ADSL Broadband Cap
Click here for a full list of factors to consider when getting ADSL
Broadband.
A "Cap" on an ADSL
line is simply a limit to how much memory one can download per month. It is usually measured in GB
(gigabytes) and once depleted,
(Hard Cap) your ADSL internet connection stops
working or (Soft Cap) you are switched to a throttled service (slower
connection) or have the option to buy additional bandwidth.
In other words, if the ADSL Broadband offering you are subscribed
to are "Hard Capped" then the connection will stop working as soon as you go over your monthly
limit.
On the other
hand, if you are subscribed to an ADSL Broadband offering with a "Soft Cap" you will have the option to buy
additional bandwidth when the cap is reached or will be switched to a
throttled service (slower connection).
It must also be added that many ADSL Broadband offerings with a
"Soft Cap" allows one to surf local sites and make downloads from local sites after the cap is reached. This
is called "Local Only ADSL Broadband" or "Local Only Bandwidth." The cap on "Local Only Bandwidth" is
normally higher than the cap on "International Bandwidth" because "Local Only Bandwidth" is
cheaper.
So choosing the right cap is important,
otherwise you may find yourself short close to the end of the month or
stuck with a slow connection or not able to surf international sites.
Even if you sit with a "Soft Cap" and have the
option to top-up or buy additional bandwidth, you don't really want to do that when you reach your cap. The reason
for this is simple, additional bandwidth normally comes at a much higher price than bandwidth within the
cap.
So what Cap do you need?
Here are some
guidelines:
Uncapped ADSL Broadband vs. Capped ADSL
Broadband
"Uncapped ADSL
Broadband" refers to unlimited or unrestricted monthly bandwidth usage while "Capped ADSL Broadband" means there
are a limit or restriction on the bandwidth one may use. "Uncapped ADSL Broadband" is the best connection to have
if you are bandwidth hungry although it's normally more expensive than "Capped ADSL Broadband" for obvious
reasons.
The same principles apply to other broadband
offerings that are "Capped" or "Uncapped" (Soft or Hard).
|