but......?

I am genuinely only using the net as much as I did before April. I've not used the iPlayer since May 27th.

It is now at a point where I am scared to even watch a few music videos on YouTube.

I would not worry about that. I used to work for a major corporation and I can assure you that such a thing would not be even dreamt about - there is just too much to lose if caught.

You could keep a eye on your usage on the hub stat page, it shows the amount of data uploaded and downloaded since the hub was last reset, you need to add together both for your total usage,
you can get at your hub stats from a web browser...this may work
http://192.168.1.254
If you dont think your usage should take you over your 10Gb allowance (which isnt a huge amount TBH) you could have someone using your connection without your knowledge, may be worth changing your security settings etc, if your computer is set for auto updates, then you may be using up part of your 10Gb with them, I suppose the final thing could be your usage has always been over 10Gb but they never enforced it before, but now do

My router (Thomson 585) only keeps usage for current connection. I just looked at it, 200MB in 2days (rebooted router). Not very informative. It's usually much higher.

Other tools are available such as Netmeter and Networx.
Configure to only measure to/from the Internet, not traffic over Ethernet or Wireless to other computers or network drives in the house etc.

This thread has prompted me to reinstall my monitoring.
I didn't do it after clean install.

Money Saving Expert/Netmeter

Networx

BT won't charge you the first time that you exceed your limit but obviously they will thereafter.They send you a warning email once you exceed around 75% of your monthly allowance,don't know how other ISPs behave.

Sign up to my BT at the BT site and it will tell you the GBs you have used and the cost of calls you have made. I use that.
I moved from 40gb a month to unlimited when I change from BTs up to 20mb a month to BTs Infinity open 2 unlimited up to 40mb in March.
I have still never gone over 40gb a month but have been well over 10gb most moths. Even now that im on Infinity option 2.
10gb monthly download would be no good to me as I use the weather app on my Pure Sensia a lot. I also listen to internet radio via the Sensia now and again and use BBCi player/Youtoube once in a while and I also download songs once or twice a month.
My sisters on same package as you Gary and shes only uses 7gb/8gb a month as shes not online as much as I am.

Darren

I have been living with the same problem. My solution is:-

1. Limit the download in iPlayer.

When watching TV with iPlayer, before playing the programme, click the "lower bandwidth link" at the bottom (above the BBC © 2011 at the bottom of the page). It will change to a link to change back to "Normal bandwidth".

It will stay on this setting until you close your browser.
It will be lower quality video, but for me I don't notice because I watch from about 6 foot away.

2. Monitor you usage.

Log into you My BT Account, click the "My Services" tab, click the green "Broadband" button on the left, click the "View your broadband usage" Bottom left.
I have taken it up to 9.8GB the day before the end of the month, been OK for me.


I find I can watch about an hour of iPlayer TV a day like this, but I don't want to watch too much TV, so it suits me.

Rod

Virgin been advertising heavily last week or two. I can't get it, BT line only.

But it looked alright.

I will stick with AOL as I have done for last 10 yrs. Dialup then BB. Surrey then Devon.
And in spite of the many crap slaggings, they have been alright for me.

(Standard is capped 10GB now I believe. I am still old Unlimited (fair use) but new £12 price.
18 month upgrade has expired now, so will quit if someone comes up with 'cannot refuse' deal.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/tbbmeter.html

Use the usage meter - you can set various alarms- eg. a daily limit etc.

Thanks guys.

Some malware can ramp up your usage as it sends and receives data on the fly. If you're not downloading large files then 10gb should be sufficient for a normal month's browsing.
I'd be tempted to run a MBAM scan just to rule it out.

I'm currently on the 40gb per month usage allowance and quite often go well above that, and sure enough pay through the nose for it. However I can't upgrade to the unlimited option without signing a new contract tying me in for another 18 months, which seems harsh.

How good or bad is the broadband with 10gb limit uaed in conjunction with the home hub offering free wifi used as a BT Wifi Hotspot?

Is it effectively high quality unlimited broadband?

My monthly limit is 10gb
This month I have used 6gb -never go over 8.
On a regular basis I get e mail from bt stating I am approaching
my monthly limit and should consider paying the extra for unlimited use.

Money their motive ??????

I only pay £10 a month for BT Unlimited Broadband.

I was paying much more for the first 12 months but then threatened to leave and they've reduced it. Go for their top package for the first year, and then you'll get a lower rate thereafter.

No it is 10GB limit. EVERYTHING counts.

I have just posted an similar thread before reading all these suggestions which have been of help.

I don't think that BT are playing the game here, and as has been suggested, I feel that we are all paying for the sports set-up.

No way I could be on a 10GB a month download limit as 9 times out of 10 I use at lest 20GB a month or just over that. With downloading songs at lest once a week. Using YouTube at times and now and again internet radio. I do at times use catch up players on my PC or on the Samsung Smart TV in my bedroom that I got the other week but I tend to try and watch catch up via the YouView box in living room as catch up players on that don't count towards the monthly limit as I have the BT TV player unlimited package.
I also use the Last FM site and the Last FM Scrobbler don't know if that count towards the limit but I could guess it also dose.
My internet usage has gone up in the last year or so by at lest 5 or 6gb a month.
My sister moved to same as im on Infinity unlimited usage 14 months ago when fiber came to her area and she has seen her monthly usage increase by at lest 2gb a month.

Darren

I used to use 6 to 30GB a month back in 2012 but have just checked my main PC usage over the last 6 months, using Netmeter. it's been 250GB to 600 GB a month! This month to date is 245GB and doesn't even include laptops tablets or Sky On Demand - so it could be double that for all I know!

I just use the net for everything without thinking. iPlayer, BT Sport, Sky Sports, anything I fancy and often in HD. I don't know how anyone could manage in this day and age without an unlimited broadband or fibre package.

Go Unlimited is my advice to the O/P, preferably with fibre.

Im already just over 20GB for this month and theres still about a week of the month still to go and that's due to me getting a new Samsung smart TV for my bedroom about 2 weeks ago.

Darren

My usage is usually under 10GB/month. I sometimes use more, but that is for downloads. Up to the 24th of this month the usage figure shows UPLOADS of 6.5GB. At my upload speed of 44kbps, that would take about 10 or 12 DAYS of continuous uploading. It goes without saying that I have not uploaded anything bigger than normal emails (no vast attachments!), and no videos, or huge photos. I don't use any cloud facilites either. The router was rebooted a few days ago, and shows trivial amounts of upload traffic. I am at a loss to think what could have caused this sudden leap in upload traffic. I have active virus software (Webroot Secureanywhere). Any ideas?

Hi Folks Newbie on here but long time watcher.
I have left BT and gone for unlimited Fibre with another company. When I rang them about the additional charges guy on the other end said tough that is the contract you are on.£45.00 last bill for phone and 10GB fibre. No way am I paying that every month, over limit by grand-kids on YouTube.
Been with BT all my days and used to pay the full wack on the old ADSL.
I may go back to them after this contact ends, but will from now on shop around for the best deal.Only have to unplug one modem for another and back on line after about 6 hours of line.
They are very poor customer relations.

This country is really rubbish for broadband.

The cheapest packages are useless if you want to use the connection for watching streaming videos. 10GBs will get used up pretty quickly if you start doing that every day. The cheapest packages will only be suitable for web surfing. If you want to watch online videos, get an unlimited package.