Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Broadband industry leaders are to meet ministers to discuss how to stop the UK dropping into the internet "slow lane".

More than half of all UK homes now have a broadband connection, at an average speed of four megabits a second (Mbps).

But the broadband summit will hear other countries are moving more quickly to build ultra-fast networks that can deliver speeds of as much as 100 Mbps.

Ministers say ultra-fast broadband will be a key to helping UK businesses "innovate, grow and create wealth".

Average speed

"We need to be discussing how we can put this new network into place, because delay could be a barrier to the future success of our economy," said Stephen Timms, minister for competitiveness.

The broadband summit will discuss how industry, government and regulators can make sure Britain gets the next-generation network that will be needed as services like internet video take off.

Copper lines

BT - Britain's biggest broadband provider - has already warned that it may struggle to pay for an ultra-fast network.

But cable company Virgin says it will deliver 50 Mbps broadband by the end of next year - more than twice the maximum speed it currently offers.

Virgin's 50 Mbps service will be available to more than 70% of the 12.5m homes its cable network covers by the end of 2008, the firm said.

The company is not digging up streets or laying new fibre to homes, but is installing new equipment at the hubs and bundling together spare channels on the line.

Most of Britain's broadband access is delivered through existing copper telephone lines, which were never designed to deliver ultra-fast broadband.

BT is due to roll out ADSL2+ in the coming years but speeds will be limited to a maximum of 24 Mbps.

In the US, companies such as Verizon have invested billions of dollars in fibre to the home, providing hundreds of video channels and high-speed broadband.

BT is investing £10bn in speeding up the existing network, which includes some fibre, and will be able to deliver download speeds of 24 Mbps by 2011.

I got this from a thread on nforce :)
If It's been posted please delete :)

Thanks .
Ontopic.

What is the point of 50 mb lines?
Imagine the cap we'd get from them probably every1 from 4 pm till 12 am will be put back to 3 mbs :(

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

and a transfer to DOCSIS 3.0

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I'm suprised this has taken so long to appear, the announcement was early yesterday

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

DOCSIS3 will aid with all the problems that exist on the network won't they? Reduce the possible clone modem problem for a start. Mean they can use the available bandwidth more optimally etc.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

and handle higher upload speeds I think 50Mb should have atleast 10Mb but vm will only be it 1.5Mb which is crap but better than 768k

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

*That will be per UBR, of course.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Lol your wrong on the upload, but lets not go there :p:

---------- Post added at 14:11 ---------- Previous post was at 14:10 ----------


There is no cap/STM on 50mbit, nor will there be.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

well TD I was going from a posts on here so wahts the upload?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

they cant do 8meg, nevermind 50!

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

read about DOCSIS 3.0 this will help the network sooo much ask TD he knows alot

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Read a bit I found on Wikipedia - would be interesting to know more bout how it all works... i'm very much the sort of person that wants to pull stuff apart to see what goes on :D

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

hmm so were are you getting this from URL please?.

lets see, the (pre,Euro)Docsis3 has a Max 150Mbit downstream and a Max 120Mbit upstream according to official spec.

and 'Orange' "I'm the network architect within the Virgin Media trials team. We're moving the 50 Mbps pilot on to the next stage in Ashford, we're calling rather imaginatively, Phase 2!"

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...=popper+50mbit

after i asked him to explain the reasoning behind setting the UK's worst upload ratio and knowing what the real end users wanted etc,from the trial and after that, he said "I intend to poll our trialists to see what the demand is for a higher upstream. Thanks for all the feedback, I'm reading it all and what I'm able to act on, I will."

as regards the current officially stated 1.5Mbit upload rates for the 50Mbit/s package, it has not been changed as far as anyone knows so far, and Orange hasnt done more than perhaps hint that it may change IF many current trialists realise the benefits of a far better upload rate and ask for it

18-09-2007, 17:44
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...5&postcount=36
"Orange:there is a lot of logic behind the numbers we're using for this pilot. The DOCSIS protocol chops up the available bandwidth (RF spectrum) by giving most of what's available to the downstream (which makes sense!). The ratio we're using in Ashford, Folkestone and Dover is what we've found to work well for most people and makes good use of that spectrum.

We also work very closely with our trialists to see what their demands are, and that helps us create a ratio that the vast majority of people are happy with. But it is a pilot, so if we find trialists want more upstream, then we'll work with them to find a more suitable ratio. "

i just bumped the thread there to see if he wil update the official information as regards the polled response etc.

are you trying to say that you have some updated info from Orange the network architect within the Virgin Media trials team ? or one of his team that ran the customer trialist poll.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I've seen the new configs, 1.5mbit upload is temporary, its going to be a higher, thats all i can say on that point.

