Price-comparison service uSwitch.com has slammed ISPs that offer 'unlimited' broadband deals only to impose usage restrictions.
Many broadband providers impose 'fair usage' policies on their customers, meaning that even those on unlimited packages may have their account restricted if they are deemed to be having an impact on other customers' speeds.
uSwitch said many ISPs hide these policies in the small print of contracts, often using terms such as 'very heavy users may have their usage restricted at peak times' or 'speed limiting restrictions may be applied within peak hours'.
A survey conducted by uSwitch found that 86 per cent of respondents had no idea about the restrictions on their broadband service.
Tim Wolfenden of uSwitch.com said: "The solution is easy, broadband companies should not be allowed to class their packages as unlimited if they are not.
"As providers aren't choosing to be fully transparent about this issue, people need to be savvy when choosing their broadband packages and pay close attention to the small print," he continued.
Wolfenden also criticised the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for letting ISPs get away with hiding fair usage policies.
The issue is compounded by the ASA. They currently let providers describe their services as 'unlimited' even if there is fair usage cap, as long as it is detailed in the small print," said Wolfenden.
www.uswitch.com www.asa.org.uk
Topic: ISPs' unlimited deals slammed (Read 994 times)