Ask Our Expert

How can I monitor my internet usage?

Our Broadband Expert says...

A year from now mobile devices will nearly equal PCs and laptops as people’s preferred internet access device, according to the August GlobalWebIndex report from marketers Trendstream.

As such it is not surprising that you find yourself using a lot of different devices to access the internet through your broadband connection.

It is also a sensible idea to check that your existing broadband package is still meeting your needs now that you're connecting in so many new ways.

Research by Broadbandchoices.co.uk released in January found that most broadband users on an “unlimited” package were wasting their money on an unnecessarily high-end service.

But without knowing just how much data you use each month, you won’t be able to compare packages and find an alternative deal that suits your needs.

Does my provider measure my internet usage?

Most of the major internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK that offer set download limits will also provide you with a way of monitoring your own internet usage.

This will usually involve logging into your account via your ISP’s website. If you do not have an online account with your ISP already you will need to sign-up.

Your online account is likely to include some form of usage tool that will measure how much internet traffic has gone through your router in total, even if you have been using wireless broadband.

BT broadband (www.BT.com), Sky broadband (www.Sky.com) and TalkTalk broadband (www.Talktalk.co.uk) all provide these kinds of tools to make sure you don’t end up downloading too much.

Will my provider warn me when I get close to my internet usage allowance?

Most major providers with a set download allowance will send you an email when you are close to your limit and again when you’ve used it up.

For example, BT will send an email to your primary BT email address if you use up 80% of your allowance in a month and again if you exceed your allowance.

Sky go even further - if you use up your monthly allowance, the provider will send you an email for the next five months to let you know when you have used 70% of your allowance.

Through Sky’s online Usage Tool you can also set up extra email alerts to warn you when you have used up 50%, 75% and 90% of your allowance.

If your package came with an email address then the chances are that your provider will send any warnings about your internet usage to that account. However, this can usually be switched to an address of your choice via your providers’ website.

If your package did not include an email account then it is likely that notification emails will be sent to the address you gave when signing up with your provider.

Can I monitor my internet usage if I have unlimited downloads?

Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com) doesn’t offer its own download monitor because all its packages provide unlimited broadband.

But while you don’t need worry about going over your download limit with an unlimited package, many come with a fair usage policy, meaning your speed could be “throttled”, or slowed down, if you download too much.

Some providers that offer unlimited broadband may also operate a traffic management policy, designed to ensure that all customers get the best possible service at all times.

This means that, during peak times such as weekday evenings, your provider will “moderate the speeds” of users that are downloading or uploading an unusually high amount.

What uses up my download limit?

Remember that 1024MB equals 1GB and that it isn’t just the actual downloading of files that uses data. Each webpage you visit, or picture you upload to Facebook for example, also use data that counts towards your monthly allowance.

What if my provider doesn’t offer a way of monitoring internet usage?

If your internet service provider doesn’t offer a way of monitoring your internet traffic, you need the Broadbandchoices.co.uk Broadband Download Monitor.

By downloading this free tool, you will be able to track your data and will be alerted when you get close to your download limit, if you have one.

The monitor can only be installed on your computer though, so will only measure your internet usage through that device.

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