And that was at the beginning of the trials, it was soon realized users needed more bandwith, and infact 1.5mbit is only just enough to cover overheads with 50mbit, something for you to think about ;)

As for my source, id get in trouble if i gave that out! but it is a certain someone in control of the trials.

And you need to realise you can already get 2.5mbit up on ADSL+2 with Be which already has large coverage and is making VM lose customers.

Making it lower than that, would be suicide.

Customers have always asked for higher upload speeds.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

While its not 'gospel' by any way, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docsis#Speed_Table shows EuroDOCSIS 3 capable of 200Mb down and 100Mb up.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Suuuuuure.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

2.5Mb down interferes with the downstream slightly more than the standard 1.2Mb they offer. Its ANNEX M iirc which isnt' supported by quite a few consumer DSL modems currently either. I know they provide one, but its not great.

Honestly who needs MASSES of upload?
a) torrenters
b) web developers
c) those uploading movies / images

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Lets see, VM are moving towards online p2p video streaming, that requires a far higher upload than 1.5mbit.

Put it this way, if you decide to download something maxing your speed out, you will require 1.2mbit of upload, that leaves you with 200kbit to browse, upload etc, its an unfair ratio, and would officially be the worst in the UK.

People need to stop living in the past, demos weigh in at 3gb these days, HD can weigh in at 30gig, this is the digital future.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

They are? I thought vod through the STB worked differently and they were trying some form of IPTV for 'off net' users (but that had been shelved for a bit to concentrate on the cable network)

I'm not saying its good by any stretch, but if i had a choice of slow upload / good down or 'ok down, good up' i know what i'd rather :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

They are moving to IPTV (which will again, require faster upload than 1.5mbit)

Amongst many other online streaming, along with HD streams.

Alright saying 1.5mbit is enough, it was enough 5 years ago as well.

But times have moved on since then, files are alot bigger, and being able to download a 4gig file in say 10 minutes, but taking 12 hours to upload a 4gb file is not fun, and when they do p2p streaming, people wont stop on to seed such a thing.

P.S You'd be suprised how many people are willing to sacrafice download speed for higher upload, loads of people have on Be and Be are serious competition for VM.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

If they are moving to P2P for all 'on demand' services, fair enough I can see why more upload might help (assuming STM goes - i don't like the idea of someone watching something i've got ondemand killing my quota).

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

well when you say 'YOU' i assume you mean the less tech user,and not me, as i 'v already stated all of the above both here and elsewere for a long time now.

better than Be*s best upload rate required.

the minimum of 1.3Mbit upload rate required to get somewere near the full consistant speed out of the 50Mbit/s download BEFORE even taking into consideration of your other multasking web apps running alongside etc.

dual IPv4 and IPv6 put inplace on the Docsis3 trials and reactived/made active on all the routers and related attached kit, so as to ease near term multicasting all the way to the VM end users and back, and improve future profit margins and real innovation from the end users/coders apps etc.

seen the new trial modem configs ?, as in you live in one of the trial area's and have been passing the time tracing the internal VM network looking for and found the new modem configs that are on the VM network and available to the trialists (pre)Docsis3 kit....

many more simple things planed for, and indeed put in place now, can save vast amounts of cash and trouble later for all partys....

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

No, i actually have had a look at the configs, as i said, used to work in network planning, know people in that department, and had to do offline/testing beforehand.

Yes you need at least 1.3mbit upload just to get 50mbit down, so if you download something, max your connection out your left with less than 200kbit upload for anything else you want to do

That's an extremely bad ratio.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

If your maxing your download... you won't be able to upload masses more anyway as it needs downsteam to upload (same as downloading needs upload)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I know that, im just saying leaving the ratio THAT bad will pretty much make the net inaccessible if you decide to max your downstream out, not enough to send the packets.

We found this out at the beginning of the trials.

Saying it works best with upload set at 1.5mbit is a load of FUD.

If they do indeed decide to ditch the high upload and swap to 1.5mbit, then they are losing me as a customer and as a slave worker :D

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I wonder how Virgin Media will handle users that go over the download limit during peak hours?

Downgraded to 5mb, between 4pm - 12am?

Anyways since I get full speed all the time, bring on 50mb!

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

TraxData, what colour will the 50mb be?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

You're beginning to obsess now, aren't you?

