Fair usage limits are rendering super-fast broadband deals a rip off, it has been claimed.

According to Broadband Choices, consumers who have subscribed to a super-fast deal could find themselves kicked off their package after just 20 minutes to half and hour as a result of fair usage limits.

The limit means that users of Virgin Media's super-fast package, which offers speeds of 20mbps, would use up by 3GB limit simply by downloading three movies during peak time.

After this point, they would only receive a connection speed of around 5Mbps for the next four hours.

Michael Phillips of Broadband Choices told the Times: "It defeats the purpose. These products urge people to download more often as they highlight top speeds.

"If you're paying a premium, then you shouldn't have the same restrictions as other customers who are paying less," he added.