Fair Use PolicyOur Fair Use Policy

Overview and Summary Table

At 4oceans, we feel that all customers should be able to benefit from an affordable Unlimited Satellite Broadband service that enables everyone to share peak usage capacity equally and fairly, whilst having the capability to download larger files in off peak periods.

If we did not implement an FUP then we could experience poor speeds across the network with approx 80% of all data allowance being consumed by approx 20% of customers. Implementing the FUP ensures that every customer can enjoy a fair, fast and effective broadband service throughout the whole day.

In order to achieve this aim, the FUP rewards customers with a larger overall FUP limit when they use their allocation during off peak periods by applying the Off Peak Download Accelerator*. The following table sets out specific examples how the FUP Policy works for customers in practice.

Peak (GB) Download Off Peak (GB) Download Total FUP Limit (GB)
0 300 300
10 250 260
20 200 220
30 150 180
40 100 140
50 50 100
60 0 60

Off Peak times

Off peak periods are everyday (Monday to Sunday) between Midnight & 6 am.

*Off Peak Download Accelerator

The Off Peak Download Accelerator means that you get 5 x the download capacity during the Off Peak Period compared to during the Peak Period. In this way you can download larger files during off peak periods without being in danger of breaching FUP limits and without affecting the browsing experience of other customers.

How to set Off Peak Downloads

There are many applications and browser add-ons that can be used to schedule off peak file downloads in order to take advantage of your of your off peak download accelerator.  We favour browser add-ons because they are designed specifically for your chosen browser and are easy to find, download and use from your browser settings toolbar. If you have any difficulties with any aspect of scheduling downloads then just drop us a line for help.

How do we manage & implement the FUP in practice

For management purposes, we will set your total overall limit equal to your stated Peak Time limit or 60 GB for Unlimited services. Thereafter, we will apply the Off Peak Download accelerator by recording only one unit of download for each four units of download consumed in Off Peak periods.

Put simply, each 4 GB of download capacity used during off peak times will count as only 1 GB towards your FUP.

In the unlikely event that you do approach your total download limit then you will go into FUP or what we affectionately call “The Naughty Box”. At this time you will see a reduction in speed across your connection.  At no time will we cut your service off, you will still be able to use your connection but just at a reduced speed.   If you are consistently in “The Naughty Box” we will have a chat with you and suggest that you upgrade to the next level of service, along with the relevant increase in fees or of course you could just reduce the amount of data you transfer. The following schedule sets out how we will manage your usage you approach and exceed their FUP limits.

4 Oceans FUP Policy Implementation Schedule

Stage 1 When you reach 80 % of your limit we will send you an email, just to tell you that you are approaching your limit.
Stage 2 When you reach 90% of your limit we will inform you by email and reduce your speed to 50% of the headline rate.
Stage 3 When you reach your limit, we will inform you by email and reduce your download speed to 64Kb/s so that you can contact us to discuss upgrade options or buy a download booster to increase your current month’s allocation.
Stage 4 At the start of the next monthly period, your FUP limit will be reset and you will be able to use your account as usual.
Stage 5 If your usage behaviour is deemed to be extraordinary, in nature and therefore unsuitable for a shared service, such that your actions are impacting significantly upon the experience of other users, then we reserve the right to move you to the standard variable rate service. In this case, we will inform you by email and immediately set your account to ‘Stage 3 status’ for a period of up to one week to allow you to discuss alternative arrangements with us
Stage 6 If you fail to contact us to make alternative arrangements then we may choose to default your account to our standard variable rate product.

What do I do if I am in the “naughty box?

If you find yourself in the naughty box, remember we do not cut you off so you will still be able to use your service, but as mentioned before at a slower rate than the headline speeds.

At this point there are 3 options available:

  • Wait until your next FUP monthly period commences
  • Buy a Booster
  • Upgrade to the next service level

Remember you can always monitor your usage through our secure client portal. Please contact our office if you have not been given your unique customer log in details.