Broadband customers looking forward to taking advantage of the BBC's new streaming services could be surprised at the implications for their download caps or usage policies.

This has been suggested by Broadband Choices product director, Michael Phillips, who believes that many may not be aware that watching the BBC1 and BBC2 live could eat away at download allowances.

He suggested broadband users may also be unaware that their speeds could be slowed as part of a fair usage policy should they watch streamed footage for long periods.

Mr Phillips commented: "As a public service broadcaster they have a responsibility to clearly inform users of the potential impact to their broadband service and punitive charges they might incur through accessing high quantities of this content.

"A live streaming service of this kind will certainly test consumers' broadband packages due to the high speed connection and substantial download limits that it will demand."

Broadband Choices has recommended downloading programmes from iPlayer at night in order to use up less allowance space.