Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

It was this line I was talking about

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Yes, that's what I mean. The upgrades are starting next month I think, but 100 > 120Mbit upgrades aren't starting until the Summer

So some 50Mbit customers will get an increase to 100Mbit, as 120Mbit isn't available. They'll then get a further increase to 120Mbit when it is

Others will likely go straight up to 120Mbit as their area won't be upgraded until after 120Mbit is available

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Yet my area says March/April I presume that was for all speeds..

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Not for 100 > 120Mbit. From the doublespeed site:

If you have our up to 100Mb connection, you've already got the fastest widely available broadband in the UK. So we'll be taking a bit off your monthly bill, instead. And as an extra thank you, we'll be boosting your speeds up to 120Mb. Your upgrades start this summer. We'll be in touch to let you know.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Ahh..thank you again

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

So when do we see the price decrease for 50 meg? I'm currently on 20 and wouldn't mind upgrading to 50 if the price is ok.

My 20 >>> 60 doesn't even start until October!!!

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

You won't as there isn't one

The only price reduction is for the current 100Mbit tier so that it gets merged with the current 50Mbit tier.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Noticed a couple of people making that mistake recently..

Anyway, as if the name were not enough (I don't know any blokes called Kymmy), I'll save you the effort of saying it. Kymmy is a girl.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

People tend to get it confused with Kimi which is a boys name ;)

Thanks Stuart :clap:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

One being a driver for Lotus Renault lol

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

:o:

Kymmy.. Kammy.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8gKmQ6Hrro

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Personally, I'd say woman, being that my definition of "girl" is fairly close to that in the dictionary.

Still, I've always thought Kimmy sounded like a bloke's name and hence Kymmy as well.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Getting a bit off-topic (though I did like the hazlenuts in topics) Kymmy & Kimmy are girls names, Kimi is a boys name.

Either way it's a lot more gender specific than qasdfdsaq :rofl:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I wonder whether virgin will be asking people if they have a gigabit ethernet and possibly even giving them one for free. Otherwise you'll get a lot of customers complaining that they are only getting 100mb instead of 120mb. That's the big problem with going past 100mb, unfortunately the uk govt doesn't mandate manufacturers to use gigabit on their computers.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

VM's T&C's do state "we cannot guarantee compatibility of the equipment you choose" so it's upto you to have a level of equipment compatible with their services.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

VM don't provide 4 ethernets along with their modem/routers so I don't see the sense in them providing some high end ethernet cable. in fact they VM ship out cat 5 cables, not even cat 5e

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Peter do VM ship out cat 5e now?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

No idea what shipped with the superhub but previous to that all their modems were only specified upto 100Mb (and even lower in most cases) so cat5 was perfectly adequate.. In fact cat5 in 1-2m patch length will probably do perfectly well at gigabit

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Ethernet cables are suppose to be within the install pack but I've never seen a pack with 1 in. plus the standard cat5's suck

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Yet the cat5's as given out with the old ambits are perfectly good for the job which they are given out for

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

cost cutting me thinks. they probably have a heck of a lot in storage too.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Indeed (this is from 2000)

http://www.networkworld.com/news/tec.../1016tech.html

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Why should the government mandate that?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

The Cat5/Cat5e thing was an issue for 50meg users as it was. It's "good enough", but there were situations where Cat5e would give a speed boost. I never seen this myself, but it was something mentioned to me during training so it must have been an issue at some point.
However, I was also told that it was the customer's own cables causing issues rather than Virgin's cables.

In any case, it's not much of an issue - computers for the last half a decade all have gigabit ethernet. If they don't, then they're too old to make the most of 100mbit+ anyway. Besides, the real use in these speeds is multiple machines running at once, so it's a bit moot.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

That was part of the whole point, qasdfdsaq's not meant to be anything specific, apart from me.

---------- Post added at 16:47 ---------- Previous post was at 16:46 ----------

VMNG300 has a gigabit port and works fine up to 200mb.

