Have Virgin downgraded me?

I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.

Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There
had been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it
has been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.

I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and
have just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit
the limit (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction
wouldn't hit any limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any
other server that could hit traffic.

So my questions are :

Are the limits on throttling accurate?

Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
(particularly in the Manchester area)?

Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?

TIA

"Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
>Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
>usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.
>
> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There had
> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it has
> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
>
> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and have
> just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the limit
> (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't hit any
> limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other server that
> could hit traffic.
>
> So my questions are :
>
> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
>
> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
>
> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
>
> TIA

Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their radio
adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they "don't
use copper wire".
Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!

"Pete" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:468aa5df$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
>>Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
>>usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.
>>
>> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There had
>> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it has
>> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
>>
>> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and
>> have just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the
>> limit (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't
>> hit any limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other
>> server that could hit traffic.
>>
>> So my questions are :
>>
>> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
>>
>> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
>> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
>>
>> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
>>
>> TIA
>
> Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
> management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
> minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
> No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their radio
> adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they
> "don't use copper wire".
> Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
> optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!
>
>

The VM adverts are dubious in the extreme. The radio advert calls it 'super
duper fast fibre optic broadband'. There is then a slight pause to make you
think the advert has ended after which someone speaks really fast and tells
you it's 2Mb/s which is definately not my definition of 'super duper fast'.
And as far as I know, cable is cable to the house. It may be fibre to the
cab but that isn't what the advert implies.

Pete wrote:
> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
>> Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
>> usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.
>>
>> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There had
>> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it has
>> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
>>
>> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and have
>> just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the limit
>> (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't hit any
>> limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other server that
>> could hit traffic.
>>
>> So my questions are :
>>
>> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
>>
>> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
>> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
>>
>> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
>>
>> TIA
>
> Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
> management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
> minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
> No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their radio
> adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they "don't
> use copper wire".
> Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
> optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!
>
>

The Virgin shaping limit is supposed to be 3gb - I had downloaded less
than half that.

"Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Pete wrote:
> > "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
> >> Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
> >> usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.
> >>
> >> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There
had
> >> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it
has
> >> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
> >>
> >> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and
have
> >> just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the
limit
> >> (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't hit
any
> >> limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other server
that
> >> could hit traffic.
> >>
> >> So my questions are :
> >>
> >> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
> >>
> >> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
> >> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
> >>
> >> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
> >>
> >> TIA
> >
> > Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
> > management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
> > minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
> > No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their radio
> > adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they
"don't
> > use copper wire".
> > Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
> > optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!
> >
> >
>
> The Virgin shaping limit is supposed to be 3gb - I had downloaded less
> than half that.

They are doing the same to me as well & I barely download anything coming
close to 1 GB. I am sick of them & have considered leaving.

dna wrote:
> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Pete wrote:
>>> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
>>>> Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
>>>> usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.
>>>>
>>>> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There
> had
>>>> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it
> has
>>>> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
>>>>
>>>> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and
> have
>>>> just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the
> limit
>>>> (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't hit
> any
>>>> limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other server
> that
>>>> could hit traffic.
>>>>
>>>> So my questions are :
>>>>
>>>> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
>>>>
>>>> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
>>>> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
>>>>
>>>> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>> Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
>>> management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
>>> minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
>>> No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their radio
>>> adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they
> "don't
>>> use copper wire".
>>> Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
>>> optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!
>>>
>>>
>> The Virgin shaping limit is supposed to be 3gb - I had downloaded less
>> than half that.
>
> They are doing the same to me as well & I barely download anything coming
> close to 1 GB. I am sick of them & have considered leaving.
>

Unfortunately I can only get less than 1mb on ADSL. I may however
downgrade myself to one of the cheaper services.

"Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
>Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
>usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp server.....


> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
>

Yes, and they are doing it silently.
A friend on the 10mb service noticed the same problems as you are seeing,
and he barely uses the internet after 6pm each day (and he really only uses
it for Xbox Live), so he is really very unlikely to hav e come anywhere near
to the 3gb limit..

He contacted Virgin and was informed that he had been downgraded to a 2mb
connection. They could find no reason or even any request for this
actioning, and promptly put him back on the correct service.

But there you have it - proof that they are downgrading people - I'd check
with them to see that you haven't befallen the same fate as my friend.

"Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> dna wrote:
> > "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> Pete wrote:
> >>> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >>>> I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
> >>>> Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish
than
> >>>> usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp
server.
> >>>>
> >>>> Tonight I started a 4.4gb download using my usual nzb software. There
> > had
> >>>> been nothing of any significance downloaded before this today and it
> > has
> >>>> been a couple of weeks since I downloaded anything of any size.
> >>>>
> >>>> I left the computer for a while without noting the download speed and
> > have
> >>>> just returned to see the d/l fixed around 420k/s. I have not hit the
> > limit
> >>>> (1.3gb downloaded so far which even with error correction wouldn't
hit
> > any
> >>>> limits), I am not running Orb/Skype/Slingplayer or any other server
> > that
> >>>> could hit traffic.
> >>>>
> >>>> So my questions are :
> >>>>
> >>>> Are the limits on throttling accurate?
> >>>>
> >>>> Has there been any general degradation in performance in VM Cable
> >>>> (particularly in the Manchester area)?
> >>>>
> >>>> Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
> >>>>
> >>>> TIA
> >>> Unfortunately you are suffering the effects of data shaping/traffic
> >>> management whatever you want to call it. You can download for so many
> >>> minutes at a high speed, then it is reduced severely.
> >>> No matter what Virgin claim, they are restricting use now. Their
radio
> >>> adverts are also suggesting they are not like ADSL providers as they
> > "don't
> >>> use copper wire".
> >>> Does anyone on Virgin have their Internet and/or TV delivered by fibre
> >>> optic? They have lied yet again on the advert!
> >>>
> >>>
> >> The Virgin shaping limit is supposed to be 3gb - I had downloaded less
> >> than half that.
> >
> > They are doing the same to me as well & I barely download anything
coming
> > close to 1 GB. I am sick of them & have considered leaving.
> >
>
> Unfortunately I can only get less than 1mb on ADSL. I may however
> downgrade myself to one of the cheaper services.
>
>

If people are slowly leaving Virgin (or whatever they will call themselves
next), then the cable service will die off in the UK. This will leave the
market for BT/LLU resellers & the price will shoot up. While the rest of the
world will have proper Internet services ready for full HD downloads at
realistic speeds.

"masha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:468c9e90$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Resident Drunk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I am on VM 10mb cable package & usually get ~1250k/s downloads from
> >Giganews. For the last few days browsing has seemed more sluggish than
> >usual, particularly saving the odd file from a web page or ftp
server.....
>
>
> > Are VM downgrading people to a lower service for any reason?
> >
>
> Yes, and they are doing it silently.
> A friend on the 10mb service noticed the same problems as you are seeing,
> and he barely uses the internet after 6pm each day (and he really only
uses
> it for Xbox Live), so he is really very unlikely to hav e come anywhere
near
> to the 3gb limit..
>
> He contacted Virgin and was informed that he had been downgraded to a 2mb
> connection. They could find no reason or even any request for this
> actioning, and promptly put him back on the correct service.
>
> But there you have it - proof that they are downgrading people - I'd check
> with them to see that you haven't befallen the same fate as my friend.
>
>

Thanks for that interesting info. Who did he contact ? Since broadband
support is now handled by Indians (last few times I rang it was anyway)

dna wrote:
> If people are slowly leaving Virgin (or whatever they will call
> themselves next), then the cable service will die off in the UK.
> This will leave the market for BT/LLU resellers & the price will
> shoot up. While the rest of the world will have proper Internet
> services ready for full HD downloads at realistic speeds.

Why blame the users when it's the company itself which is the problem.
If Virgin supplied the service they claim is available & if their
customer support was a real customer support & not an attempt to rip
people off by using a premium rate number & then putting them on hold
(for any period of time) which I have a vague recollection is against
OFCOMs guide lines then people would not be leaving would they. Their
end users are voting with their feet about the way Virgin is going.
If Virgin can't be bothered to actually do something about it then
they deserve to go to the wall.

As for DSL prices shotting up, don't think so....There is already
strong competition inbetween DSL providers, some of them are LLU
companies so they are effectively not using the BT Broadband network
anyway whilst others who do are pricing their product below that of
BT.

The remark about the rest of the world having services able to dowload
at realistic speeds (full HD ???? HD hmmmmm could he mean High
Definition, but surely not as that is TV or are they planning to
download pirate copies of DVD's & other video media) you are looking
thru very blinkered, rose coloured spectacles. Yes there are very
high speed networks in place but only locally, not nationally.