Have you ever wondered what the small print means when signing up for an internet package, and how it could affect you?

We usually don’t take the time to read through the terms and conditions of the services we subscribe to, often because they contain jargon that can be difficult to understand.

But don’t worry. We’re going to break some common internet terms down using everyday language and without the technical jargon.

Acceptable Use Policy

An Acceptable Use Policy is designed to prevent excessive or abusive use of a shared network while maintaining an acceptable level of service for all subscribers.

Simply put, it helps ensure that everyone has a similar experience, regardless of the package they’re on. The policy protects all clients, from light users to those who use larger amounts of data.

We encourage clients to read the policy carefully and send any questions to aup@afrihost.com.

Throttling

Throttling reduces the overall speed of your internet connection across all services.

Regardless of the speed of your package, your connection will run at a reduced speed while throttling is in effect. Throttling is applied to individual users based on their overall usage during a given month. Usage thresholds vary depending on the package and network, so be sure to check the specific thresholds that apply to your service before signing up.

Please note: Throttling does not apply to our fibre packages.

Shaping

Shaping is a way of managing network traffic during busy periods to help keep your internet experience smooth and reliable. When the network is under heavy demand, real-time services such as video calls, online gaming and voice calls are given priority.

This may mean that less time-sensitive activities, such as large downloads or software updates, run a little slower for a while.

Shaping only takes effect when network demand is higher than the available capacity and is automatically removed once demand drops.

In simple terms, shaping slows down certain types of online activity when the network is busy, while throttling reduces the overall speed of your connection.

Please note: Shaping does not apply to our current products and services.

There are many other internet terms you may come across, but these are some of the most common ones to understand and ask your service provider about before signing up.

These restrictions do not apply to our Pure Fibre packages, which are uncapped, unshaped and unthrottled. However, all services remain subject to our Acceptable Usage Policy.