Cat 5 is *supposed* to work up to 100m (i.e. the full length) in gigabit mode, in theory...

The only problem is when el-cheapo cables with half the conductors missing are supplied. In that case, gigabit will simply not work at all - but in all other cases Cat5 will do fine for Gigabit.

As Ignition once said, sucky quality cable is sucky quality cable. Crap quality Cat5e is just certified to suck all the way to 350Mhz.

[Edit]
Found it:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35225441-post11.html

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Rubbish, seen it done ages ago, don't you remember 50mbit configs on hacked modems.

Rubbish, my VMNG300 pulls my full allowance of 104Mbit, so where they got the 92 from I don't know!

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

He meant the 30Mbit product Virgin sell - which as it uses channel bonding is not possible to get with the older modems. Not whether the older modems are technically capable of over 30Mbit or not via hacking.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Thank you ben for the correction, never used the lower tiers, so didn't realise that.

What about my other point regarding 92mbit limit on vmng300?

Also, does that mean as the 100mbit users are moving to 120mbit and the 50mbit users are moving to 100 then 120mbit, that the 120mbit with have STM, thus meaning I'm now going to have STM where I don't at the moment?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

The bonding we dont know yet is actually extra capacity.

It could be new channels been added to do the bonding, or it could simply be merging of existing channels, so 2 single channels become one bonded.

The 400mbit may seem like a large upgrade but speeds are been doubled, there was a 200mbit tier been planned as well although I dont know whats happening with that now.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

120 upgrades with management then 200 without ?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Wouldn't 240 fit better?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

yeah probably..

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

so that the public don't bin their computers in landfill upgrading to a computer with gigabit once 120mb+ broadband is available.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I'm knackered then on this old workshop laptop of mine... P3-600 with an old PCMCIA wireless card ;)

Doesn't need though to be fast to run a web browser and the odd ECU programming software... Just tough to withstand the odd vehicle running it over :D

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

You get a 15/20 mtr white ethernet cable in the self install pack with a splitter and three pieces of rg6 cables and some male connectors and cable clips, no idea what cable it is as its in the loft, that is what i received in my self install kit, I doubt replacement hubs have cables with them as the Ambit 256 did not.

Engineers are supposed to leave an ethernet cable when they install a hub but they tend to be as rare as hens teeth.:erm:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

mine was a replacement, no ethernet just some plastic black spanner.. which isn't even strong enough to screw tight a coaxial.

also all of that which you have mentioned.. isn't it a bit much. wouldn't a tech visit be more appropriate for a new install.. which happens anyway so this install pack guide needed rectifying.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

it is supposed to be only fingertight.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

If i were to replace the Cat5e cable with a Cat6 would i notice any difference while surfing/gaming etc? 50mb BB here.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

A mere 20mbit boost for us paying the most on the highest tier of broadband... any plans to up that in the future?

Not exactly doubling the speed for us are they.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

And a reduction in price...i thought it was a good deal...might be tempted myself..in a few months

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Nope, difference between cat5e and cat6 is only to do with speeds above gigabit

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

cat5e is rated at 1gbit so it can handle anything VM throw at it atm without breaking a sweat

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Got my letter from Virgin this morning to confirm my broadband speed will be upped to 100mb.

Sorry if it's already been posted, but you can check when you will receive your upgrade here:

http://doublespeed.virginmedia.com/?...Speeds_Email_1

I'm April - July..... not too bad!

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Missed the reduction in price, was more interested in the POWER! seems fair though so I do agree :)

I say a mere 20mbit.. I remember when I was on 20mbit and it was the top product back then!

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Christ on a bike. And you work for Virgin?

The connection is supposed to be as tight as possible, loose connections out on the network and on CPE is the biggest cause of noise on the network.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

That's not right. It's supposed to be as tight as the plastic spanner makes it - which is designed to not overtighten it.

