Joined mid-month... bandwidth cap pro-rated?

PeterNem · Dec 28, 2007, 17:07:50

All, I understand that the 30gb monthly cap is done by calendar month.

What I have not been able to ascertain is how this affects new members who join mid month. I understand that next month my cap will start on the 1st and run until this end of the month. What I am not clear on is whether this month my cap is pro-rated (e.g., if I joined half way through the month do I only have 15gb until the end of the month), or am I still able to use the full amount.

If I have the full 30 gigs available despite joining mid-month then I may as well use it, but I want to be sure first...

Rik · Dec 28, 2007, 17:09:38

Have you had a look at your accounts page, Peter?

Log in at:

https://www.idnet.net/secure/

Adam · Dec 28, 2007, 17:11:43

If you paid the full amount for the first month I'd be pretty certain you have the full 30GB. If you paid for only the remaining days then I wouldn't be so sure.

g7pkf · Dec 28, 2007, 17:12:28

We don't want high downloaders here...

Inactive · Dec 28, 2007, 17:18:48

I will extend a warm welcome to you Peter, even if them others don't

.

Have a Welcome Karma as well..

g7pkf · Dec 28, 2007, 17:21:14

Hmm i bet you agree with me deep down

PeterNem · Dec 28, 2007, 17:27:08

Quote from: Rik on Dec 28, 2007, 17:09:38
Have you had a look at your accounts page, Peter?

Log in at:

https://www.idnet.net/secure/

Hi Rik,

Yes I have, it doesn't really make it clear....

Quote
During the time period 22 December 2007 to 28 December 2007 your bandwidth use was:
6.59 GB Download - (Peak: 4.84 GB | Off-Peak: 1.75 GB)

These figures cover 6 days. If the same rate of usage continues for 31 days then the total for the month will be:
34.07 GB Download - (Peak: 25.0 GB | Off-Peak: 9.07 GB)

All well and good, but this report doesn't seem to take into account the mid-month issue, and just blindly multiplies the amount downloaded by (1/(6/31)) therefore not answering my question.

Don't worry - I don't plan on making a habbit of downloading much... the connection is at my parents house and I sorted it for them as they were previously with Eclipse who have gone massively downhill. I'm only here for two weeks, after which their usage I suspect will be negligible. I'm lucky enough that my own flat is on an LLU exchange so I have a properly unlimited ADSL2+ service to monopolise instead

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 28, 2007, 17:18:48
I will extend a warm welcome to you Peter, even if them others don't .

<3

Ann · Dec 28, 2007, 23:04:40

It's a good question. An email to IDNet would no doubt elicit a response very quickly and then you could let us know the answer so that we know next time someone asks.

I was with Eclipse until a few months ago too.. they started off promising but took a sharp downturn quite quickly.

Rik · Dec 28, 2007, 23:40:30

My own bet is that they will pro-rata it, but as I migrated in on the 2nd, it's never something I had to resolve.

Broadback · Dec 29, 2007, 11:13:27

Does it matter? If you use lots, such that you may go over your limit then you will receive a weekly email from IDNet telling you so, also if you continue at that rate how much over you will be at then end of the month. So just go ahead and use what you want, then see if you get an email, if so and you don't wish to pay excess, cut down until the end of the month.

Simon · Dec 29, 2007, 12:12:34

The usage indicator does tend to have a knee jerk reaction to occasional high usage, but it evens out as the month goes on. As Broadback said, you'll get an email if you are threatening to exceed the monthly allowance.

BigAde · Dec 29, 2007, 14:35:10

Just joined t'other day (hello all, everything's good so far!

) and thought the same last night so would be interested if you get a reply.

Rik · Dec 29, 2007, 14:36:40

Hi, welcome to the forum and have a greetings karma.

Normally, I'd have got a definitive answer by now, but with the offices being closed, I'll wait till next week.

Simon · Dec 29, 2007, 15:10:13

Ade, and

ducky22 · Dec 29, 2007, 15:32:33

I can give a definite answer :-P.

I migrated in a few months ago nearer the end of the month and got my full download allowance. In 15 days I used 28gb and it reset again on the 1st of the month so you've got nothing to worry about!

Rik · Dec 29, 2007, 15:35:40

Thanks, Ducky.

Inactive · Dec 29, 2007, 16:39:16

Quote from: BigAde on Dec 29, 2007, 14:35:10
Just joined t'other day (hello all, everything's good so far! ) and thought the same last night so would be interested if you get a reply.

A warm welcome, have another Karma.

BigAde · Dec 29, 2007, 18:18:52

Thanks for the nod Ducky and to the others for the warm welcome greetings and Karmas.

Now where's that speed scheduler tick box..........

