Download allowance query

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 14:34:40

I signed up to IDNet on the Home Light package. At the beginning of February '10 the allowances were increased to 10GB Peak, 30GB off peak for a total of 40GB.
During March I was advised that my exchange had been ADSL2+/WBC enabled and that I could upgrade to the new Home Plus package giving allowances of 15GB+65GB=80GB. However, as I am on a very long line but have a very stable line and connection I decided not to upgrade as I was not going to gain very much in the way of a speed increase.
This morning I checked in the IDNet Portal on how much allowance I have left as I have been downloading rather heavily for two days and was surprised to see this when I clicked on 'Your Package'

Package Details
Package: Home Lite (WBC ADSL MAX)
Premium Broadband: No
ADSL2+: Yes
Bandwidth Allowance: 80GB Total (Peak: 15GB / Off Peak: 65GB )
Package Monthly Cost: £17.99 (£15.31 ex vat)
(Note: this is the standard cost of package you are on.)

That gives me as having the WBC upgrade Home Plus allowances on my Home Lite package

Would that be correct or is it a mistake? I know I can query it on Tuesday but I would like to take advantage of what download allowance is available before the end of the month if I can.

Rik · May 30, 2010, 14:41:42

It may be that you have been migrated onto the hostlink whilst retaining your Max modulation. I believe that would get you the extra bandwidth, but leave you on the same package. Sadly, though, Ian, I can't give you a definitive answer, so the best I can suggest is an email to support.

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 14:58:31

Thanks for reply Rik. That is much what I suspect but will give support a ring sometime on Tuesday.
Actually what I have been downloading is the entire 106 shows that Bob Dylan recorded for his Theme Time Radio Hour programs which you may be aware were such a hit in America. I had heard a couple of them before and found a legal host for them on Friday and have been downloading them in Zips one at a time and transferring them to a memory stick for safe keeping to burn as and when I want. Mostly old time and some quite obscure songs, all centered around each programs theme. Haven't enjoyed listening so much for a long time.

Rik · May 30, 2010, 15:09:09

An email might get you the answer later today, Ian.

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 15:34:37

An e-mail it is then Rik

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 19:44:38

Had a positive reply from Martin?

As you said Rik I was moved to WBC with ADSL modulation. To explain it simply for the ignorant (me)

what exactly does that mean. If I still have a stable trouble free connection would this indicate that to actually move over to WBC would be a relatively trouble free experience or am I now getting as fast a speed as I am likely to get.

Steve · May 30, 2010, 19:54:48

They've moved you across to WBC but its setup so the connection acts as it did previously i.e adslmax. It's probably best to post your router stats to allow us to estimate if your likely to see any benefit by going to adsl2+. It may mean you'll get a much higher download speed it may not, conversely adsl2+ is more sensitive to interference than adsl and has caused reduced performance for a few.

The reason behind the move is that as exchanges get converted it is more costly for the ISP to maintain customers on the old adsl plus the old equipment is removed and thus not available.

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 20:32:49

Steve, router stats below. The line attenuation now shows as 57, before my exchange went to WBC a couple of months ago it usually showed as 62. Perhaps BT got rid of a couple of miles of surplus wiring in the exchange

Will probably give IDNet a call on Tuesday or Wednesday see what they think, it's not urgent so when I have spare time will do. I imagine Customer Service first day after the weekend is a bit like the doctors surgery - hectic.

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Steve · May 30, 2010, 21:14:22

I don't think you'll see much benefit from adsl2+, perhaps an additional 500k on the downstream sync if your lucky,since you've got the WBC allowance already the only benefit then would be a higher upstream sync which may be useful if your running a server from home or file sharing.

Rik · May 30, 2010, 21:41:09

Steve has summed it up perfectly, Ian.

DarkStar · May 30, 2010, 22:20:54

Thats much as I expected so having a nice stable connection and not having any need for a faster upload speed I'll stay where I am till I have to move over. By then perhaps I'll be in line for FTTC or even FTTH - dream on

Rik · May 30, 2010, 22:29:27

I hope to be by the end of the year.

DarkStar · May 31, 2010, 11:26:56

I don't think there is much hope for fibre here Rik. Even if they enable the Stowmarket exchange it would only make economic sense to connect the thousands of houses within a mile or so of the exchange. I am 3 miles from the exchange with only a couple of properties in between and as Bob Dylan sings - "Beyond Here Lies Nothing". My village is virtually the end of the line. But, so be it. I could never live in a town again after 40 years, fast broadband or not, it would suffocate the life out of me and my wife.

Rik · May 31, 2010, 11:29:02

That I can understand, Ian. We all have to balance our priorities. For me, it's a stable BB line, I don't need massive speed. That's not to say I will be able to resist moving to fibre if it becomes available, of course.