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

now the superhub is booting again, and this.

Downstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power SNR Docsis/EuroDocsis locked
Locked QAM256 136 55616000 Kbits/sec 323000000 Hz 45.6 dBmV 42.4 dB Hybrid
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown

nice power level? and back on overlay channel.

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

wow..what a stressful day. Its taken 8 hours from connecting the superhub and only started working in the last 20 minutes. Really cant understand this as i had a perfect connection before this.

They are sending an engineer out after stating that I had too much 'power' coming in ?? :p: I think I will cancel him now its working.

Anyway seems ok now!

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

I think this is starting to look like VM fiddling, I am now on a new upstream overlay channel as well.

Upstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power
Locked TDMA 7 10240 Kbits/sec 44000000 Hz 45.2 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV

can see thats not just a different channel ID its also a different frequency.

and now back on this one.

Upstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power
Locked TDMA 8 10240 Kbits/sec 47400000 Hz 45.7 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV

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

The dynamic upstream balancing is normal and nothing to worry about, you're just in an area with two unbonded channels.

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

NO. You support them as part of the Ts&Cs of the contract, for which you charge a lot of money!

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

No we support, repair, replace our equipment which at all times remains the property of Virginmedia, you never own a Virginmedia modem or a set top box ever.

If you are unhappy with the price they ask then go to SKY where you can purchase your box and after 12 months you can take out insurance at around £10 per month to cover for any faults, this is of course on top of your subscription.

Also if you report a fault that needs an engineer I will offer the first available which can be the same day, on SKY it may be next week, i know which I would prefer.

I have been a customer a lot longer than a member of staff and I have had SKY as well and once bitten I would never go back to SKY, 3 boxes in 4 months is not on, but it got me out of the contract.

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

Correct. But don't claim you do it "for free" - you do it because I pay for it as part of my contract.

I didn't make any comment about my satisfaction with the cost of that contract. And why bring in comparisons with Sky, that's totally irrelevant.

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

Of course we pay in our subscription as we do with all utilities except SKY after 12 months.;)

I receive my Superhub tomorrow which will be interesting.:)

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

well I just randomly clicked on it after doing something else for a while and it appears to almost be working.

4 downstream channels with good power.
upstream channel 7 (was 8 when last working).
network access 'allowed' in hub status, but I have no ip assigned.

<edit> got an ip now, is a new ip, and latency is currently the lowest I have ever seen at this time of day..

http://www.pingtest.net/result/34329949.png

ballsed up reseg during peak?

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/81.png

will keep the tech appointment even if stays up for rest of night as I didnt like that I couldnt power up the modem in numerous attempts and then randomly it booted up.

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

I still got 4 old modems and a wireless n router from VM and hide them all away. Netgear wn2000, Dir 615, Ambit 256, Scientific Atlanta 2100 & VMNG300

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

I'll be honest, I think that's pretty reasonable, especially in cases where the customer doesn't really understand technology all that well.

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

The routers are OK to keep but the modems have probably been deleted from the inventory and therefore the only use for them will be as paperweights or doorstops so little point in squirrelling them away as they will never be re activated by Virginmedia.;)

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

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/78.png

3.75Mb/s from usenet.

VM Engineer just left.

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

They will re-activated as I kept the 0800 number to say I got modem here and want to activated mac address and they will do it in no time! They never ask you about what service you are on eg: 10, 30 or 50 Meg

---------- Post added at 12:43 ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 ----------

What happen to this site: http://speedtest.net.uk (never work for the last 2 days now) has virgin media taken this off ?

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

I can't even be bothered

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

To be honest, I wasn't going back to old modem. I am happy with superhub, no problem at all. No issues at all.

If one day, if virgin tech guy come out, I will give him all the old modems to get out of here. I will not post it, cos what if they lose it and virgin media don't believe in me and might charge me.

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

This site had nothing to do with Virgin Media.

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

Virgin don't collect modems anymore so don't charge if they are not returned

If you didn't return your SuperHub when you left, then you would be charged

Also Virgin always arrange for someone to come collect the kit they want back now

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

Take the ".uk" off the end so it's just speedtest.net

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

speedtest.net is a different site entirely. he's talking about speedtest.net.uk

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

Ah sorry my mistake :doh:

Re: 20 Mb/s to 30Mb/s free upgrade
 

It shouldn`t matter that I get a bundle discount,new customers would surely get the same? My argument though is they shouldn`t charge 2 different prices for the same service. Other companies are starting to wake up to this,such as o2 and Orange. I think virgin will wake up to this unfair priceing eventurly but as they`re fairly slow at acting on most things it`ll probably be another year or so!

