We have three different 'settings' for our automated network management solution according to the conditions the network is under - Plan A (normal operation), Plan B (high demand operation) and Plan C (disaster situation) - http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/quality_broadband/load.shtml

In response to recent usage patterns and events that have left our network out of balance, we are setting the network capacity status to 'Amber' and are moving to a 'Plan B' operation.

This is being done ready for tonight, following the news about today's Microsoft Updates, which dependent on their file size, could cause speed and performance problems for customers as the network beomes busier - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8302286.stm

We will do our best to ensure that your time sensitive traffic is given the highest priority, however whilst status is set to 'Amber' you might notice that certain applications or Internet traffic performs at slower speeds to those you'd normally expect.

We are scheduled to light more central capacity next week and are looking at potentially performing a period of 'load balancing' where we temporarily disconnect a percentage of our user-base to help spread customers' Internet sesssions more evenly amongst the bandwidth that's available.

We intend on operating under a 'Plan B' operation for a few days and will provide another update as soon as the situation changes.

Kind Regards,

Bob Pullen
Customer Support