Colour isn't important, it's the taste that counts.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Brown, and looking like a....:D

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

is that 'no' meant to be there? :p: i'll have to record this day as the first time i've seen you say something positive about VM :shocked:

seeing as you do know your stuff, seeing as 50mbit needs docsis3, would that require a modem swap for *everyone* or just those going onto the 50mbit service? and what would the clone status be like with docsis3? (any changes or just business as usual)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Just those going onto 50mbit will need a new modem.

Docsis3 will be set on a different frequency, so wont affect lower tiers.

Will actually release stress from the current network.

Clone status = zero on docsis3, their days are nearly over :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

correct me if i'm wrong but, different frequencies would mean 2 separate 'networks' but over the same cables and so congestion on the lower tiers wont affect the 50mb tier and vice versa?

regarding the cloning, is that a physically possibility or just a 'its hard to get hold of a docsis3 compliant modem so it'll happen eventually' thing?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Correct :) and as to your question on docsis3, its not so much the implementation of docsis3, as that will get cracked eventually, its more the new system they have been testing with docsis3, hackers simply aint gonna be bale to get around it for quite some time, and if/when they do, they'll be caught rather easily.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

so how much does docsis 3.0 cost to implentment

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

a better authentication system that only legit modems can complete?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

there is something on the new modems that will stop cloners not sure but a mate at work vm was telling me

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Hmmmm I'll wait and see on that.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

cable network can phone line adsl can

vast difference in technologies

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I think he was referring to the fact he has 20mb and gets slow speeds

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Also correct, amongst other things the cloners have no idea about yet, and its not information im going to discuss so they can all go jumping around working out how to get around it :p: especially since those cloners browse this site.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I'm not asking you to divulge anything that you don't want to / shouldn't - i'm just curious to find out anything i can ;)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I'll be waiting for some VM CS telling me that my 250 will be able to handle 50Mb+

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

hehehehehehe it can cant it lol

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

no current modem VM use supports docsis3 afaik.

i assume when the original docsis was brought about, cloning wasnt an issue (much like email spam), but seeing as docsis3 will require modem swaps, VM have now got time to come up with ways to "stop" the cloning and won't have to worry about compatibility with existing modems as they'll need to be swapped anyway

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

omfg I was been stupid of cousre the 250's cant handle 50 mb but I am customer care thats why I said it because the the prev post said he is waiting for cs to tell him the 250's can handle 50Mb

some people

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I will not be holding my breath over this. There again it might mean i will get 20mb if i sign for the 50 mb :LOL:

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

50MB Internet Would Be Really Groovy!
I Cant Wait For It

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Correct and I gather that the "20"mb service will be shifted onto the docsis3 network too.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Well i heard from a VirginMedia Employee that after christmas VirginMedia are planning some changes.....Doing away with the 2 & 4mb BB and rolling in the 50mb BB. The 3 packages that will be available are 10mb, 20mb and 50mb as the xtra large service

Dont know how true it is but since i'm already on the 20mb i'd love to be moved to the 50mb.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I very much doubt 20 will move to 50mb but ig it is wicked as I will have a upgrade for the same staff price woooo £1.50 for 50mb

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

At what cost ( both £ & service) for myself 2mb is fine, if not somewhat costly.:(

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

That'd be good - 2Mb and 4Mb aren't overly competative, when most DSL providers are on 'up to 8Mb'. 10Mb as a base isn't bad :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Since 4MB just got moved to 10MB, it makes sense that they would move the 20MB users up to 50MB.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

has the 4mb to 10mb roll out been done? I thought it was still trialing.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Sorry I am being really stupid why would they trial something that they run already?:confused:

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

to make sure the network can cope in these areas which it cant but they are still going to roll it out

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

10Mb became 20Mb, there is no 10Mb anymore. I assume they are testing that the modems etc on the 4Mb at the moment can run at 10Mb or something - I don't know :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Ok I am on 2mb at home & half a mb at work (yes really but not Virgin) we are that far away from the exchange When our ISP put it up it just failed. Anyway

For what I use it for I can not tell the difference, between the 2. really! So would I really see anything if they pushed it up? I understand that 10 is a lot greater than 2 - but are we just talking about a site up loading a matter of seconds quicker? .Please understand I am not looking for a "fight" I really don`t see what I would get out of it

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

the only people that would really benifit from it would be the freeloaders that download of the newsgroups

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Or anyone that uses legal p2p or anyone that uses legal online HDTV streaming, or legal dvd download services etc.

Not everyone sits and downloads off newsgroups all day you know.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

When? My 4Mb is still 4Mb. :confused:

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I am very excited about the roll out of Docsis 3 and the 50meg tier. I just hope VM have learnt from thier mistakes made in the past and ensure the product is reliable when it comes to launch. I think 20mb was a little rushed !