Re: 20 Mb/s to 30Mb/s free upgrade
 

Yes they get the same, which is what takes it down to the price advertised. They don't get a discount on top of what is advertised

So a customer taking out 30Mbit today for £18.50 would get a bill which says £37 - £18.50 discount

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

Well 24 hours and come and gone and my Superhib is still nothing more than a desk ornament. Didn't get the promised call back so eventually rang them back only to be told "we have a systems problem" so they still haven't added my MAC no. to their system - doesn't explain why they didn't bother trying to contact me to tell me this of cause - now I'm "assured" someone will rng me when they're up and running - they must think I'm daft or something.

It all reminds me of when i was with the original cable co blueyonder - with their amazing variable monthly bills which were never the same two months running..

Well I'm guessing it'll be next week before the poor sod who has to do the manual inputting gets round to my MAC no. if at all ...

DinAlt

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

Actually the 'system issues' is not a lie, it is something that is affecting the internal systems today

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

last weekend's upgrade went badly?

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

I recieved my superhub today. I rang 150 through the phone line and the guy on the phone said that he had activated the "services". Problem was, that I didn't actually connect the thing in. It was still in it's packaging. I did a few speedtests and I was still at 20mb speed. I then rang the activation number, and they sent some signals to my hub and refreshed the connection. I was told that I would see the 30mb speed difference tommorow because it has to refresh at midnight or something. I don't understand, everyone here saw their speed difference immediately ????

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

Mine wasnt immediate, in fact mine wouldnt even get online at all.

As I understand it these superhubs are buggy on activations, I had to do a 2nd call and the guy did about 5 forced resends of the config to bring it alive. I then got a lagged config send just after midnight the first night. Which was probably my original activation. So you probably will be waiting unless you get them to force it down the modem's throat.

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

Mine wasn't immediate either, in fact the advisor with a strong non-english accent told me "If you get a link to activate your new hub, follow it.", something Masque said on another thread that we should never do... Makes me wonder why the advisor told me to follow it..

In fact after 2hrs of no connectivity, I called 151, and spoke to a Scottish accent, and they did something their end, and after rebooting the hub 4 times, I finally popped online.

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

We finally got all sorted about 50 minutes ago and the internet is flying!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/75.png

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

I must be one of the lucky ones. :)

Mine arrived Saturday, 3 days early.
Plugged it in and once it had settled the 30mb connection showed up. (Blue light.)
Phoned to activate it, got straight through and was online within 5 minutes.
I was well happy.

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

Since i've been on 30mb last Friday and on usb n wireless with the superhub the results of speed have been great and i have had no trouble.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/73.png

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

Yeah, well took about 6 reboots before it settled down but I was up and running at full speed in 30 to 45 minutes after activation.
I wish I could say the same about my network. Damn software firewalls had a devil of a job auto detecting and for some reason manually inputting the IP and subnet wouldn't work either.
Then after fiddling all yesterday evening and this afternoon it just "sorted itself out" :confused: PC networking is a huge PITA. :)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/71.png

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

Hi

I have super Hub with XL sub, does anyone now when Peterborough gets 30MB? I got hub as free upgrade so do not want to pay £30 activation fee if I can help any idea's?:confused:

I am getting:-
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/69.png

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

The update won't happen unless you ring and ask for it, as for the £30 you may not have to pay it as you already have the hub (as stated by those who have posted earlier in the thread)

I'm in Peterborough too, and our hub arrives next thursday so there is no issue of not having 30mb in our area and also the upload upgrade has also taken place for us already.

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

My activation today was really buggy - took two calls to activations and a call to faults to get things finally sorted (and faults rang me back as promised to check up on me - and continue to try to fix it). I have to say although there were hiccups I had excellent service today working through it. The guy I spoke to in faults had someone else with the exact same issues I was having - but said it was the first time he'd come across it so there may have been something going on internally in the system that was causing the problem. But he got me up and running and was very pleased.

