I have TerraNet DSL 512 kbps with unlimited night and double speed, and would consider myself a heavy downloader (heavy for Lebanon standards...inno around 20GB per month...but nothing compared to US standards). Anyway, usually I haven't had a problem with downloading at night from TerraNet...I typically download stuff from 3 am till 7 am every night at around 100 KB/sec which is pretty decent for Lebanon. I'm only using half of my allotted "unlimited" time every night for downloading and I don't consider that abuse.

Anyway, today I just got the following email from TerraNet :rolleyes: Seems like they updated their fair use policy:

Your account with TerraNet Cable One DSL 512 has violated the Fair Access Policy by reaching 80% of traffic limit during Unlimited Night. This limit is part of Broadband Unlimited Night Traffic Fair Use Policy. Your speed has been reduced and download/upload is limited during Unlimited Night Traffic for 1 week. After 1 week, if your account is still active, the speed will be resumed with the remaining 20% traffic. If you violate the policy again during the same refill period, the policy of speed reduction and limited access will be re implemented until your account expires. Note: Speed goes back to normal during unlimited traffic and The policy is automatically renewed when you apply a new refill to your account.

The funny thing is...they advertise "unlimited night" and then say that I have reached 80% of my TRAFFIC LIMIT during UNLIMITED NIGHT lol. Apparently I'm only allowed to download 12 GB/month during unlimited night, then they limit your speed at night to 128 kbps!!!! :mad:

I understand that most ISPs worldwide use some sort of Fair Use Policy...but capping it at 12 GB/month is a joke. I have family and friends in Saudi Arabia and their internet is truly unlimited. In the States I know some companies will send you a warning if you download more than 300 GB per month, but you can't cap it at 12GB/month and call it unlimited! Only in Lebanon :rolleyes:

Are all other ISPs doing this right now? Putting a specific cap on so called "unlimited" downloads and calling it a Fair Use Policy? I really want to switch ISPs but only if their unlimited night is truly unlimited or unlimited with a reasonable fair use policy.

Here's a link (PDF) to TerraNet's new policy:

http://corp.terra.net.lb/TerraNetBroadbandFairUsePolicy.pdf