Rik · Dec 29, 2007, 18:20:34

Behind the oscillating discombobulator over in the corner there?

ducky22 · Dec 29, 2007, 20:57:55

As a new year thing I'm hoping IDNet will increase caps or even better, combine the 30gb peak/30gb off peak on the supermax product so you can use it anytime! go us bandwidth hogs :-P.

Adam · Dec 29, 2007, 22:11:37

Quote from: ducky22 on Dec 29, 2007, 20:57:55
As a new year thing I'm hoping IDNet will increase caps or even better, combine the 30gb peak/30gb off peak on the supermax product so you can use it anytime! go us bandwidth hogs :-P.

The caps IDNet have aren't all that bad for the cost, at least with the Home Max package. The caps on the Home Supermax package are also pretty good, but I think the time limitations let it down. If IDNet did decide to increase the allowance I wouldn't be complaining.

ducky22 · Dec 29, 2007, 22:38:32

Quote from: Adam on Dec 29, 2007, 22:11:37
The caps IDNet have aren't all that bad for the cost, at least with the Home Max package. The caps on the Home Supermax package are also pretty good, but I think the time limitations let it down. If IDNet did decide to increase the allowance I wouldn't be complaining.

Oh there is definitely no disputing that! I've just found the peak allowance mounts up very quickly for me.

Ann · Dec 29, 2007, 22:41:22

If IDNet raise the limit on the lower package I'd end up downgrading so they'd better be careful or they'd lose as much as they gain.

Simon · Dec 29, 2007, 22:50:55

Quote from: Adam on Dec 29, 2007, 22:11:37
The caps IDNet have aren't all that bad for the cost, at least with the Home Max package. The caps on the Home Supermax package are also pretty good, but I think the time limitations let it down. If IDNet did decide to increase the allowance I wouldn't be complaining.

TBH, I think it's fair. If people were downloading non-stop during peak hours, wouldn't that have an impact on other users?

Adam · Dec 29, 2007, 23:47:45

Quote from: Simon on Dec 29, 2007, 22:50:55
TBH, I think it's fair. If people were downloading non-stop during peak hours, wouldn't that have an impact on other users?

I'm not aware of the IDNet network peak time utilization, but in general it would have more of an impact during peak time simply because there are more users online and more people to notice it. If everyone started downloading all night then there'd be a slow down in non-peak hours.

Simon · Dec 30, 2007, 00:08:10

Quote from: Adam on Dec 29, 2007, 23:47:45
I'm not aware of the IDNet network peak time utilization, but in general it would have more of an impact during peak time simply because there are more users online and more people to notice it. If everyone started downloading all night then there'd be a slow down in non-peak hours.

True, but if everyone was downloading all night (I'm talking about downloading as in music, films, etc), a) there wouldn't be the usual daytime traffic to contend with, and b) if night time usage became predominant, then the peak / non-peak hours would eventually be reversed. My point being?? Haven't a clue really, I'm just rambling. I think I've got bird flu. I'm talking rubbish, and this evening, I couldn't park the car.

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 00:52:43

Quote from: Ann on Dec 29, 2007, 22:41:22
If IDNet raise the limit on the lower package I'd end up downgrading so they'd better be careful or they'd lose as much as they gain.

Having increased it from 2GB to 5GB this year, Ann, I'd be surprised to see another increase - as you say, it could be expensive in two ways.

Inactive · Dec 30, 2007, 00:57:10

I personally think IDNet have it just about right now.

I would like to see a form of roll-over of unused bandwidth from month to month, other than that, it is fine for my needs.

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 00:59:35

I suspect a full rollover would be prohibitive, In, as they might find everyone saving their allowance for a month or two, then hitting the central all together. It would be nice to have a partial rollover, though, say 10-20% of the package.

Inactive · Dec 30, 2007, 01:03:51

My take on it Rik is; if someone has paid in full for a given allowance, then they should be able to use that allowance when ever, the total over a period would remain constant.

I have selfish reasons for this of course...

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 01:06:06

I take your point, In, but from a business pov, I don't see how it could be delivered without the risk of serious service degradation. If it were to be done, I suspect it would involve a general price increase to allow for the extra capacity which would have to be provided against possible, rather than predictable, use.

Inactive · Dec 30, 2007, 01:08:36

I posted it on a; If you don't ask, you don't get basis Rik.

Seriously, I am very happy with what I get from IDNet, no complaints.

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 01:09:39

Shame SimonD isn't around to read the thread.

PeterNem · Dec 30, 2007, 01:11:24

Quote from: ducky22 on Dec 29, 2007, 15:32:33
I can give a definite answer :-P.

I migrated in a few months ago nearer the end of the month and got my full download allowance. In 15 days I used 28gb and it reset again on the 1st of the month so you've got nothing to worry about!

