Time running out for "unlimited broadband"?

The days of internet service providers (ISP) offering "unlimited broadband" packages could be coming to an end, according to reports.

ZDNet says many ISPs include a "fair usage" limit on downloads with their unlimited packages - and this could now trip them up as consumption of video and television over the internet increases.

The site says ISP PlusNet, which uses tariffs based on set download amounts rather than fair usage limits, says that as downloads increase as more users watch video or TV online with applications such as the BBC iPlayer or 4oD, more will hit their usage barrier.

Neil Armstrong, the provider's product and marketing director, told the site that UK traffic for the iPlayer alone has "gone from zero to five per cent in two months".

He added that as more users get a "nasty surprise" from hitting their download limit, ISPs will have to withdraw their "unlimited" claims.

Analyst Michael Philpott of Ovum agreed, adding that many ISPs appear to be "working hard" on developing a new tariff for higher downloads.

According to the BBC, over 3.5 million programmes were streamed or downloaded on its iPlayer service within its first two weeks of operation.