Arbitrary speed variations (WEIRD) using Airtel ADSL BB

Hi,
I've been using Airtel BB (Kolkata) since January 2009, and have found their service quite satisfactory. Their response is prompt.

I started off with the 256kbps UL plan @Rs.799 in Jan 2009. Some time around in March 2010 or earlier, I got a call saying that @Rs.899, I can get reduced call rates and 512kbps upto 15GB. I agreed, and changed plan and started using it. With my May bill, I got a flyer saying Airtel was upgrading it's speed free of cost, so I would be eligible for 1 mbps ( from 512 kbps ). I was happy, but this did not happen. I even called customer care, but they didn't sound very sure and said something vague like "You must receive an SMS " or something.

However, mid - September, I noticed my speeds had been upgraded to 1mbps ( I'm sure about this , download speeds were 125-130 kbps on the meter as opposed to 57-65 kbps earlier. I've been using a computer since dialup 14.4kbps modem times, so I know a speed change when I see it , and yes, I know the difference between bits and bytes, I research algorithms at a research lab, so I'm not an idiot ).

I enjoyed this speed for three months, September, October and November. From the 1st week of December I noticed that my speed had reduced to 512kbps again. On calling customer care, they were adamant and didn't believe my speed was ever 1mbps, and that I'd always been on a 512kbps plan.

So now my speeds vary this way, sometimes I get 1mbps, and sometimes 512kbps. I know this not due to the server, because when I get either, I get it at a constant speed for a sustained period ... like say 57-63 kbps over a torrent download of 2 GB and maybe again 125-130kbps for another torrent. Now you can tell that this not due to a poorly seeded torrent, then it would fluctuate, but it doesn't ... it sticks to either speeds. Same with DDLs.

And mostly I've been getting 512kbps recently. I mean, yes , I started dowloading a lot more since I got my upgraded speed, but surely if i'd exceeded my cap, this would have happened in Sept, Oct, Nov as well ? But it didn't. I had a free run. But why in December ? And even in the 1st few days of Jan, I mean surely I haven't exceeded my cap in 3 days ?

Anyone ?

Thanks

PS:- I've heard of FUP, then in that case

a) I should get a notification
b) Once I exceed my limit, it is not possible in the same month to get the higher speed again ( mine is fluctuating )
c) I cannot have possibly exceeded any cap in 3 days. I've barely downloaded and surfed worth 1GB on January yet.

What happened ? No leads ? Anyone ? What about "Airtel presence" ?

Could be that the FUP wasn't implemented for the first few months. Happened with me. Check with others in your locality with the same plan(if at all). And yes it was fluctuating for me too,especially on modem restarts.

PS:- I've heard of Fair Usage Policy, then in that case

a) I should get a notification


I don't think notifications are issued all that effectively to customers.

c) I cannot have possibly exceeded any cap in 3 days. I've barely downloaded and surfed worth 1GB on January yet.

Is your billing cycle from 1st of every month? If yes, then it might not be the FUP at fault.

Ahhh ... I've been foolish - billing cycle is from 17th Dec - 16th January. So now it makes some sense. However, I got a notification a few minutes back.