Virgin Media Discussion Thread

PMKeates · 23 Nov 2012 at 10:10

I have had cable broadband since the early days on 512k Telewest, all the way through now on to 100 MB Virgin. I am on the verge of leaving.

I have several complaints:

1) Web browsing latency is high - the Internet feels a bit like treacle, and isn't snappy anymore. It used to be great, but over the past couple of years has really fallen down and just feels 'bad'.

2) I want 100/10. I can't have this because VM lied. When the speed doubling started, and I was on early rollout, we were renewing our contract. It seemed unnecessary to contract in to the then 100/10 product when the 50/5 was becoming 100/10 in weeks (it was a bank against them not doing in). A year later and I *still* have 100/5, and VM will not move me to 100/10 even though they offer it to new customers. 5 upload is pathetic. They have said it's "coming soon".. for 9 months. This isn't a technical issue, it's a piece of crap.

3) iPlayer and YouTube buffer like crazy. I can't even watch a TV show in SD without it telling me I "don't have enough bandwidth". I can play these things over my phone or my neighbour's WiFi (via Infinity) without any issues whatsoever. It's reducing the quality of my browsing experience significantly.

The competition is catching up and gaining - BT and others are now offering Infinity 2/FTTC which is a c. 76/20 product. My immediate neighbour has Infinity 2 (he's an Openreach engineer) and receives 70/18. Slightly slower peak download, but multiples faster upload. It feels snappy. Next year FTTP will mean 330/30+ and no comparable VM product. I am very close to the cabinet, have telegraph poles, and so am not expecting a prohibitive FTTP installation cost.

Cable broadband has moved from a premium product and experience to gutter-levels of service. Am very, very tempted to switch to BT, and I hate BT...

ChrisD. · 23 Nov 2012 at 10:23

FTTC is leaps and bounds better than VM. I bet over the course of 24 hours, FTTC will have higher average download capacity over VM.

gareth170 · 23 Nov 2012 at 10:46

PMKeates said:
2) I want 100/10. I can't have this because VM lied. When the speed doubling started, and I was on early rollout, we were renewing our contract. It seemed unnecessary to contract in to the then 100/10 product when the 50/5 was becoming 100/10 in weeks (it was a bank against them not doing in). A year later and I *still* have 100/5, and VM will not move me to 100/10 even though they offer it to new customers. 5 upload is pathetic. They have said it's "coming soon".. for 9 months. This isn't a technical issue, it's a piece of crap.

I think they are skipping the 10Mb upload upgrade and going straight to 120/12 from 100/5. I've seen afew people had this

PMKeates · 23 Nov 2012 at 11:12

MilanoChris said:
FTTC is leaps and bounds better than VM. I bet over the course of 24 hours, FTTC will have higher average download capacity over VM.

It depends. I find in certain conditions (encrypted newsgroups) I can max 100 all day long. However, that isn't much faster than maxing 70 (720p TV ep takes 60 seconds instead of 40), but when I'm trying to do something where I want instant response i.e. browsing, iPlayer, YouTube etc. it's a joke. VM has the download capacity on my line, they just don't have the network that can deliver data from the Internet.

gareth170 · 23 Nov 2012 at 11:24

PMKeates said:
but when I'm trying to do something where I want instant response i.e. browsing, iPlayer, YouTube etc. it's a joke. VM has the download capacity on my line, they just don't have the network that can deliver data from the Internet.

I get instant response on my connection. no issue with browsing, iPlayer, YouTube, ect

PMKeates · 23 Nov 2012 at 11:28

gareth170 said:
I get instant response on my connection. no issue with browsing, iPlayer, YouTube, ect

That's great, but I don't live at your house, and my service has been degrading for years and appalling for 6+ months

[RB] · 23 Nov 2012 at 11:45

PMKeates said:
It depends. I find in certain conditions (encrypted newsgroups) I can max 100 all day long. However, that isn't much faster than maxing 70 (720p TV ep takes 60 seconds instead of 40), but when I'm trying to do something where I want instant response i.e. browsing, iPlayer, YouTube etc. it's a joke. VM has the download capacity on my line, they just don't have the network that can deliver data from the Internet.

I'm based in Stockport and get a similar thing on 60 Mb.

Newsgroups download at full speed (7.2MB/s for me). Attempting to use YouTube or any kind of 'on-demand' service and it just falls over.

I've lost count of how many times the missus has sworn at me because 4oD has just stopped/buffered mid programme

HighlandeR · 23 Nov 2012 at 12:46

PMKeates said:
I have had cable broadband since the early days on 512k Telewest, all the way through now on to 100 MB Virgin. I am on the verge of leaving.

I have several complaints:

1) Web browsing latency is high - the Internet feels a bit like treacle, and isn't snappy anymore. It used to be great, but over the past couple of years has really fallen down and just feels 'bad'.

2) I want 100/10. I can't have this because VM lied. When the speed doubling started, and I was on early rollout, we were renewing our contract. It seemed unnecessary to contract in to the then 100/10 product when the 50/5 was becoming 100/10 in weeks (it was a bank against them not doing in). A year later and I *still* have 100/5, and VM will not move me to 100/10 even though they offer it to new customers. 5 upload is pathetic. They have said it's "coming soon".. for 9 months. This isn't a technical issue, it's a piece of crap.

