Where is the downgrade button?

21-11-2006

I once worked on a project testing a network monitoring and data collection tool with ISPs as some of our clients. We would sell them bandwidth access to our network and monitor their usage. Thresholds were set and if they exceeded say, 80%, we would let them know that they were getting close to capacity and suggest that they upgrade. Of course if they were only using 10% of their allocated bandwidth this would also set off a threshold alarm, but would not necessarily prompt contacting them to suggest they downgrade.

The same level of customer care exists between the ISP and us, the end user. You are constantly encouraged to upgrade or add to your existing package. This of course makes good business sense as it means more money for the ISP. The problem is that what if you are on too high a package and you don’t really need that much bandwidth or that high a monthly usage allowance? You could get by on a lower package and save some money in the process.

I challenge you to find the downgrade button. I’m on a fairly high package with my ISP and I still receive prompts to upgrade even though I rarely use 50% of my service allowance. But checking their web site or call them up and its like pulling teeth trying to get it across that you want to have less not more.

Have you managed to find your ISPs downgrade button?

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