Otherwise it doesn't always come off again

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I used a metal spanner and broke off the connector. Now I can't get my Superhub to work anymore so I went back to my trusty old VMNG300.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Have you actually seen one of the plastic spanners we send out, they are sent out for one reason only to prevent you overtightening the f connector on the back of the modem thus preventing you from separating it from the casing which tends to happen with pliers if you are not careful.

---------- Post added at 20:35 ---------- Previous post was at 20:34 ----------

A perfect quote for why not to use a normal spanner, thank you.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Agreed but it is not supposed to be "finger tight" as suggested, it is supposed to be as tight as possible ( without breaking it obviously).

If we told everybody just to finger tight their c
onnections we'd increase SNR issues many fold

---------- Post added at 20:52 ---------- Previous post was at 20:48 ----------

I meant as tight as possible, in so far as a good firm connection. Not just trying to screw it together with you fingers, which would more than likely be a loose connection

But

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

We have to ask customers sometimes to undo their coax to diagnose 169ip issues and the coax should be able to be released without resorting to a pair of pliers or a spanner which is what is called finger tight.

Remember our online tools can see if the connection has degraded so we can advise them to tighten the connection, if you could see what we can see when we are connected to your modem you would understand, we can reboot your modem if required as well.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I've seen single customer view, I know the guy that developed it.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Is it the same guy who did red tools.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

No

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Just finger tight is incorrect, I was always taught (MOD spec) that it should be finger tight then one sixth of a turn (one flat face) more. Anything more is overkill and anything less means it can easily undo and attenuate the connection.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

:tu:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

SCV misses a couple of useful elements from Red Tools so I thought not, so you tend to run both tools together.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

But that's exactly why I use a normal spanner, not a plastic one. A plastic one wouldn't be able to remove the connector.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

That is what is supplied with all the modems and what they expect you to fit them with, but all technicians use their trusty pliers as they know exactly how much to tighten and when called out for a television fault they will tighten your coax while checking out the connection.

The spanner is not my idea and I expect it is their to prevent breaking the connector off more than anything.

One good thing it does get a few comments about it and it is interesting to see the different views over it.

So thank you Pierre, Kymmy and qasdfdsaq for some interesting posts and views.

Has anyone else any thoughts on the little plastic spanner provided with your modem.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

It can if you've used the plastic one to screw it on in the first place ;)

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

(I'm being obtuse and referring to ripping off the coax connector deliberatey as a reassurance measure ;))

I still have no intention of ever using a live Superhub on VM's network, which may well mean I'm "stuck" with Infinity until VM 400mb rolls around.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

If a new hub comes out to replace the superhub what are they going to call it? Superdooperhub? Or "Superhub (It really this time!)" or "Hub that actually works with wireless"

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Make up your mind... finger tight or use the plastic spanner (which will still make it tighter than finger tight) :rolleyes:

The actual torque figure I was taught was 15in/lbs (finger tight + one flat face) but looking at the available tools for the CTV industry it looks like it's now 20in/lbs

Do you think they'd be selling this otherwise

http://www.tecratools.com/pages/av/38320.html

The plastic spanners will probably spread their jaws at about 12-15in/lbs hence they are supplied.

I really do hate it when telephone support pretend to be hands on techies :(

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

We supply the plastic spanner which is half the size of the one you linked to and it is nowhere near as strong as the jaws open when you try to hard and you can stil undo it with your fingers.;)

The techs use pliers.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I had to take part in a trial about a year and a half ago whereby Virgin mailed out these plastic spanners to people who were having dodgy connections (multiple missed flaps on red tools), so obviously someone at Virgin thinks you need the plastic Spanner. Plus, it wouldn't be in any of those packs if it wasn't needed.

That said, the result of this trial was that most people didn't bother with the spanner, those that did said it made no difference (mostly because they didn't notice any issues in the first place) and not a single modem stopped flapping in Red tools. The odd customer that did have an issue needed a tech visit in the end, so you could argue that the spanner is pointless.

