Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I don't think i am a fool for paying £30 for a new router and modem.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Link to the info about this please.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Hi Griffin,

Thanks for the confirmation. :)

Phil.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

As one of those "fools", you appear to have me confused with someone who gives a toss....;)

So (if your hypothesis is correct), this will be free in 12 months, in that time I will have paid the equivalent of £2.50 per month for a 50% speed increase for that time period - works for me. :)

ymmv.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

They're not fools - if they want the speed upgrade and will find it useful then £30 might be worth every penny. Most people don't mind though: turn it on and as long it works and isn't dialup slow that'll do, although it doesn't make them fools. ;)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

in my case I went from a dodgy 300k upload to 0.85-1.05 upload (thoery was on 20mbit upload got capped to ease congestion).

went from download speeds which averages 10-18mbit/sec to decent 30mbit performance.

To me £30 one off especially when I am also getting equipment doesnt make me a fool. A year is a long time as well, waiting 12 months for something I use many hours a day to save a petty £30 is silly.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

i thought people on the "ntl" network were automaticly upgraded, i know i was, on every free upgrade. My friend on the other hand on the "telewest" network was not automaticly upgraded.


no1 is a fool, and you have no evidence to back your statement up regarding the 12 months thing, BUT... i do think the people paying £30 to upgrade would be better off upgrading to 50Mb which will cost them nothing, for 6 months which will add up to £30 then downgrade down to 30Mb, bobs your uncle.... but whatever they wana do.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

On the other hand if you're still sharing the same upstream channel as 20mb users, you're now getting 3x as much bandwidth as them and generating 3 times more congestion. Think of the poor souls on 20mb who are now getting <300k because of you!

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Some customers are on retention deals at those speeds. They don't want to change anything.

As for waiting 12 months, £30 to get something a year before everyone else. would still be a good deal in my eyes.. not that thats how it's going to work .. but for the sake of this point.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Not true, it all depends completely was tier you were on. Both ntl and telewest sold below what was (before it was withdrawn from sale) BB M. Either by design due to pricing (as BB S is now), or due to legacy packages.

When the tier uplifts on either network were done these were not included, if customers on these tiers wanted the new speeds they would have to request it and move to the approriate uplifted tier

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

They can do 38-50mbs, VM just don't want them to, too much contention.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Indeed. It's much easier to manage the higher speed services by using channel bonding, which requires DOCSIS 3 (and the SuperHub)

If Virgin were to do it based on the way the legacy network works it would cost too much to be worth doing for (the most part) no extra cost

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

:erm:

luckily for them 99% of my upload traffic is just ack's for my downloading. :)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

VM has posted this on their forum, copied here in full:

30Mb Upgrade FAQ
on 04-02-2011 18:02 - last edited on 04-02-2011 18:16

We've put together this FAQ to answer a number of your questions about our new 30Mb service.

1) What is the £30 activation fee for?

This one off fee covers the cost of migration and activation onto the new DOCSIS 3 network and processing for the exchange of the customers current modem and wireless router for the new advanced Wireless N Super Hub.


2) I've already got a SuperHub/VMNG300 modem, do I need to pay the activation fee?

No, a small number of customers that already have a Super Hub or VMNG300 modem will not have to pay the £30 activation fee to upgrade to 30Mb. We’ll let you know of any plans to automatically uplift customers onto 30Mb should this take place.


3) Why do I have to have an engineer when others are getting it as self install?

Some existing customers need to have a manned install to get them migrated to the DOCSIS 3 network for the 30Mb – this is essential to tune DOCSIS3 equipment, such as the SuperHub, to specific frequencies in your area and ensure the power levels and noise are within the correct ranges to ensure your service runs reliably and at full speed. Agents will advise you of this when you order and as network improvements are required the manned install will be free of charge.


4) Why am I having to pay more a month when your website says it's just a one off fee?

The standard bundle package price of 30Mb is £18.50, down from the previous £20 for 20Mb. If you have a special discount on your account, your upgrade to 30Mb would cancel out this discount, hence resulting in you seeing a net price increase.


5) I'm on XL (20) and don't want to pay the £30 fee, why can't I get the price reduction?

