Networks have started capping data as they run out of capacity – but their policies are far from transparent for consumers.

BBC iPlayer Android app being used on an HTC Desire smartphone
Demand for mobile web apps such as the BBC iPlayer is driving networks to withdraw their “unlimited” data deals. Photograph: Michael Whitaker

In recent times, the term “unlimited” has joined “free” in the lexicon of most discredited marketing words.

As anyone trying to download a large file during the online evening rush hour will know, unlimited broadband access means anything but. As the traffic increases, connection speeds are deliberately throttled.

read more…