Awesome, thanks very much

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 30, 2007, 01:03:51

I have selfish reasons for this of course...

Would your reasons be as selfish as mine? I'm only home 1 weekend a month, then for slightly longer periods occasionally (xmas, easter). All my parents do is light browsing and email, so I can't see them going over 5gb/month, but I've put them on the 30gig package to allow for when I am home.

It's easier to tell them it's 24.99 per month, than to tell them it's less than that, but then some months when I'm home it will cost them more!

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 01:13:46

Hi Peter

I've just had confirmation from IDNet, you get the full allowance for the month, regardless of the date on which you join. Obviously, it would be sensible not to join on the 31st, therefore!

Inactive · Dec 30, 2007, 01:22:15

Quote from: PeterNem on Dec 30, 2007, 01:11:24

Would your reasons be as selfish as mine? I'm only home 1 weekend a month, then for slightly longer periods occasionally (xmas, easter).

I am out of the country on a regular basis Peter, usually for 3 weeks at a time, hence my selfish request.

ducky22 · Dec 30, 2007, 02:17:14

Quote from: Adam on Dec 29, 2007, 23:47:45
I'm not aware of the IDNet network peak time utilization, but in general it would have more of an impact during peak time simply because there are more users online and more people to notice it. If everyone started downloading all night then there'd be a slow down in non-peak hours.

Quite true... I can see myself upgrading further to IDNet's 'unlimited' business service. But i'd be nice if I didn't have to :-P. FYI, other ISPs encourage off peak downloading by removing limits completely - ie. plusnet. On their 1gb/month package you can download as much as you want during off peak hours.

Adam · Dec 30, 2007, 02:20:11

Quote from: Rik on Dec 30, 2007, 01:06:06
I take your point, In, but from a business pov, I don't see how it could be delivered without the risk of serious service degradation. If it were to be done, I suspect it would involve a general price increase to allow for the extra capacity which would have to be provided against possible, rather than predictable, use.

I doubt a roll-over for 1 month would have much effect, although I'm not sure how much capacity IDNet has last, or how fast it is being filled.

Something I've mentioned in the past is how IDNet is somewhat closed about their network. There are many small to medium ISPs which share their network information openly, even some of the bigger ISPs do. My original request was, admittedly, almost 2 years ago so perhaps I should try again in the new year to see if they are willing to share any information.

Adam · Dec 30, 2007, 02:26:20

Quote from: ducky22 on Dec 30, 2007, 02:17:14
Quite true... I can see myself upgrading further to IDNet's 'unlimited' business service. But i'd be nice if I didn't have to :-P. FYI, other ISPs encourage off peak downloading by removing limits completely - ie. plusnet. On their 1gb/month package you can download as much as you want during off peak hours.

The uncapped business package looks somewhat expensive, and that does not include VAT. It would be nice if ISPs hadn't moved to a charging system which revolves around usage, though I believe it to be partly BT's fault.

A few ISPs offer off-peak incentives, another example would be entanet who set very high limits for off-peak downloads. I'd like to see the performance of the mentioned ISPs networks during off-peak times; I'd be willing to bet the speeds drop significantly.

colirv · Dec 30, 2007, 08:49:03

Quote from: Adam on Dec 30, 2007, 02:20:11
Something I've mentioned in the past is how IDNet is somewhat closed about their network. There are many small to medium ISPs which share their network information openly, even some of the bigger ISPs do.

And are they as good as IDNet? I doubt it. I think IDNet should be left to run the service their way, which seems to benefit all of us.

Adam · Dec 30, 2007, 08:51:52

Quote from: colirv on Dec 30, 2007, 08:49:03
And are they as good as IDNet? I doubt it. I think IDNet should be left to run the service their way, which seems to benefit all of us.

I have nothing against the way IDNet run their network, in fact it is indeed better than most. I simply would like to know more about the network out of interest, though I'm not all that bothered if they give me information or not.

Simon · Dec 30, 2007, 11:50:22

Just to clarify the SuperMax day / night split, are users paying for, essentially, two separate allowances, i.e., if someone downloaded 40Gb during the off-peak hours, but only 5Gb during peak times, thus using a total of 45Gb of their 60Gb monthly allowance, would they then be charged for the 10Gb 'overdraft' they used during the off-peak hours, even though they still technically had 15Gb of total allowance left?

Rik · Dec 30, 2007, 11:55:12

My take on it would be that they had used more than their allowance, as it's split into two, and that they would be charged, but I'll try and get a definitive answer.

Rik · Jan 02, 2008, 11:23:33

I've now had confirmation that, if a user exceeds either part of their allowance on Home Super Max, then they are charged for excess bandwidth on that part, regardless of how much they use in total.

Simon · Jan 02, 2008, 21:52:26

Thanks Rik.