3) iPlayer and YouTube buffer like crazy. I can't even watch a TV show in SD without it telling me I "don't have enough bandwidth". I can play these things over my phone or my neighbour's WiFi (via Infinity) without any issues whatsoever. It's reducing the quality of my browsing experience significantly.

The competition is catching up and gaining - BT and others are now offering Infinity 2/FTTC which is a c. 76/20 product. My immediate neighbour has Infinity 2 (he's an Openreach engineer) and receives 70/18. Slightly slower peak download, but multiples faster upload. It feels snappy. Next year FTTP will mean 330/30+ and no comparable VM product. I am very close to the cabinet, have telegraph poles, and so am not expecting a prohibitive FTTP installation cost.

Cable broadband has moved from a premium product and experience to gutter-levels of service. Am very, very tempted to switch to BT, and I hate BT...

Thx for the info and post, aint heard telewest in years been with them since they were called "videotron" then ntl, too many names to remember ! I was considering going 100meg route cos while infinity sounds good it too has its teething issues, ive got another m8 on the 60 meg virgin line and he says no issues but he has to download scheduled....

Overall I think sticking with the BTline or moving it to sky is the best route, I am just far to use to not being restricted in times and download limits.

Nevakonaza · 23 Nov 2012 at 15:01

Anyone get an email today saying VM are increasing their prices as of 1st Feb 2013?

Not impressed at all to be honest,I think they already charge too much...their customer service is horrible and still they cant seem to fix the YouTube Issues.

Cavallino · 23 Nov 2012 at 15:28

Nevakonaza said:
Anyone get an email today saying VM are increasing their prices as of 1st Feb 2013?

Not impressed at all to be honest,I think they already charge too much...their customer service is horrible and still they cant seem to fix the YouTube Issues.

Is there a get out possibility if you signed up a contract?

Nevakonaza · 23 Nov 2012 at 17:32

Cavallino said:
Is there a get out possibility if you signed up a contract?

Doubt it,I was with Telewest when i took out the broadband,then of course VM took over and its just carried on from there and ive upgraded my package every so often over the phone but never signed anything.

with the price increase il be paying £39.50 just for the broadband,which im not even getting 100mb...usually 35mb ish during the day and 75ish late at night/early morning.

Just been on to the Live chat at BT,But none of them have any idea when BT Infinity is coming to my area. :/

Antony101 · 23 Nov 2012 at 18:15

If you are bound by contract and they are increasing your bills you are allowed to cancel the contract and find another provider.

Buckster · 23 Nov 2012 at 18:37

anyone tried youtube via https ?

seems to buffer quicker to me - although could be placebo

mrk · 23 Nov 2012 at 18:41

http: 4MB/s, TED 1080p stream.
https: 400K/s TED 1080p stream.

Not as good for me! I'm on 100Mb. Just tried a nzb file and got 11.6MB/s so it's definitely Youtube!

spydermixx · 23 Nov 2012 at 19:12

Is anyone using Virgin's newsgroup servers suffering from atrocious speed the last couple of days? Unsure if it's just me :/

Gavin · 23 Nov 2012 at 19:18

its only if they increase the bills above base rate. they are entitled to increase it by a certain amount every year.

But i know loads of people that will just go to talk talk and curb there downloads.

PMKeates · 23 Nov 2012 at 23:46

Well, I had an interesting 1.5 hour call with VM tonight.

I wanted to moan again about the upload situation of the 50 MB customers upgraded to 100 MB, and stuck with 5 MB upload. After much back and forth with customer services and technical support, I eventually got through to a guy in UK L2 technical support who took pity on me.

Cutting to the chase, I'm now on 100/10 instead of 100/5 for no cost. That's a help, but this YouTube/iPlayer situation is still a bore (though it has been perfect all night..) The guy seemed to think that it would be resolved reasonably soon, but wasn't sure.

Nevakonaza · 24 Nov 2012 at 00:37

Yeah,Ive never actually sighed anything with VM...It all just carried on from Telewest then VM put up the prices,changed my equipment etc ass the years have gone but ive never sighed a contract.

Only option so far is to go with BT and 20mb broadband,But only downfall id have to take out line rental even though we don't need a landline.

Atom · 24 Nov 2012 at 01:48

On 30meg BB here and pay £20.50. Got the letter a couple of days ago about my bill going up £1.15 in Feb 2013.. I rang to cancel as it is a change of contract on their part and due for disconnection 20th Dec..

Guess what.. got a phone call this morning asking why I leaving, so told them... Am now paying £17.50 for 30meg and a new 12 month contract.. Offered me a phone line for extra £3 a month so took that aswell....

scousegit · 24 Nov 2012 at 04:01

PMKeates said:
It depends. I find in certain conditions (encrypted newsgroups) I can max 100 all day long. However, that isn't much faster than maxing 70 (720p TV ep takes 60 seconds instead of 40), but when I'm trying to do something where I want instant response i.e. browsing, iPlayer, YouTube etc. it's a joke. VM has the download capacity on my line, they just don't have the network that can deliver data from the Internet.

God knows how your maxing your connection all day long running SSL over newsgroups on VM, as when I was with them it still didnt make a blind bit of difference on trying to avoid my speed being capped or not.

I also noticed that downloading through a SSL connection the speed was all over the shot, not very steady at all.

O and by the way don't take this as personal but I think your a mug if your going to stay with VM just for that extra upload. There awful as you have already started to notice, and it's not going to get any better. If they can't even allow youtube videos to be played at 1080p without buffering you know there network is garbage.