Many customers on 20Mb may already be getting the benefit of the £18.50 if they have the service as part of certain bundles. In this instance there will be no reduction in cost. Most 20Mb customers will see a price drop when they upgrade to 30Mb as this is an entirely different tier within our billing system, however we are unable to make changes to the standard tier price for 20Mb without the upgrade to 30Mb.


6) I've got a friend on Mates Rates who wants to upgrade, what do they need to do?

We are in the process of creating a Mates Rates plan for 30Mb and will let you know when it has launched soon.


7) Can you confirm what the upload speed is for the 30MB tier and when will I get that?

The upload speed for 30Mb is 3Mb in areas with faster uploads and 1Mb where the new speeds are yet to roll out. You can find out more about the rollout and when it is coming to your area at www.virginmedia.com/fasteruploads


8) What kind of performance can I expect from 30Mb?

As with all our fibre optic broadband services, our customers don’t suffer slow downs depending on where they live. 30Mb broadband runs on our DOCSIS 3.0 platform with bonded channels and with the new SuperHub we’re confident that this new service is going to perform well. We’ll be adding it to our typical speed performance data once we’ve got a good sample of customers on the product. You can check out our typical speeds at www.virginmedia.com/speedhonesty




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Wilkin
Help & Support forum manager

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

^^ Possibly the most useful post in this thread.

Wonder how long it'll take VM to actually publish it visibly on their website...

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Horizon, good post. You've posted answers to what most people have been asking and arguing about.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

So much for it not being free. Phoned continuously today speaking to new agents, and guess what? They gave it to us free eventually. We have to call back after Sunday to sort out the details of the postage of the super-hub, but other than that it's a done deal, only because the systems are down for upgrades or something.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I imagine when you call to arrange the postage any record of a "done deal" will magically disappear and you'll have to pay the £30 if you want carry on with the upgrade

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

That is how it should pan out because otherwise the will be a multitude of complaints.;)

---------- Post added at 21:31 ---------- Previous post was at 21:26 ----------

I would not hold my breath for a free upgrade and it might be a good idea to read this post.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35...-post1514.html

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

thanks horizon for pointing that page out, just got off the phone to cs,and am now on 30mb with no activation fee. It was also a uk call centre for a change which made things much easier.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

...so you had the superhub already and they've managed to switch you onto 30mb tonight without the fee. Is that correct? Are you on a retentions deal?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

yes have the hub already and yes switched to 30mb with no fee. No not on a retentions deal.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Ah, that explains it, thanks. There's me hoping I could switch tonight. At least we all know its "coming soon" now!

One fight won, now onto the next: tivvvooooooo. Let battle commence. :LOL:

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

They best not. >:[

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Did you have to point them to that page though?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Per the rest of the thread for people not on retentions deals and with the right kit already it's free, and always should have been. Zero fighting just getting through to staff who are able to read what's on their screen :)

The VM harem will be around within a few months with deals that will allow you to avoid paying the extortionate £18.50/month for the 30Mb so just a bit of patience should work.

TiVo will be more interesting, absolutely no reason, at all, for VM to be adding that to the retentions deals. Not that that's stopped them in the past.

---------- Post added at 22:51 ---------- Previous post was at 22:49 ----------

That's now. We both know how scared VM are of churn and how much they fail at calling the customer's bluff even when the customer has spent the past decade phoning up once a year to 'cancel'.

Just a question of time really.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

:LOL: Ignition, you sound like the mother-in-law!

You do realise, don't you, that vm make profit, lots!!, on all the deals they do? As for tivo, I don't need a retentions deal for that. I know what deal I'm getting. It's already game, set and match....but to vm. They get lots of dosh from me, so they're not complaining and neither am I.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Still amuses me how many posts in this thread are from people upset at being asked to pay list price in return for the upgrade. Class :)

---------- Post added at 22:59 ---------- Previous post was at 22:52 ----------

I didn't realise you had access to their profit / loss figures on each package. Most impressed.

You are aware that their operating margin is 10.39% according to Q3 results? That'll be that 'lots' of profit on all the deals they hand out :)

As I said though TiVo will be interesting. I'm sure they'd make loads of profit giving the new boxes for free to people who want them to run on their discounted TV packages ;)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Well, we won't go over that argument again. You think its reasonable that VM charge activation and/or upfront fees, I don't. And their margin is less as they're servicing all that debt, as you know full well.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

That's their operating margin, not their margin including servicing of debt. That would be the net profit margin as you evidently didn't know full well.

