29 March 2007
More than 3,000 people have now signed a petition urging Prime Minister Tony Blair to stop broadband providers claiming to offer unlimited service and yet restricting usage.
Dozens of internet service providers say that they give their customers "unlimited broadband" but campaigners argue that small print affirms that minutes are in fact capped.
A statement on the petition, which has been displayed on the Downing Street website, says: "The majority of these [internet] services are not unlimited as in the providers' fair usage policies they either cap the use at a defined amount, or use an undefined criteria that only they know."
Those who are campaigning for change are hoping communications watchdog Ofcom will investigate the claims and prevent providers from offering such access.
Comparison site uSwitch joined the debate earlier this month by urging the Advertising Standards Authority to ban 'unlimited' campaigns.
Head of Communications Services at the firm Steve Weller said: "If these policies are to be classed as 'fair', broadband companies need to clearly define these limits and explain to customers what will happen when they are exceeded."
The petition will remain open until the June 10th deadline and the government has promised to respond to all those who have signed it.