However, I think it's fair to say that not everyone has the same strength, especially in their fingers. The spanner is likely for those who aren't quite that strong to ensure a tight connection, whereas for a lot of us "finger tight" is sufficient. I know my modem is just fine and that was certainly finger tight.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

The one I linked to wasn't plastic but a torque wrench designed at 20in/lb (I thought that would have been obvious from the description and picture)

:rolleyes:

---------- Post added at 08:51 ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 ----------

The spanner gives a constant torque until it's jaws open.. well that should be the theory.. but anyone who's ever tried to use a cheap spanner on a stubborn nut knows that it depends on the speed you turn the spanner... too fast and the spanner just spreads it's jaws and doesn't tighten at all.. where as slow allows the plug to be tightened properly and to a greater torque than is finger tight..

Perhaps the telephone jockeys need training in how to use a plastic spanner :rolleyes:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I only glanced at it but the are many similar spanners available but that one is a nice price,most people just use the poor quality spanner provided and once the jaw spreads they will stop.

The techs just tend to use long nosed pliers as they can fit in most places.

No one has ever called up to complain about the supplied spanner so they probably presume its up to the job but at a price.

You may see one when you get your 50Mb and you can have a laugh.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I call it "spark plug tight", meaning finger tight then a quarter turn. I always used a shifter (adjustable spanner) just to give it a little nip up, taking care not to over tighten it.

Obviously for the average jo, VM cant afford for the HAM FISTED idiots amongst us to keep snapping off F connectors, so I suggest thats why they supply a plastic spanner.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Arrrgh !!!

Please guys, I have read thru vast swathes of this thread (an hour of my life I won't get back), and can't find the answer to this :-

Will our 10mb be going up to 20mb, and when ??

Over xmas we were discussing the BB, and I was wondering whether to upgrade (I link to work quite often, son now getting older so more hungry user of the BB). If that's going to happen anyway then obviously I'm not looking to pay any extra.

But are we looking at October/2014 ??

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

yes 10mb will be upgraded to 20mb, here is when: http://doublespeed.virginmedia.com/

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Actually, the formal and most up to date list of what will be upgraded to what could do with being edited into the first post. Mods? Anyone?

It'd save us scrolling through pages to find it each time - and VM don't have the list posted obviously anywhere on their site either.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Thank you :kiss:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

You would think solving outstanding capacity issues would be a priority over this. All I'm really after is a reliable 30Meg service.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I believe everywhere is getting a capacity upgrade to cope with this. They're investing all that money into something, it sure as hell isn't decent marketing or a decent DNS server.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

yeah, the reliability over the past 3 days has been hurredous, countless websites not working, internet connecting dying for 45mins at midnight yesterday, its been very frustrating. I reckon VM don't want to pay the ££ to solve the capacity problems. Surely it must be simple to upgrade to networking equipment and change some settings?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Doesn't list from speeds though, and is wrong for 50mb.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Not at the moment it's not. Any 50Mbit customers getting an increase before the summer will only go to 100Mbit.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

If it was simple, don't you think Virgin would have done it by now?
Yeah, there are plenty of instances where customers aren't getting the service they pay for - I get that, I understand that and Virgin should (at least partially) refund those customers.

However, it's not a simple case of plugging in some new equipment or twiddling some settings, there's quite a bit more to it than that. Sometimes entire new swathes of Fibre will need to be laid, which is expensive and sometimes requires planning permission from local councils - there's a real issue with delays there. There's lots of reasons why upgrades can take weeks or months to happen - expense is just one part of it.

Anyway, I didn't notice last night's outage but I don't use Virgin's DNS - I suggest people use OpenDNS or Google's DNS (I use both).

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

PM the full list to a mod and you may find that we'll edit the first post.. ;)

---------- Post added at 14:35 ---------- Previous post was at 14:24 ----------

PS.. I asked for a full list and not all the web pages... You can't expect us mods to do everything for you..

:PP:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

So for free I will be getting twice the speed I have now? Those on 100mb will be getting an extra 20mb AND money off their bill?