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

no were sticking to the tried and tested jump in at the deep end aproach:(

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

nothing wrong wit the deep end.... just helps if you can swim :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

yeah but when you intend going in for the long term ,it makes far better sense to put in place and take along all your needs for the longhaul from day one.

BTW, what level of Certification does the current VM end user Docsis 2.0b/3.0(aka Wave 56) have?,i suspect its Bronze only at launch.

also what kit is put inplace for the headend and have they enabled and tested the generic IPv6/multicasting etc as required by the spec for end to end function.

Bronze, will test against downstream channel bonding and IPv6.

Silver, will add upstream channel bonding and the spec's Advanced Encryption System (AES).

and full...
-------------

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/1.jpg
http://connectedhome2go.com/2007/09/...orld-go-round/

"....
The latest modems on the market are designed to support DOCSIS 3.0 and specifically channel-bonding technology.

While nothing has been certified for DOCSIS 3.0 by CableLabs yet, there have been plenty of field tests of pre-DOCSIS 3.0 devices. Motorola’s SB6100 modems were the first to be deployed in a commercial channel-bonding implementation and currently are used in both Singapore and Korea.

In customer tests, the modems have yielded 138 Mbps with Euro-DOCSIS channel bonding. Next month, Motorola will submit the new SB6120 modem in CableLabs’ Certification Wave 56 for official DOCSIS 3.0 certification. Wonder what the new DOCSIS 3.0 modems will do to next year’s shipment numbers."

---------- Post added at 22:01 ---------- Previous post was at 21:31 ----------

as a side note from 10 days ago:
its also interesting that the US vender Verizon, put in place an end user symmetrical FiOS package that makes VMs proposed UK cable package rather low spec...

but then even, VMs cable could also provide symmetrical cable to somewere near this level if they put in a LOT MORE uBR's and lowered the shared uBR ratio.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=139586
"
NOVEMBER 20, 2007

NEW YORK -- Millions of consumers now can take advantage of ultra-fast Verizon FiOS Internet upload speeds that blow cable away.

Starting today, Verizon is offering its high-speed symmetrical FiOS Internet services to consumers in 16 states served by its advanced, all-fiber- optic network.

The symmetrical services make possible equally fast downstream and upstream connections of up to 15 megabits per second (Mbps) or up to 20 Mbps depending on the state where the service is sold."

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

That news report is massively over generous to BT what ever billions they spending on 21CN its going to do little to speed up dsl the only change they making is enabling adsl2+ which will still have the same constraints their adsl1 has now.

Cable users have more to look forward to docsis3 should make a very healthy large difference to performance.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

20meg via virgin adsl? thats news to me

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I rang up the other day to add a second tv box to my services. I asked the CS guy how much extra it would cost me to go up to 20mb BB from 4. He made a confused sound and then said NOTHING. I didn't ask for anything special, I didn't complain about anything. I just got upgraded for free. I did however have to remind them that I had a 10base equiped modem which would need replacing.
I wonder if there are plans to upgrade the rest of 4Mb and I just called at the right time before it gets announced. Or have I missed something. Anyhow, I got 18.6Mb/sec last night on steam so I'm well chuffed.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Any news on when the 50mb will actually be available?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

it hasnt been given a actual date for release most likely q3 next year it will be released as the ubr's need to be upgraded to docsis 3.0 before it can handle 50Mb

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

There is a release date, just cant publically release it yet.

And it's going to be area by area like 10mbit was, so its gonna be a long wait for some of you.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

arghhh that means that as with the 20meg upgrade Northants is going to be last again :( :bigcry:

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Well I can wait lol I am happy with my 2Mb thats meant to be 20Mb lol well my ubr is ****ed o well maybe 50Mb will be a blessing TD how can they ahve a date when is only been trialled not that I dont beleive u its just stupid for vm to do that

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

The trials were successful and VM have stated rollout of 50mbit from 2008.

It's all official now.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

okay sweet I will wait for the email for the timetable

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I wonder if they will simply double 20mb customers free of charge like they have done in previous speed increses.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

doubtful they have only just upgraded the 10mb to 20mb

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

very much doubt it, completely new tier, and doubt you will get 50mbps for £37.99

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

20mb is £37 not £37.99

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Some of us have been with cable for years and do have a cable modem, but only on the smallest broadband package. Do you think we will get a speed boost once 50Mb comes out ?

