Broadband usage/youtube

[poolger]

Proberly a stupid question but Ive recently got broadband (2mbs). Is it true that your ISP can charge extra if you go over this amount and does playing videos on youtube (but not downloading them) effect it? Thanks

[fo3nix]

Some ISPs advertise their service as 'unlimited'. This means they won't charge you for going over your monthly bandwidth limit. Others do change, as you say. And yes, this includes absolutely everything you do online, including youtube videos.

[dingochutney]

If your subscription comes with a monthly limit, then your ISP may charge you for exceeding it. Any internet traffic, including checking emails or simply viewing websites, counts towards this limit. Streamed video like the kind found on youtube is extremely bandwidth intensive. Watching it would have the same effect as downloading it then watching it, the same amount of data is sent to your pc.

Hope this helps!

[dodgyshirt]

Further to fo3nix's answer, what you have quoted is the maximum throughput speed of your broadband connection. If you have a download limit, this will be in gigabytes, not megabytes per second and it will be stated in your agreement if such a limit is set.

[poolger]

I think I have a 2GB usage, how much on average videos could I watch per month before I exceed it. I think in the last 2 days alone I watched about 50. Cheers for the answers so far.

[bren2310]

Having checked some of the YouTube movie clips I have downloaded it would seem as a rough average that 30 secs of movie equates to 4 MB.

1 GB = 1000 MB

Therefore you should be able to download / watch 500 30 sec movie clips a month.

But don't forget what others have said about all internet usage resulting in bandwidth usage and being part of your monthly limit.

I would contact your broadband provider and see how much they would charge to upgrade you to unlimited. Always assuming they offer that option.

Alternatively if you're not tied in to a contract change to Bulldog or similar who do not have limits

Brendan