I think it's perfectly reasonable for VM charge fees upfront. Last I checked VM and any other operator can charge whatever they want to and you choose to pay it and take the product or not.

There is no argument there, you don't want to pay list price or pay activation fees and are happy to repeatedly phone them to try and avoid them is entirely your choice, there's no discussion of how 'reasonable' or otherwise it is, it's entirely reasonable as they aren't forcing you to pay it and take the product :)

IMHO unreasonable is charging different people different rates for the same products because one person has the time and knowledge to phone retentions until they get the deal they want and usually repeat the process every year while someone else, evidently loyal as they aren't phoning up to blag discounts, ends up paying more. Your mileage may, of course, vary.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

My upset comes from being told it's free, and then for them to constantly deny it. Why send letters telling me it's free, when it isn't? Why bother lying about it to get me to phone you to confirm it? I have no problems paying £30 for it as I've already said, but if they've offered it free then I want it free. It's not like I asked for it to be free - or demanded it. If they told me from the off it was £30, I would have still questioned them and paid the £30 for the upgrade, but they never. Also being told by different people it's an extra £10 a month, when others and their website says £30.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

You would only be advised of it costing you an additional £10 a month if you are on a Retentions deal giving you a discount as the upgrade cannot be given to customers on those deals.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Do you have a scan of the letter in question?

Would be good to see given that everything I've seen has either had something in the small print or has said 'no extra monthly charge'.

Everywhere I've seen also noted that people have to pay list price to get the 30Mb.

Out of interest..

Thanks for proving my point though, after you phoned all those times they shouldn't have touched you with a barge pole as you were clearly trying to blag one, but sure enough phone enough times and you get someone who'll give you what you want - the upgrade free of charge and keeping the existing retentions deal.

You'll probably find the £30 charge on your bill anyway at which point you phone in and complain and they credit it back to you.

So BenMCR, that no retentions deals on the new service lasted, mmm, less than a week. Par for the course, onto TiVo ;)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Ignition - as I think I said earlier in this thread or elsewhere, for 17 years I was paying full price. Then I came here and told all the "evil" deal seekers how bad they were. I was soon persuaded to the "dark" side and better off I am for it!

Trying to find that 10.3% figure in the results, where exactly is it?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Google symbol VMED, can also calculate them from the summary.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I don't mind paying the £30 provided I get a firm no from every direction. This thread alone shows that it's not a firm no for everybody. If they charge me the £30, I'll accept it provided I give them permission to charge me, not them charging me after offering the upgrade and I find it on the bill the following month. Again, its about lying and deceiving. As someone else has said, they're still making money, so why not haggle and get my bill lower? If they did mass post this to customers, then maybe they shouldn't have, they should have made them more specific for customers who have to pay, and those who don't.

I can't take a scan of the photo, I don't have a scanner. I took some photos with my webcam, well tried.

The small print doesn't say anything about charges that apply to us. It says the deal is only open to those on normal pricing, which we are, in cabled areas that support it, which we are.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

They seem to have omitted the key word "montly" from the letter. The online pages all state "no extra monthly cost".

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

well no point arguing now, we all know its free now if you already have a superhub as stated by an official representative of VM.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Just a word of caution. I upgraded to 30Mb last week. Where I had been getting the full 20Mb download and 2Mb upload - with the new Superhub I am getting barely a third of that wirelessly and the internet connection keeps dropping out. I am going to call Virgin today to try to cancel and revert to my original set up, using a Virgin modem and my own router.
Really wish I had never upgraded :(

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

You will need to call tomorrow as they are upgrading the systems today and they will just advise to callback as they can only do very basic functions.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Okay - but will it still be classed as 'within 7 days' as I ordered it last Monday?
Thanks

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

It should be fine as it will be from the day you activated it plus the systems will be down so they cannot change you back even if they wanted.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Okay - cheers ;)