I mentioned I wished there was a way we could give positive feedback on CS (as everyone's so quick to write about negative experiences) and he said he could give me his team leader's email if I wanted to write something. Which I did. Just my .02, it would be nice if more people did this. Certainly in future I will do the same again if there's someone who's given me good quality service - I will ask for their team leader's email so I can give them some positive feedback :)

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

If your email address is listed on the account then you may receive a NPS feedback email which you fill in and we receive a email with a certificate.

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

I'd happily fill one of those in as well. I just knew those were random and I think it's only fair to give credit where it's due :)

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

They are supposed to be random but I have had a few and I always fill them out.;)

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

Well it's been midnight and still no sign of speed being 30mb. I checked the operation config and it still gives a max transmit rate of 20mb. :(

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

Have you rebooted the Superhub as the top light must change to blue to be on the Docsis 3 platform if not you will have to call support from 0800 this morning.

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

Update:-

I have just rang VM, Spoke to Mike in regards to 30MB and a few other issues I have had in last 2/3weeks.:mad::confused:

I explained my upgrade and new 12 month deal, looked through my a/c advised that 30MB avail in my location and as already had Super Hub its free to 30MB for me (No £30 fee) and system also took off additional £1.50 my bill per month for 12 months.

Mike then activated the Super Hub for 30MB,advised may take a few hours for speed to stablize:-

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/59.png;);)

I am a happy very Chap!;)

And now:-

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/60.png;););)

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

Yes, I just did this and it still states in the operation config that the max downstream traffic rate is 20480000 bps which equates to 20mb. Looks like I'm going to have to give VM an earache. :mad:

---------- Post added at 11:31 ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 ----------

While I was on the phone to VM I checked the hub connection page and saw that it had updated, did a speed test and it's safe to say that I'm more than happy :D
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/58.png

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

Just got a Residential Services Contract from VM, to upgrade to 30Mb.

Monthly service charge as expected (line rental, Talk Weekends, BBXL 30, TVXL, At Races and EBill discount =£54.24)

BUT:

30Mb activation charge, Virgin Media Superhub, Manned Installation Charge £70!!!!

SEVENTY QUID!!! WTF!!!

And what is At Races? ? ?

Re: 20 Mb/s to 30Mb/s free upgrade
 

Has this been the general experience of exisiting 20MB customers, the fee being tacked on your next bill I mean?

Ta

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

I got billed £70 as well but then ended up paying £0 not even the £30 one off.

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

Minutes after my last post, a nice man came to the door with my Superhub! 2 days early!

Installed and running now!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Re: 20 Mb/s to 30Mb/s free upgrade
 

I have had the upgrade and not paid anything by CC, so I am expecting the £30.00 to be charged on my next Bill.

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

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/54.png

Good thing I rarely upload stuff......

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

I guess you won't be torrenting anything for a while then......:erm:

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

The speed test is wrong, try another one.

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

Try this one http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

Yours should be similar to this http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/res...068&v=12099134

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

Never touched the things..... :angel:

---------- Post added at 17:11 ---------- Previous post was at 17:09 ----------

Download Speed: 31884 kbps (3985.5 KB/sec ) Upload Speed: 362 kbps (45.3 KB/sec )

Download Speed: 31792 kbps (3974 KB/sec ) Upload Speed: 233 kbps (29.1 KB/sec )

Download Speed: 21678 kbps (2709.8 KB/sec ) Upload Speed: 272 kbps (34 KB/sec )

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/52.png

---------- Post added at 17:22 ---------- Previous post was at 17:11 ----------

All those tests done with Opera as my browser, just tried in Firefox

Download Speed: 31684 kbps (3960.5 KB/sec ) Upload Speed: 1159 kbps (144.9 KB/sec )

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/53.png

So Opera might be a fast downloader, but it appears to be a very slow uploader! :shocked:

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

Had some ongoing problems with being kicked out post 30 mb installation. First time I phoned the help desk they remotely went into the superhub and did something or other and after that no change for the better. After this phoned again and they did some more tinkering and also sent some "refreshing signals" to the superhub and for the last couple of hours things have been fast and fine - hope it stays that way.

Anyway I'm just off to open a beer for my own bit of "refreshment".

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

Hmmm...
Thought things were going smoothly but.....
In spite of disabling the firewall and IP flood detection......

