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Thread ID: 138860 2015-02-03 10:33:00 High Broadband usage mystery. mzee (3324) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1393522 2015-02-03 10:33:00 My Data usage on VDSL is usually between 16GB and 25GB per month.
In November 2014 usage was 49GB.
In December 2014 usage was 64GB, which was actually 2 weeks as we were away on holiday.
I change my wireless password frequently since a neighbor took to downloading videos on it some years ago.
So far the ISP can not explain it, and as the usage page on their website is not working I can not check current usage.
Have fully checked for malware and virus on all computers.
The only change to the system has been to replace the Innbox Modem with a Dray Tek modem.
I am being charged $103.50 a month for 50GB naked VDSL.
Getting a little frustrated, and tempted to change to Actrix.

Any comments?
mzee (3324)
1393523 2015-02-03 19:01:00 Did you change the default modem access password too?
Install a usage monitor yourself on the PC and see if it matches what the ISP says.
pctek (84)
1393524 2015-02-03 19:18:00 Checkout your Router page for connections www.howtogeek.com

Used this a while ago to check if anyone was connected to mine www.softperfect.com as I have one close neighbour
Lawrence (2987)
1393525 2015-02-04 04:44:00 All sorted! The ISP's system was at fault, they have cancelled the overage. mzee (3324)
1393526 2015-02-04 06:18:00 That's not a great price, even on spark who are not generally the cheapest I'm on the 80GB naked plan with a post pay Mobile as part of the package ($39.95 by itself normally) for $108 or there abouts. I'm not a heavy mobile user and don't need the plan it's on but it worked out cheaper than a landline and a prepay mobile and broadband. Good that they sorted out it was their end.

When unexpected usage happens at your end the usual suspects are ;
1. Teens - not necessarily on purpose, many of them just have no concept of how much data get's used by various activities. One of my friends had this arguments for weeks with his stepson who still didn't believe it was him when his computer lost it's internet connection (courtesy of a removed cable) and the problem went away.
2. Unexpected large updates for windows, games, or software. One time both myself and flatmate got a 12GB update on a game we both played and our cap was almost used. Annoying really you get no warning before hand and I could have copied it over to save half the data.
3. Malware
4. Someone stealing bandwidth somehow - it does happen but honestly is much less common than the other reasons.
dugimodo (138)
1393527 2015-02-04 19:25:00 All sorted! The ISP's system was at fault, they have cancelled the overage. Great you found the source of the problem. Wonder how many others have had the same problem and possibly been charged for over usage ? wainuitech (129)
1393528 2015-02-04 19:28:00 I am being charged $103.50 a month for 50GB naked VDSL.

Spark, among other ISPs, do unlimited naked VDSL for $99 a month, or even less with some of the other players.
inphinity (7274)
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