Dec 9, 2006
M1's limit on 'unlimited' broadband plan upsets users
By Alfred Siew
A MOBILEONE (M1) broadband service, which promises unlimited surfing, is drawing flak because it actually restricts how much users can download.
The M1 broadband service launched last week lets users go online using a wireless connection at home or on the go and claims to be a surf-all-you-want service.
However, the fine print states that users can download only up to 2GB of data each month.
Anything more may be considered 'excessive' usage under its fair-use policy.
In contrast, unlimited broadband services from SingTel and StarHub do not have any such restrictions.
M1 spokesman Chua Swee Kiat said customers may have to pay one cent for each additional kilobyte downloaded once they exceed the 2GB limit, although the company will review this on a case-by-case basis. He did not elaborate, but said that M1 may review the 2GB limit.
The service costs between $22 and $68 a month, depending on surfing speeds.
Users are unlikely to hit the download limit of 2GB - the size of a two-hour movie - if they only read news online and access their e-mail.
However, those who frequently watch YouTube videos, for example, or companies which share a connection with several employees may find themselves paying extra despite the 'unlimited' tag.
Some Internet users are upset because they feel that they have been misled.
Lawyer Adrian Kwong, 32, said: 'M1 is free to set its rules, but it has to tell people. You won't know it's a limited service unless you read the fine print.'
Financial adviser Kelvin Khoo, 34, who signed up for the service this week, said: 'Why should it be limited when you say it's unlimited surfing?'
Unlike other broadband services, M1's rules also state that voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), or Internet calls, are banned.
This is likely to irk many broadband users who turn to low-cost services like Skype to keep in touch with friends overseas.
Telecom analysts warn that M1 will have to live up to its promises fast if it wants to be able to compete with its established rivals in a competitive market.
Mr Bryan Wang, director of Asia-Pacific research at analyst firm In-Stat, said M1 would do well to make its rules clear so users can sign up without worry.
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