Virgin Media Modem Question

BlackDragon · 16 Sep 2008 at 01:23

We currently have virgin media cable here. It is in someone elses name at the moment, and that person has moved out so we are creating a new contract in my name instead.

However Virgin insist on sending me a new modem, even though we already have a virgin media modem. Is it possible for them to 'bind' a modem to an account/contract like that or are they just trying to make money off of us? I've spoken to two people from VM and they say I need a new modem.

helmutcheese · 16 Sep 2008 at 01:37

Yes but they can also drop the Modem MAC so its not on their account.

I have a Moto SB 5101E as I did not want to upgrade my trusty old SB4100 to the new crappy modems VM now use when 10MEG became 20MEG.

When I called up to get Modem swapped (its a do it yourself job if you want it free as they send it out and prepaid bag to get old Modem back) I simply gave him the MAC from the Moto SB 5101E instead of their new Crappy Modem.

So it does work.

Bubo · 16 Sep 2008 at 09:40

Can you tell me what is so crap about the new modems? They sent me a new motorloa modem a while back, I havn't got ti to hand to give the full spec but size wise it fits comfortably in one hand, is that the new one? I haven't bothered changing over yet so I'm still using my donkeys years old Terajet.

helmutcheese · 16 Sep 2008 at 13:14

I simply do not like them, they look crap, have no standby button and reading on forums seems to be more unreliable than Moto's but far cheaper.

The Moto SB 5101E is small compared to the SB 4100.

VM now use Scientific Atlanta Modems same as the TV-Drive/V+ is Scientific Atlanta.

Like this or near same :

http://www.simplehelp.net/images/cable_modems/scientificatlanta_dpc2100a.gif

Don't hotlink.

Werewolf · 16 Sep 2008 at 13:52

BlackDragon said:
We currently have virgin media cable here. It is in someone elses name at the moment, and that person has moved out so we are creating a new contract in my name instead.

However Virgin insist on sending me a new modem, even though we already have a virgin media modem. Is it possible for them to 'bind' a modem to an account/contract like that or are they just trying to make money off of us? I've spoken to two people from VM and they say I need a new modem.

How would they be making money off you by sending you a new modem, free of charge (the rental is included what you pay if you stick with your old one, or get the new one?).

IIRC Virgin seem to be trying to get everyone onto the same generation of modems, as a lot of the older ones don't work well with the newer speeds, and if they can phase out the older (or oldest) ones it makes it easier for customer support and network improvements (some modems don't like say 10/20mb, others don't cope well with the better frequency encoding options etc).

ZedPowered · 16 Sep 2008 at 17:08

I have one of the small black ones and its great, get 20 meg speeds flawlessly (most of the time).

BlackDragon · 17 Sep 2008 at 01:38

Werewolf said:
How would they be making money off you by sending you a new modem, free of charge (the rental is included what you pay if you stick with your old one, or get the new one?).

IIRC Virgin seem to be trying to get everyone onto the same generation of modems, as a lot of the older ones don't work well with the newer speeds, and if they can phase out the older (or oldest) ones it makes it easier for customer support and network improvements (some modems don't like say 10/20mb, others don't cope well with the better frequency encoding options etc).

Yeah I guess it is free, but we still get charged £10 for it to be delivered

Thesnipergecko · 17 Sep 2008 at 13:54

Ignnore.

T.

helmutcheese · 17 Sep 2008 at 15:14

The Modem upgrade for 20meg users was totally FREE, if you chose the option to get it through the post (I have already stated they gave a prepaid bag to return old Modem).

If you wanted an engineer to come and swap it over it was £25.

I don't see any difference here and why they cant drop that Modem from the old account if its now cancelled and give it to you, LOL VM are POS.

Matteysan · 17 Sep 2008 at 20:34

I just can't believe they dropped the Motorola modems, they were so good

These Scientific Atlanta ones are rubbish! I've been through 5 this year already :/

helmutcheese · 17 Sep 2008 at 22:28

Mattey1 said:
I just can't believe they dropped the Motorola modems, they were so good

These Scientific Atlanta ones are rubbish! I've been through 5 this year already :/

As I said above, they wanted them to be same brand as the V+ and they are CHEAP.

Matteysan · 18 Sep 2008 at 07:09

As I said above, they wanted them to be same brand as the V+ and they are CHEAP.

Heh yeah, seems to be the way virgin like to run things cheap & not so cheerful. The reliability of these modems is shocking to say the least.