Tiscali Kicks Off BB "Hogs"

Neil · 09-02-2005, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Register

Tiscali UK has expelled "just over 500" broadband users for excessive use of the ISP's high-speed internet service. Those who've received their marching orders are being given the opportunity to leave Tiscali "without penalty.

The ISP says the bandwidth "hogs" have gorged on between 30 Gig and 150 Gig a month. At the same time, the average Tiscali UK punter uses less than a Gig a month.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/09/tiscali_hogs/

Millay · 09-02-2005, 11:20

damn beat me to it.

Its an interesting problem, these companies have to make money and we want lots of bandwith, well some of us do. Should we be expected to pay extra. I owuld happilly pay a little extra a month to get more bandwith as Im well aware that there is no such thing as a free lunch..

ian@huth · 09-02-2005, 11:24

Hmmm, wonder what the people who think that NTLs proposed caps are pathetic will think of this? Just think what will happen when all those users who are against any form of capping move to uncapped ISPs to be able to continue using vast amounts of bandwidth. There will probably be a domino affect as they search for their perfect ISP until such time as all ISPs have a cap.

TheBlueRaja · 09-02-2005, 11:25

Did them a favor if you ask me - Tiscali suck.

Thats terrible from Tiscali though - if your paying for an unmetered service you should be able to use it.

No other service i know kicks you off for using it too much.

ian@huth · 09-02-2005, 11:28

Plus Net are taking a different form of action with heavy users which will probably result in them seeking another ISP. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11...net_clampdown/ I know this is old news but it shows that ISPs are getting more concerned about usage levels.

TheBlueRaja · 09-02-2005, 11:44

Pehaps the users could sue them, it would make sense and would be an interesting case.

Irrespective of how many Gigs they have downloaded, they have paid for an unmetered service. It is the job of the service provider to provide the best level of service for those customers irrespective of how much they use it. To eject customers or to move them onto a crippled service is ethically wrong given that that customer has paid for the service.

Companies want to have their cake and eat it - thats the real problem here - you cant have them going round saying 29.99 for an uncapped service and then removing users who take advantage of that.

You dont see BT kicking you off their network for using the phone too much, and why, because their pricing policy protects the network.

The fault here lies at the feet of the service provider not the end user.

In fact its a bloody disgrace.

If you paid for unlimited phone calls at 30 quid a month and then got complaints from BT because you used it to constantly be in touch with someone would you be happy?

ian@huth · 09-02-2005, 11:52

If you have read the Register article you will have seen that it says

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Register

"It is therefore necessary for us to protect the service for the other 99 per cent considerate users by establishing an acceptable guideline for use and serve notice of termination, which we are able to do within the scope of our current and previous Terms and Conditions, for those who are affecting the quality of service for the rest."

Every uncapped ISP could get rid of its heavy users in the same way if they so desire and it is quite legal for them to do so.

TheBlueRaja · 09-02-2005, 12:12

They can say what they like in the T&C's, but they advertise it as an Uncapped service.

Therefore its false advertising is it not?

SMHarman · 09-02-2005, 12:14

Interesting that at the lower level they were on the border of acceptable usage within the NTL current and proposed limits and that many of these using say under 50Gb depending on their patterns would probably have been left alone by NTL.

ian@huth · 09-02-2005, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

They can say what they like in the T&C's, but they advertise it as an Uncapped service.

Therefore its false advertising is it not?

The terms and conditions are the important bit and breach of those can result in termination. Words used in advertising can be challenged but even if successful it doesn't get you your internet connection back.

Neil · 09-02-2005, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

They can say what they like in the T&C's, but they advertise it as an Uncapped service.

Therefore its false advertising is it not?

Not really, as Tiscali's Ts & Cs state that they can do something if you are affecting the service of others-that's what you signed up to from day one.

The difference between Tiscali's & ntl's, is that ntl changed the AUP/Ts & Cs late on a Friday without telling anyone-regardless of what you signed up for/to.......

Legally OK?-probably.

Morally OK?-definately not.

The answer for heavy downloaders in not just to find an uncapped ISP, bit to find one that offers the choice of paying extra for an uncapped service, such as Pipex/Plus Net etc etc.

TheBlueRaja · 09-02-2005, 12:27

Who would you complain to about false advertising anyway?

Ofcom state that you need to contact "The ISP" first but as their all at it this is a more general query.

Neil · 09-02-2005, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

Who would you complain to about false advertising anyway?

Ofcom state that you need to contact "The ISP" first but as their all at it this is a more general query.

The Advertising Standards Agency I would presume.

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/

TheBlueRaja · 09-02-2005, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Not really, as Tiscali's Ts & Cs state that they can do something if you are affecting the service of others-that's what you signed up to from day one.

The difference between Tiscali's & ntl's, is that ntl changed the AUP/Ts & Cs late on a Friday without telling anyone-regardless of what you signed up for/to.......

Legally OK?-probably.

Morally OK?-definately not.

The answer for heavy downloaders in not just to find an uncapped ISP, bit to find one that offers the choice of paying extra for an uncapped service, such as Pipex/Plus Net etc etc.

Hold on though, and this reaches the crux of it, the user is not affecting the service of others are they? The ISP itself is the problem as they are unable to supply a service which they have advertised as available due to end users using it as advertised.

Why is it the users fault? They have paid their money for an uncapped service and are using it as such.

You can't blame the end users of a service who use it as advertised.

Neil · 09-02-2005, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

Hold on though, and this reaches the crux of it, the user is not affecting the service of others are they? The ISP itself is the problem as they are unable to supply a service which they have advertised as available due to end users using it as advertised.

Why is it the users fault? They have paid their money for an uncapped service and are using it as such.

You can't blame the end users of a service who use it as advertised.

But how do you know that their uber leeching wasn't affecting the service of others in their area/exchange?

I'm not suggesting that was the case here, & I am totally against caps ETC, I am just playing Devil's Advocate.