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If you are using a Vista or Windows 7 machine then go to your Device Manager and check to see if you have an Atheros wireless adaptor if so connect via cable to the hub and update the driver usually sorts it out.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Hi - thanks - have just checked and I have the latest Atheros driver. The internet drop-out is an issue on the Laptop with Atheros, but the wireless range/speed issues to my home office (in a different room to the hub) are an even greater problem. Not impressed with the SuperHub at all. My old router covered the whole house (and Garden!) with a full strength signal allowing full speeds, the Hub seems to cover only one room fully. :confused:

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Change to channel 1 to see what happens

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Also make sure it isn't obstructed, or has loads of interference. Check your driver settings on your computer to prevent power saving mode, 100Mb full duplex, etc.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

My Shub has a better signal than the Netgear i had previously so either some settings are a bit skewed or the unit is faulty.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Thanks - have tried this already. Have tried different channels - currently on channel 5 - seems to be the best. Looking at neighbouring networks via InSSIDer there are 10 networks it finds, most on channel 11 or 1 - one on 6. Channel 5 seems to give me the best signal.

Have checked power and driver settings - all seem okay. Considering trying to move hub, but limited on where I can put it as it has to be connected to V+ box in front room via coax cable. Might be able to move it out into front room a bit more, but it will still be downstairs and my home office is upstairs. Bought an repeater, but it doesn't seem to help.

My old system consisted on the Virgin modem connected to my V+ box in the front room - connected via ethernet to a Linksys wireless router in my office upstairs. The wireless signal/speed in the office was excellent and I could use my media player, wii, and laptop in my front room with excellent speeds and a good signal. Now I get a good signal in the front room from the Superhub, but an extremely weak signal upstairs (plus the Internet dropping out - which might be a problem with the Laptop/Atheros, though I have the latest driver - each morning I have to go to the IPv4 settings, change to static, save, then change back to automatic IP address, then I get the internet. Each morning when I switch on, the Network comes up as Unidentified and no internet access - only doing the IPv4 thing seems to solve this. (Have tried everything else I have found on the internet to solve this, but nothing works long-term).

Thanks for your input - seem to be going round in circles with this - just wish I'd never screwed with my original set-up!

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Just got my 20 to 30 confirmation email:

That's £1.50 off my post VAT increase price, but I suppose the April increase will wipe that out.

Superhub delivery on 14th Feb.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

VM forgot to fill that part in on the email I received last week :doh: They did remember to fill in the superhub delivery date though, which should be the 11th I guess there is every possibility it could turn up early though.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Chances are the actual fiber optic connection is fine, but that you got one of the duff Super Hubs, like I did. I've had pretty much identical experiences to what you've described across your posts, including the Atheros laptop wireless N adapter problem (although I also had dropouts using the same laptop with it's original Intel Broadcom wireless G adapter). Even when the wireless works the coverage is much poorer than an N device should be. Sit tight and hope for a "modem only" patch so you can use superior third party routers for the rest of your network.

---

Right, to swing back on topic.

• My network is EuroDOCSIS3 compliant as evidenced by the blue top light on the Super Hub.
• I've been on 20Mbps for over a month.
• Upload contention ratio/speed improvements should be in March/April going from the PDF on the subject and using the nearest cities.

With all this in mind, I'm hoping there will be no £30 charge for the upgrade. Either way, how can I tell when it's available in my area? My concern is that it's available right now but I have to ring 151 to take advantage of it. I'd rather check on the website to see if the 30Mbps increase is possible before ringing up so I don't have to waste lots of time speaking to various different clueless call-centre individuals across the globe. And so I don't have to plug my abysmal Super Hub in a minute sooner than needed. :D

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

The 30Mb upgrade is available now to all users. The only difference is that you will only get 1Mb upload if your area has not been upgraded for the faster upload. When it is you'll get 3Mb up.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

...and you definately have to call 151 to get your connection upgraded for free, right?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I never bluff with VM each time they have either delayed the number being ported till they can speak to me, or speak to me quick & offer me a deal i can't refuse.
All the time they can give me an equivellent deal for an equal or better price i will stay, just need them to up me to 30mb as promised or get the 50mb for an extra £5pm

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

No it's 150 to do it. 151 will get through to faults who will have to transfer you back

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

To be fair it does say on the bottom of the web page that you can't have the upgrade while on a retention package.

http://shop.virginmedia.com/existing...broadband.html

Anyway...

