Hhhmmm to little buggers!! If thats the case I might be switching ISP's again!! Not having that!! I pay for unlimited access I should get unlimited access!
All consumer broadband ISP who offer 'unlimited' will shape. They still give you unlimited bandwidth (ignoring Fair Use/Acceptable use clauses), but just make sure its slower for bandwidth intensive services (mainly p2p and alt.bins).
There is a reason - cost. A 'Central' (link from BT ATM network to ISP) is around £1.7m per year for 622Mb. If you do the maths, and 8Mb line maxed costs over £1500 per month in central costs alone - still have the port costs (around £8), internet connectivity, infrastructure, networks, servers, staff, building/lighting/heating costs etc. And what do we want to pay? A piddly £20 per month? It won't ever happen.
If you want true unfettled net access, you need to go down the leased line route. Sure, it costs more.
ADSL was never designed for big constant downloads (and nor was cable before the NTL fanboys start), but fast web/email type access. People abused the access given, and now UK ISPs have to put limits on, be they download limits, or shaping.
BT charge ISPs at a level to ensure the system runs reasonably well, as they won't provide unlimited bandwidth to everyone - sure BT could provide 80Gb links from small town exchanges, but not for the same money they do now.