When I loaded a fast well seeded torrent (purely for testing of course) the wireless just kept dropping and reconnecting. As soon as the torrent completed normal service was resumed. Browsing wirelessly while the torrent was runnning was impossible. :(

I've had a ambit 256 with a lynksys wrt54G2 in the past and then went to an ordinary Hub and I have never had this problem before.

I am slowly coming round to the view that this lessthansuperhub really is a POS.

I have changed the channels around (yet again) and opted for 145 as the 802.11 mode. I doubt it will make a difference.

It would seem the router hardware can't cope with heavy loading. :( If so no firmware update will fix it.

Roll on this bridge mode update. I think I might get a cheapo DIR-615 off EBay to play with. ;)

Oh and this damn time out thing from the interface most of the time when you change a setting is so annoying. :mad:

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

I think many issues are memory/resource related yes.

few things point to this.

1 - very low default timeout values (indicates a low capability of connection capacity).
2 - issues I get with port forwarding on and even when just using DMZ.
3 - issues people have had using gigabit speeds stressing the unit.

a new firmware may well fix these issues tho as firmware updates can achieve wonderful things even on poor hardware. I have seen poor routers turn decent with new firmware and good routers turn poor with firmware updates. One thing that will probably never change is the lack of features (will stay too dumbed down), but I like to think the bugs and reliability will be fixed.

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

Let's hope so.

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

Hi guys, is phoning up to activate all automated? Bit late atm and only bothering to do it now.

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

no is human controlled.

---------- Post added at 00:28 ---------- Previous post was at 00:28 ----------

given it can be a wait till the next midnight I would leave it until after sleep.

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

Well that worked! :D But still waiting on the hub, what time do they do deliveries until?

No bother it's just arrived and I've just set it up.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2011/02/36.png

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

I received a text giving the ETA.

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

OK, two weeks since 30Mb was launched and I've tried to keep my ear to the ground but may have missed it. Any news for 20mb customers who already had a Super Hub?

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

If you have the hub try ringing up and asking if you can have it for free.

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

I may have jumped the gun opting to upgrade to 30Mb from 20Mb with a one-off fee of £30.

Just got a flyer from VM telling me that I could have upgraded to 50Mb for only £5 more per month and no installation cost, kit fee, or activation fee saving me £70!!

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

You have the hub so ring up and ask what they can do for you.:)

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

Can a staff member confirm if this is ok

Upstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power
Locked ATDMA 2 20480 Kbits/sec 45800000 Hz 50.7 dBmV

The upstream part says it set to 3 meg upload but does the above conflict with it?

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

Are you still in your cancellation period? It did say on the upgrade pages 50mb is only £5 more for those on standard pricing.

Anyhow, you're not really "saving" £70 as you weren't going to have those charges anyway. You'd save £30 but pay £5 extra, which is only £30 more over the course of the year. So basically £30 for 30mb or £60 per year for 50mb.

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

Post the rest of the page please.

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

Startup Procedure
Procedure Status Comment
Acquire Downstream Channel 299000000 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 78 55616000 Kbits/sec 299000000 Hz 5.6 dBmV 44.8 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 79 55616000 Kbits/sec 307000000 Hz 5.6 dBmV 45.3 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 80 55616000 Kbits/sec 315000000 Hz 5.5 dBmV 44.7 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
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 45800000 Hz 50.7 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 6151
Max Traffic Rate 33330000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 3044 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Primary Upstream Service Flow
Upstream(0)
SFID 6150
Max Traffic Rate 3333000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 8160 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Max Concatenated Burst 8160 bytes
Scheduling Type Best Effort

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

You do have a 3Mb upstream so thanks for posting the rest of the config.

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

Yeah I know, but I cant get it lol

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

You have rang up and did they give a reason or a fault reference.

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

Rung up a few times, no fault ref given, supposed to be getting a call back, second line team looking at it. First call they gave me the ubr is over congested utilized.. But my last phonecall I seem to get more help from the agent who is being persitant with the second line team as im getting the same 1.7meg upload speed at any given time. I would expect some sort of varation if the ubr was over utilized..It does seem to me there is a cap on my line for upload.

I have tried different os, disabled firewall both on router and OS, disabled ip flood detection, tried with my laptop hard wired and still no joy. so im lost as to what to do at the minute.

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

You need to call back and be persistent, if you can call tomorrow morning from 0800.