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

That's been pointed out a dozen times but oh gosh no my retentions deal! Nooooooooo! You can't take my retentions deal!

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I know it says that but as part of my retentions deal it was inferred that i would be getting the 30mb, after all for only £10pm more than i iam paying now i would have been on 34.7mb down & 8.4mb up which is still faster than 30mb down & 3mb up.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Well the decision is yours to make and you can always come back in 12 months unless their contract is longer.:)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

True, going to see tomorrow if something can be sorted or if i can pay the extra £5pm for 50mb

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Let us know what they offer you.:)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

no problem, if i can get hold of someone in the uk who understands maths.
Tried yesterday with India & they couldn't grasp the fact that the difference between the 20mb at £20pm & 50mb at £25pm was £5 :D

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Oops, have I made a mistake - just reading some of these recent posts has me worried about my wireless connections? We use the netbooks/laptops upstairs. It sounds like the speed might be slower, and the connectivity less over distance? When I read the VM page on the Superhub it said better longer wireless distances?

I don't mind so much if I only end up with 20meg on the wireless (I guess), but I'd certainly like to guarantee it will work in the same areas of the house (as it promises greater areas).

Oops - I said I wouldn't panic/worry any more till it arrives on Fri.:o:

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

What they mean by the longer wireless range is wireless N, it has a bigger range then G which was on older wireless devices.

The superhub does work with all devices though, both G and N.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Cheers :)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Would I be out of line if I said that the superhub doesn't seem to be stable enough right now to risk an upgrade? I keep reading about dropped connections from the superhub and all sorts of other issues. I'd seriously consider going from the 20MB to 30MB upgrade, but not if the end result is something unstable or comes at the price of a very large headache. So far, an ambit 256 modem, my own wireless router and Virgin's 20mb connection has been stable and reliable, so I don't know if I should consider taking a leap of faith now for the extra 10MB speed increase or just wait 6 months or so for the firmware bugs to be worked out with the superhub and then ask for the upgrade.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Callanish - wish I could reassure you, but I upgraded from exactly the situation you describe and am regretting it already. I would advise waiting until the Superhub can be used as a modem only.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

They have set packages, they can't just carry a discount from one to the other so no issues with maths. The retention deal you were given was for 20Mb at a set price and anything that was 'inferred' about future upgrades shouldn't have been though not surprising.

If we're complaining about people's maths skills I could make some comment about 50mb at £25pm being 50mb at £25pm but... ;)

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Talking of retentions deals (I can see Ignition cheering at this point) they haven't updated their systems to give deals on 30mb. They might in the future, but not yet.

They can now switch those of us on retentions deals to 30mb, but they wanted to charge an extra £5 per month and the £30 activation fee. For my particular deal, the £5 per month extra is the same as the standard price.

I also asked about 50mb and they wanted to charge a ridiculous price. The retentions guy insisted both "deals" were better than standard prices, I beg to differ.

I'd be interested if anyone else on a deal hears something different from retentions.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Next time i get offered a retentions deal i am going to get it in writing, so they can't move the goal posts after you have accepted a deal.
After all when i was offered my deal it was inferred that it would go up to 30mb when it came along, nothing about having to lose my retentions deal to do it was mentioned just the price i would be paying.
To my way of thinking if they want to take my retentions deal away to upgrade, then that is not what i was offered in the first place.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Right .. So to clarify this , if I ring virgin up now , I have a super hub , it has the top light blue which I believe it means it's using docsis 3 , everything works fine will they upgrade me to 30mb without charge ?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Yep!

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As long as you don't have a retention deal.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

You say that, but in my experience my old WRT54GS sporting the slightly taller high gain antennas has way, way more range than the Super Hub in exactly the same place (although not running at exactly the same time) and that's only wireless G, without afterburner mode. Judging from this, I'd guess that with the regular antennas the range for G is about the same as the Super Hub on N devices. Which is very poor, relatively speaking. The Super Hub has worse range/performance than my D-Link DIR-615 D2, as a side note.

