Usage limits to become 'a thing of the past'

Issues with exceeding limits in broadband downloads will become "a thing of the past" because of forthcoming new network technologies, it has been claimed.

According to broadband expert Thomas Newton, from internet marketing company UK Web Media, many people have experienced problems with their connection because of services like the BBC's iPlayer.

This is a free service that lets people watch BBC programmes online.

However, it is data-intensive, meaning customers have had "to pay extra for exceeding fair use policies and, in some extreme cases, temporarily lose access to broadband services altogether", he said.

"With the deployment of next generation fibre networks in the pipeline and with the imminent arrival of Virgin Media's new 50Mbps service, such problems will eventually become a thing of the past," Mr Newton added.

He also pointed out that Orange had announced it would invest in an improved service as opposed to gaining a larger market share.

Research by analyst firm Point Topic released last month revealed that worldwide broadband subscriptions had hit the 400 million mark.