Sky Broadband Changes - 22nd June

[Mr Spouse]

Originally Posted by NewsreadeR

How often do other ISPs do this?

I don't know one that has increased its price and then taken away 75% of the usage limit, all within less than 5 months.

Minimum contract terms are common. So are escape clauses if the terms change. Can't recall exact details now but I went through several packages with PlusNet. They didn't force explicit changes in the way Sky are doing now but messed around a lot with traffic shaping and contention ratios, making peak time use on the 'old' packages almost useless on occasions. They also got into fair use policy arguments on their user forums on a regular basis.

[NewsreadeR]

Originally Posted by Mr Spouse

Minimum contract terms are common. So are escape clauses if the terms change. Can't recall exact details now but I went through several packages with PlusNet. They didn't force explicit changes in the way Sky are doing now but messed around a lot with traffic shaping and contention ratios, making peak time use on the 'old' packages almost useless on occasions. They also got into fair use policy arguments on their user forums on a regular basis.

I left Plusnet about 4 and a half years ago, (in fact its probably longer than that) when they did the dirty on their customers, and put the biggest downloaders on a naughty pipe, and then denied any type of shaping. They would also deny advertising unlimited packages, although that was one of the reasons that I joined Plusnet. Plusnet learnt a huge lesson by that exercise, and eventually apologised years later to their customers.

Plusnet also had legacy packages, so if the spec changed and you didn't know about it your terms etc stayed the same, I actually respect them for that reason.

However, Sky possibly, either don't have the technology to offer legacy products or they just want to get people to upgrade to Max, for imho not policing or differentiating properly the products over the last 3 years or so. Either way they are just repeating what Plusnet did do in the past, alienating their customers, and opening those customer's eyes to different ISP's offerings.

The only reason I am still on Max is because I got the discount per month until January. Once January arrives and my package goes up, I owe absolutely no loyalty to Sky and I will prove it to them.

[MK Hammer]

Well it now looks like I have Hobson's Choice and have to stick where I am. O2 and Be are not available on my exchange and Orange is £9.79pm plus contract minus £40 quidco cashback. I would have to change back to BT landline at £10.50pm and would lose all calls free unless I select the £9.79 option. Cheaper to switch to max and less bovver.

[MK Hammer]

Originally Posted by NewsreadeR

I left Plusnet about 4 and a half years ago, (in fact its probably longer than that) when they did the dirty on their customers, and put the biggest downloaders on a naughty pipe, and then denied any type of shaping. They would also deny advertising unlimited packages, although that was one of the reasons that I joined Plusnet. Plusnet learnt a huge lesson by that exercise, and eventually apologised years later to their customers.

Plusnet also had legacy packages, so if the spec changed and you didn't know about it your terms etc stayed the same, I actually respect them for that reason.

However, Sky possibly, either don't have the technology to offer legacy products or they just want to get people to upgrade to Max, for imho not policing or differentiating properly the products over the last 3 years or so. Either way they are just repeating what Plusnet did do in the past, alienating their customers, and opening those customer's eyes to different ISP's offerings.

The only reason I am still on Max is because I got the discount per month until January. Once January arrives and my package goes up, I owe absolutely no loyalty to Sky and I will prove it to them.

I have looked everywhere I cn think of on the site and see no mention of any price increase on 1 Jan. Where does this nugget come from?

[NewsreadeR]

It all depends if you have Sky Talk or not. The new prices started 1st March 2009 (So there won't be an increase in January 2010 if you have signed up since 1st March 2009)


If you do, the prices are:

• Base - £0
• Mid / Everyday - £5
• Max / Unlimited - £10

If you don't take Sky Talk they are: (However those who are currently getting the discount of £5 per month would then pay the following as from January 2010 unless they take out Sky Talk)

• Base - £5
• Mid / Everyday - £10
• Max / Unlimited - £15

The new prices were effective from 1st March 2009 and those who qualified get a £5 discount credited to their account each month.

Update on Sky Broadband pricing changes

[orbiter]

We already had Sky talk when we upgraded our broadband to unlimited a few days ago, so am I right in thinking we should still only be paying the £10 per month for broadband after January 2010?

[NewsreadeR]

Correct

[orbiter]

Originally Posted by NewsreadeR

Correct

Phew.. That's good

[NewsreadeR]

The increases would only affect those of us who currently get the £5 discount. Everyone else will be paying the correct amount per month already and no increase would happen.

[orbiter]

Originally Posted by NewsreadeR

The increases would only affect those of us who currently get the £5 discount. Everyone else will be paying the correct amount per month already and no increase would happen.

What is this discount thingy you speak of? I just need to be sure. I'll explain...

We've had Sky mid for over a year now (with Sky Talk) then because of these new bandwidth limits I've upgraded our broadband to Unlimited. Will our broadband still be £10 a month after Jan 2010?