DSL Contracts

Terms and conditions need to be read carefully. Understand that most special offers require you to sign up for 1 or 2 years! So in particular, you should watch for any clauses that allow the provider or ISP to charge you for early termination, or for moving from one location to another. In addition, the contract may specify what is not allowed, and this list, apart from the usual things like "no Spam" and so on, may include more widely applicable terms, for instance, they reserve the right to terminate your line and charge you disconnection costs if you do anything they believe is "destabilizing" to the system. Without a clear definition of what "destabilizing" is, they are basically free to terminate your line anytime they want, and you have no right to argue about it.

Be careful to check for any traffic restrictions both up and down, or limits on supported configurations or running servers at home. On the plus side, you should hope to see guarantees from them on committed information rates. And what your rights are when minimum service levels are not met.

If you like what the sales people say, make sure you get it in writing, and ask if they apply for the duration of the contract, because terms and conditions have a habit of changing after you signed up.