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

I am being persistent, I called last night and they wouldnt take it any further and the manager that I spoke to said I should be happy with 1.6 upload. I said thats not the point I should receive near 3meg upload. You would look into it if I only received 15meg download so why not because im recieivng half of my upload speed?#

There is no faults in my area? I can only assume there is a cap applied. The agent today was more helpful and said the second line team are investagting and I would get a call back but I had spoke to agent in the morning who said I would get a call back in a half an hour and sure I didnt receive one.

I have stressed my download speed is great, overall im happy just pls sort the upload issue out.

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

Please see this thread:

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/.../305949/page/4

And post on the VM community forums. If it's the same problem, the second-line folk there will check if the slot size is correct and advise if there's any other issues.

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

many thanks for that

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

Exactly. For me, because of the ADSL contention ratio being what it is even after boosting to 1/10, a big part of upgrading is the improved upload speeds.

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

just to give you an update, I know managed to get an engineer out tommorow to have a look.

I did ask the agent have you checked the mini slot size value and that it has reverted back to its original value as it seems like a known issue. And I asked again and again which he didnt reply to it. I didnt want it be something really easy to fix remotely instead of wasting an engineers time.

Still from some people saying you should be happy with your upload to others saying do you want to cancel, now I have one booking an engineer to call out.

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

Just got my 30mb installed via an engineer, no idea why i needed an engineer as all he did was plug it in and watch it until it was connected, he didn't make any changes in the cabinet.

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

Engineer called today replaced the hub, replaced some of the connections, upload speed still the same.

He did confirm it wasnt a utilization issue which I was told on the phone (feeling angry about that) He has arranged for his manager to call on monday to check the connection and also check from the cabinet. Once done then he will raise it to the network team to check

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

Using http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

Average readings from 6 consecutive tests:

Opera dl 31998 ul 359
Firefox dl 31613 ul 1444
Internet Explorer dl 31493 ul 347

So my upload speed is till 10% of what it should be with Opera and Internet Explorer, and half with Firefox? :dunce:

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

anybody in Belfast having problems with slow dl speed, on 30 meg and I can only get near 4 meg max, not traffic managed....

I did notice on speedtest my server or reconmmended speed test seems to have changed from london to derry?

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

Speedtest.net is only giving me 20Mbit tonight and broadbandmax isn't much better.

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

Try this http://www.virginmedia.com/testmyspeed/manual.php

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

I think the above manual speed test is a really bad idea, as, due to testing methodology, it will always give inflated results. The better option would to be to use something like DU Meter which gives extremely accurate by-the-second readouts of download speed, showing not only speed but stability, spikes, averages, etc. It'll combine the 4 downloads for you and take into account any other background activity on your line as well.

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

Well anyone calling in regards slow speeds will always be asked to download some large files from there while our 2nd line agents connect direct to the uBR to check the download speed, upload speed, bandwidth available and if they can flood the connection with pings.

They will be able to give the most accurate assessment of your speed which no speed test of any sort can provide.

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

Yes, but you told him to do the test himself, not to contact 2nd line. An end user doing this test themselves would yield inaccurate and inflated results, considerably less accurate than with other methods, such as the one I described.

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

If I run that test as shown it is more accurate than say speedtest.net and is simple enough to use as the link gives good clear concise instructions.

We will ask most customers to run a quick test on speedtest.net and if the speed is nowhere near their account speed we then go to gamefiles and check there and once we get similar results we ring 2nd line if we can find no outages.

I know what you mean about DU Meter but the instructions in the link are simple enough to follow and if they are still unhappy with the speed then they ring us and we check the connection.

I am running 6 files from Gamefiles at the moment getting just under 4Mbps which resolves to around 32Mb which matches my speedtest .net results.

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

It can be more accurate, but it can also be less so. And while I'll agree the instructions are fine, and no speed test is definitive, that particular test is much more vulnerable to being skewed by factors such as the user's machine and the timing of the user's actions. Having to manually add up four numbers that *will* be actively changing and counting on an end-user to accurately do math adds extra variance factors. It might give you a ballpark figure, but that's it, and it's definitely prone to over-estimating speed rather than underestimating, which may be why VM like it so much...

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

It gives similar results to every other speedtest that I have used with my machine even ones not in the public domain.;)

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

But does it matter if one is getting 26.8Mb/s rather than 30Mb/s?