VirginMedia are ploughing money into upgrading their network and allowing their customers to enjoy the benefits for either nothing or even less money than they're paying now?

Am I missing something?

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Go to bed, it's Virgins way of saying you're online too much. It's not good for you.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

yes 50mb will be upgraded to 100mb by end of May and then 120mb at some point. They are being forced by BT to be competitive now that infinity is rolling out to 2/3rds of britain with speed of 80/20mb for FTTC and 300mb for FTTP.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Yes but its arguable areas with current issues should be getting higher priority whilst what will happen is instead VM will do a stock upgrade for each area which will be if its not enough then tough.

My gut guess is the stock upgrade will be 8 DS channels and bonding of "existing" US channels.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Soooooo, I've got a decision to make ... struggle along until July (or some time after that, cos my guess is the project will run late), on 10mb and parts of the house have poor wireless connection.

OR

Get on the phone to VM & see how much I will have to pay to update my package for a superhub & 30mb ...

Are they doing any deals ATM??

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

call 150 > 5 > 2

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I would get the upgrade and the superhub with it.. depending on for how much VM can do it for.. ring and see what they can offer

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Urgh. Had to scroll through 23(!) pages, but hopefully that will be the last time.

Maybe this would be a good time to point out that while VM claim:

The people who make the hardware inside the modem claim it is only capable of up to 320mb speeds.

---------- Post added at 17:50 ---------- Previous post was at 17:48 ----------

Wasn't me, guv!

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

lol I sat there reading like 30 pages to save any one getting angry at repeat questions which I probably did any way with a few I asked

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

What about > http://www.virginmedia.com/doublespeed < for people to check ?

:o:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Great, so all this tripe we have been getting about future proofing and that the shub is here to stay is rubbish because it'll be good for the next year and a bit for 200mbit (as long as the vmng300 was around) and then they'll have to get something else out for 400mbit.

Maybe we should speedtest the shub for them like they so kindly did the vmng300 for us :)

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Where? I thought the SuperHub is based on a variant of this one from Netgear

http://www.netgear.com/service-provi...00_CG3100.aspx

where they say:

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I'd rather watch pixie lott videos than that guy again.

---------- Post added at 18:20 ---------- Previous post was at 18:14 ----------

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Cab...utions/BCM3380

(I'd also mention that the BCM3380 was classed as a legacy, i.e. out of date product even at the time of the Superhub's release)

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

they key there is "up to", and I am sure you are familiar what context that gets used it when advertising speeds. I can believe it is based on that router though because evenNetgear advertise it as (drum roll):

Wireless-N delivers exceptional range and speed

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

That the right chipset?

According to this http://www.netgear.ru/upload/product...ds_06aug09.pdf

It uses: Broadcom 3380z (Cable), not the 3380. And then according to Broadcom:

The Broadcom BCM3380Z offers the same capabilities as the BCM3382 with the addition of a PCI Express interface for connection to a wireless networking solution.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I'm pretty sure. VM's Superhub has several component changes compared to that Netgear datasheet. The the exact chip is a BCM3380GKFSBG. The 3380 series has PCIe for external wireless networking as well.

(The datasheet also lists a BRCM53115s ethernet switch whereas the Superhub has a BRCM53114KFBG inside it.

The pessimist inside me suggests that the lower model number indicates VM deliberately chose a lower spec or inferior chip, i.e. downgrading from the Netgear base spec. Or they just got duped.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

"Delivering over 1000 DMIPS, the advanced VIPER™ processor and the four independent hardware assist engines deliver unmatched packet processing power"

just don't try and transfer a gig over your lan otherwise the unmatched processing power will cause the router to reboot.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

I'd say transferring stuff within your LAN should stay within the dedicated ethernet switch chip, and shouldn't be going anywhere near the CPU. Or in other words, that'd be the fault of the firmware not the processor chip itself.

Re: Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed
 

Ooooof from October to June 2013, the speed would have doubled again by the time i get the upgrade