No, in my opinion you wouldn't be out of line. The one I've got is exceptionally underwhelming. I've been debating the advantages of 30Mbps and wondering whether it's worth risking changing my old Ambit 250/Linksys WRT54GS v2.1 main router setup and losing not only DD-WRT features but also wireless stability and connection throughput. For example, with one device connected wirelessly and none of the other things connected to the Gigabit ethernet switched on, I was averaging ~300kb/s on BitTorrent clients. Popped the old rig back in and speeds skyrocketed up to ~2500kb/s which for 20Mbps is where it should be.

Maybe you might get lucky and be sent one that works fine right out of the box, but if you're even slightly worried about it then wait a while until VM (or whoever "improves" their firmware) sort out the numerous bugs. I'm eager to see the modem only version and hope it isn't just a pipe dream.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Well phoned retentions today as my contract was up, got the superhub for free, never got a router with my 20meg service, and moving to the 30meg. Bill is also reduced. No £30 charge.

Bravo virgin.

Here it also states it's free

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadban...s-routers.html

New and existing customers:
Free when you add or upgrade to 30Mb broadband,
50Mb broadband or 100Mb broadband
£75 when taken with 10Mb broadband

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1146589237.png

happy days , still tried to charge me the £30 initially , speaking to offshore and he was really not interested and just wanted me off the phone but said he had sorted the upgrade , rang back and got an english call centre to find out what the other guy had done (as at first he said my superhub would arrive on monday even though i had told him i didnt need one) the english call centre was adamant that the £30 still had to be paid , whilst talking to him my hub reset and it was sorted , got him to check my account to make sure nothing had been ordered or charge made and he confirmed it was free , have sent him the url to the virgin media forum as he still didn't have a clue what was going on....

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

darkm, can I ask what package you're on and what you're currently paying? Retentions have said the exact opposite to me than what you was told. Thanks.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Line Rental 05 February - 04 March £12.24
Talk Mobile Credit 05 February - 04 March £-1.50
Talk Mobile 05 February - 04 March £1.50
Talk Unlimited 05 February - 04 March £8.00
Additional Loyalty Discount 05 February - 04 March £-1.75
Triple Combo Loyalty Discount 05 February - 04 March £-27.00
TV Size: X L 05 February - 04 March £25.00
Broadband Xl(20) 05 February - 04 March £37.00
Premium TV channels (Provided by Virgin Media Entertainment) £22.50
Description Date/period Amount
Sports1,Sports2 05 February - 04 March £22.50

service charge £75.99

Spoke to a very helpful guy from tyneside. I never did get a router from virgin so maybe thats why I got it for free.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Good result there Bulky! I'm thinking something similar will occur when I ring up.

Can I just ask... did you notice the revision of the Super Hub change after the upgrade? Here's the specs of mine, pre-30Mbps change, as a reference.

Standard Spec EU DOCSIS 3.0
Hardware Version 2.00
Software Version V5.5.2R20
MAC Address a0:21:b7:01:xx:xx
Serial Number 2HA20BUU0xxxx
CM Certificate Installed

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

thanks darkm.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I'm on XL bb & no other package, so that's around 36£ a month. Phoned up to get the 30mb upgrade and he tells me I'm now getting a £8.50 reduction on top of that. No idea why, he mentioned people usually get £1.50 off (which I saw in this thread) but I get more.
:) Can't complain!

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Standard Specification Compliant EU DOCSIS 3.0
Hardware Version 2.00
Software Version V5.5.2R20
MAC Address
Serial Number 2HA211U
CM Certificate Installed
Status
System Up Time 0 days 00h:42m:36s
Network Access Allowed
Device IP Address 86.

nope , seems the same at a quick glance

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Generally for basic use it be fine.

Timeouts I dont experience on outbound connections, eg. I can hold ssh connections fine to servers I manage. So I think thats only an issue on inbound connections.

The ping problem is a non issue if you dont need to ping yourself eg. dont use line quality graphs.

The missing features will depend if you need them or not.

For all but the timeout problems so far that I know off the DMZ workaround will resolve, however some things cannot be fixed with double NAT like voip functions on routers. As far as I know the WOL issue has no fix yet either.