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

As it is classed as an up to figure and you are getting 27Mb it may not be classed as an issue as it is well within range for 30Mb, but I know you have had that speed since install so maybe a call to support on Monday would be in order as the may well be a fault that needs sorting out.

The config is set at 33Mb and many like myself do get over 30Mb.

I am thinking of your replacement modem while you were still on 20Mb and you still have the same issue, I would definitely call up and get them to check the connection.

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

I think we need to get past the constant "it works for me" attitude. Just because it works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone, or that it isn't fundamentally flawed.

It has too many variable factors - for one, how your browser average download speeds, how fast a user clicks "Save", etc. to be considered on any level a scientific test. Other factors will skew it even more.

I just did the test in Firefox, 43mbps with one file, 52mbps with 4 in Firefox. With Internet Explorer, it gave me 64mbps, that's before adding on the 10% they tell you to - do that and it's 70mbps, a result that's clearly impossible on my 50mb connection, while following the same instructions, and while actually transferring data at the same speed. Why? IE8 shows average speeds for the whole download, Firefox (4b11) only shows the average of the last few seconds. This alone makes results incomparable, that's without incorporating factors such as how fast a user clicks or computer performance. IE6/7 behaves differently again, with precaching and stuff going on that wildly skews numbers even further. I could probably get it to say 100mbps if I clicked as slowly as some of my colleagues do in the office...

Like I said, ballpark figure to figure out if the connection's working? Sure. Any sort of accurate result even close to commercial speed tests? Not a chance in hell.

---------- Post added at 23:46 ---------- Previous post was at 23:46 ----------

Does it matter if the test says 70mbps on a 50mb connection? That's how far off it is.

Sure, 26.8 out of 30 is fine. I wouldn't complain about that. But a test that will overestimate by that much I cannot and will never trust.

[Edit]
Just did it again, IE8, following instructions to the letter, but left downloads for 45 seconds instead of 30. Cleared browser cache, started 4 downloads of >400MB files, left downloads "to settle" for 45 seconds and took a screenshot to snapshot speeds. 57.84mbps "data related to the files being transferred". Add on 10% as they instruct, that'd be 63.62mbps. :rolleyes:

Now I'm a technically competent person with a fast computer, no firewall or AV (temporarily disabled) and a connection that's pretty much working perfectly bang on it's correct speed right now. If the test gets things this wrong for me, how useful could it ever be for your average layman?

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

I am also curious why they need to download 4 at once, I can get 3.8meg/sec on one file only. The only reasons I would think of needing to do 4 are.

1 - to hide congestion as multi threaded in congestion conditions gives a bigger share of bandwidth.
2 - to hide rtt variance (jitter), if base latency is also high then it would mean need a higher tcp rwin to sustain higher speeds single threaded.
3 - if on windows XP or older with a small default rwin setting. (on gigabit lan it defaults much higher tho).

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

Probably both 1) and 2).

Samknows data already shows VM is more affected by single vs. multithreaded tests (gains most from going from 1 to multiple download streams) and have the highest jitter.

Plus as I say, the using multiple files in itself inflates numbers with Internet Explorer.

That said, a lot of advertising about faster broadband speeds these days has tended towards "do more things at a time" rather than "do one thing faster" as companies find it harder to maintain one fast connection vs. several slightly slower ones. If network performance isn't sufficient to fill the pipe with one connection (which is becoming the case more and more often, not always the fault of the ISP mind you) then several will fill the pipe better, but only to the detriment of other users.

Essentially if there isn't enough bandwidth for everybody, running more downloads means you end up taking proportionally more, partly masking the problem. And gives an artificially inflated speed with what is still the most common browser. No wonder VM like it...

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

Can confirm that speedtest.net is giving false readings at the minute, download speed is fine

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

It balances out the download because if one file is downloading very slowly but the other is flying that indicates an issue, whenever I download all files are fairly well balanced.

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

that test will always report file 1 fastest file 2 next 3 3rd and 4th slowest because when file 1 starts it will have max speed, when file 2 starts its sharing with file 1 and so on, the browser reports average not live speed.

unless of course can start all 4 at exactly the same time somehow like using a download manager.

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

I have no idea why you would think that as they should not all balance out because if you try the link they will all start to match up to the same speed.

You will get the same result using Firefox or Internet Explorer.