Ask Our Expert

Broadband download limits

Dear Michael, We have a 20GB download allowance but members of the family are using it too much and coming too close to going over the limit.

Is there anyway that BT can put a freeze on the usage so that there it’s not possible to go over the limit? I know phone providers can do this but I don’t know if it’s possible with broadband.

Garry, via email on 14 December 2009

Our Broadband Expert says...

Unfortunately it isn’t possible to set a limit on the amount that you download - and if you do go over your allowance with BT Broadband (www.BT.com) you will be charged £1 per extra GB.

Monitor your downloads

However, there are steps that you can take, such as monitoring your downloads to help you avoid going over your limit.

Install our free Broadband Download Monitor - it lets you see how much you’ve downloaded over the month and even lets you set an alarm to make sure that you don’t go over your limit.

You should be aware though; the Broadband Download Monitor tracks how much each individual computer has downloaded. This means that if you're using more than one computer, over a wireless broadband connection, that you'll have to monitor your downloads separately on each PC and add them up to see how much you’ve used altogether.

Switch broadband package

An even easier way to make sure that you don’t go over your limit is to switch to a package with a higher download allowance or “unlimited broadband” downloads - though you will be subject to a fair usage policy.

If you have a 20GB download allowance on your BT package, then you must be on Option 2. You can upgrade to Option 3, which offers “unlimited” downloads, though this will cost you more each month and there are cheaper alternatives.

Compare broadband packages



	Broadband + Phone - Essentials Package	Talk and Surf - Calls + Broadband	Premium - O2 mobile customers only
Monthly charge	£6.99 Special Offer Free Connection Ends Soon	£7.49 for 3 months	£10.00 £50 credit off your Mobile bill Ends 31/03/10
Speed (up to)	24Mb	20Mb	20Mb
Usage limit	40GB	10GB	unlimited
Contract length	18 months	18 months	12 months

	Call TalkTalk 0800 049 7843	Call BT on 0800 028 2122

Set download allowances

Boosting your download allowance doesn’t have to break the bank; TalkTalk Broadband's (www.TalkTalk.co.uk) Essentials package, which comes with 8Mb broadband and a generous 40GB download allowance, costs just £6.99 a month and even includes free local calls and evening and weekend UK landline calls.

And if you find that you need an even bigger download allowance or a faster download speed, you can add a Boost to your package to push your speed to up to 24Mb or double your download allowance.

Alternatively, TalkTalk’s Pro package offers up to 24Mb broadband all the time, and "unlimited broadband" downloads for just £14.99 a month and comes with inclusive anytime UK landline calls and cheaper calls to mobiles.

“Unlimited” downloads

O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) is a great option if you want to go for an “unlimited” broadband package. It has won a host of awards for its fast, reliable broadband and excellent customer service, and also offers great discounts for existing O2 customers.

O2’s packages come with either up to 8Mb or 20Mb broadband and its fair usage policy is very generous - perfect for a family of downloaders, gamers and online TV streamers.