VM let me keep my dir615 router which I expect will be the case with every self install, so DMZ will be an option to you with that.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

ok - update here - got the activation fee waived on my retention bundle, but still need to pay £5 per month extra. I will keep phoning over the next few weeks as its hardly a "special" deal and only a few quid cheaper than the standard price I'm paying.

Now on 30mb and very nice it is too.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Same thing happened to me back in October. I was persuaded not to cancel on the basis that my 20Mb would be updated to 30Mb around January. When I spoke to somebody in retentions last week, he as good as accused me of lying.

Up to that point I just wanted to get what had been agreed with me. After that, I signed up with BT Infinity within 15 minutes of putting the phone down.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Thanks for checking.

Perhaps someone more knowledgable on the subject could tell us all exactly what gets changed by technician which requires the Super Hub reboot?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

sending a new config to any cable modem requires it to reboot to apply the changes. since the superhub is all in one device I guess that means rebooting the entire router.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Description Amount
Customer Relations BBI Goodwill £-74.97

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...011/02/107.png
Mwhahahaha

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I really wish this could be gotten as a download from VM site and applied yourself, rather than having to mess about on the phone to get it done that way. Obviously with some kind of "advanced users only, you can break your internet connection if you don't do it right!" warning. :D

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

I had already done that when i got offered the deal to stay, got to admit i have been tempted to cancel as i am still within the extra 28 day period.
Then at least i would get a higher speed up & down with bt infinity.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

It doesn't quite work that way. You can neither download the config file nor have any control over which one is downloaded.

The cable modem automatically locates and downloads a config file as instructed by the network infrastructure each and every time it boots up as part of the startup process.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

haha I take it you had a retentions deal then and are now on 30mbit same as me?

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Ah yes, of course it does. I should know this, having looked at the Ambit modem logs enough times. :o:

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

even firmware updates will be delivered this way as well, so in the past when you choose what firmware to run on router (new one may be buggy), now VM will shove the firmware out over the network when they want to upgrade people and the superhub will automatically update itself with new firmware.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Nope, just phoned up retentions and made them give me back a load of money they owed me. Actually they seem to have given me too much off, my bill's -£37 or so this month.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

So you don't want firmware sent out without it being thoroughly tested, yet aren't happy that Virgin are taking their time to release the modem only mode

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Wow talk about spin.

How have you gone from me talking about holding your hand automated firmware updates to new firmware development? I also wasnt complaining about it but you in full defense paranoia mode.

The new firmware if and when it comes will have bugs, its a fact of life, I have yet to come across a router that has bug free firmware, however it is a downside for the user to not have the ability to rollback firmware should they need to which is all I was stating.

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Had mine activated before and i'm getting rock solid 30mbit :)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...011/02/105.png

Are the levels ok tho?


Connection

Startup Procedure
Procedure Status Comment
Acquire Downstream Channel 314750000 Hz Locked
Connectivity State OK Operational
Boot State OK Operational
Configuration File OK
Security Enabled BPI+
Downstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power SNR Docsis/EuroDocsis locked
Locked QAM256 117 55616000 Kbits/sec 314750000 Hz 8.8 dBmV 41.2 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 115 55616000 Kbits/sec 298750000 Hz 8.3 dBmV 41.3 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 116 55616000 Kbits/sec 306750000 Hz 8.4 dBmV 41.4 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 118 55616000 Kbits/sec 322750000 Hz 9.0 dBmV 41.6 dB Hybrid
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Upstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power
Locked ATDMA 2 20480 Kbits/sec 35800000 Hz 35.7 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Primary Downstream Service Flow
Downstream(0)
SFID 21546
Max Traffic Rate 33330000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 3044 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Primary Upstream Service Flow
Upstream(0)
SFID 21541
Max Traffic Rate 3333000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 8160 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Max Concatenated Burst 8160 bytes
Scheduling Type Best Effort
Current System Time:Mon Feb 07 17:18:07 2011

That is with that module on the front of the cable, +5 or 6 i think it is

Re: [Update] ALL 20>30Mb upgrade discussion
 

Why not have users volunteer to be beta testers for the firmware, this has been the way forward for firefox.
I have been a beta tester all the way through with firefox 4,advantages are you get to use the new stuff first.
There are disadvantages too but its the only way to get software or even firmware running properly.