I know i'd love a 50Mb line, but wouldn't dream of paying that much per month just to browse a few web pages.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

you will get your speed increase q1 or q2 of 2008

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Sorry to join the party late but you say we're getting a speed increase?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

rather than start another thread im just going to put the link here incase neil comes over here as invited.
http://www.betanews.com/article/No_c...70868#c1181453
"
No chance of a FiOS-like UK option, says Virgin Media CEO

By Jacqueline Emigh, BetaNews

December 6, 2007, 3:20 PM

Although Verizon's broadband FiOS service might be helping to tank the subscribership of US cable provider Broadcom, Virgin Media's CEO believes that kind of slam-dunk isn't exactly about to happen on the other side of the Atlantic.

.....
Berkett said that Virgin Media is also mapping plans for an ultra high speed cable broadband offering running at 50 megabits-per-second (Mbps), adding a third tier to its existing 10 Mbps offering and recently introduced 20 Mbps service.

Another analyst asked Berkett for his response to complaints from some UK users that Virgin Media -- previously known among gamers and other users for its high-speed access -- has "slowed (down) in some areas."

According to the Virgin Media exec, the problem boils down to users' PCs, not to those of the broadband network.

"The vast majority of users' PCs are not able to get 20 Mbps," he replied. Berkett added that Virgin Media has reacted by launching an "educational campaign" among UK customers.

Berkett acknowledged, too, that Virgin Media was "late to notice" DVR. But, he added, the UK cable company is trying to capitalize, in a way, on this mistake, by coming out with high def DVR as its first ever DVR offering. "

yeah, signing a massive contract for the cheapest old tech Mpeg2 only V+ device , were the rest of the world is moving to AVC/Mpeg4-part10 devices, great move buying in old Mpeg2 end of life kit for long term growth and profit and real innovation neil, NOT.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Whilst I dont have a problem with STM as I dont have a large downloading presence I have to say that statement made me laugh my F......g head off

a) Mr Bekett does not have clue about the real world out there or believes what he is told by his minions ( and he would not be the first!)

b) I have no knowledge of an education programme unless he is using the Ho Chi Minh definition of re-education!

VM are re-educating users through their STM Policy

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

lol users pc why do I get 20 in the day but at night below 7 must be my pc

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Maybe it's not so far fetched after all, look at this.

BTW before anyone flames me, I am kidding.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

your pc may be 'fine' but as i said in another thread, what happens if you are the only 'clean' machine on a UBR? When the less knowledgeable users get home from work / school / whatever and turn their virus ridden PCs on - what are they going to do... spam :)

Granted, this is not the root cause of all of the problems, but I bet it is a large chunk of it. While I don't like ISPs that block certain ports, it is a good way to limit the effect of viruses etc (blocking in / outbound windows 'file sharing', and outbound smtp are a good start - if the smtp one is a little annoying)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Well as a prime example of this, i was referred a fault from the service Tech's as the customer was only getting 2-3Mb Download,(this customer had had this problem and a few service visit's already and the usual rubbish from Tech support, so he was really frustrated).

After looking he had a ethernet-USB connection from the router to PC and this was the problem causing it. He was advised to get an ehternet card, later on yesterday afternoon i saw him as i was in the area still and this has resolved the problem. Believe me this is an issue with customers PC anyone who visits a customers home will see some of the ancient, poorly maintained pc's there are.

Now, to what the percentage this is the issue ,i know not!

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

When 50mbit is rolled out, will the customers have to pay for new docsis 3 compatible modems, or will VM give them out for free?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I'd guess they'll come as part of the package like now - to be returned if/when you leave their service.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

VM supply modems.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Considering the rumour going around that they are in talks about implementing STM on 50mbit, i wouldnt go getting very excited.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I can see some 50Meg customers getting the boot.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Thats not great, but imo MOST users won't be bothered by it, its only seriously heavy 24/7 downloaders (who are, on the whole, pirates) that are likely to run into that :)

Theres only so much legal stuff you could need during peak times, the rest can wait :)

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Yea, but the limit is staying at 3gb for 50mbit, so you can use it for a full 5 minutes before you get stm'd, boy oh boy exciting aint it.

ANY STM on 50mbit is utterly stupid, hardly paving the way for fast broadband if your not allowed to use it.

If you cant use it, then really, there is absolutely no point what so EVER in having it.

Only good thing is the upload (which will be set at 5mbit at release, apparently) but then you get stm'd on that as well.

Makes it a rather useless product.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Which would suggest that this rumour, like a lot of others has no foundation. Why bother to invest in a product that nobody is going to be interested in?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

I love the way on this forum, that a rumour is discussed, then a few posts later it becomes a fact, then its an outrage, then everyone should cancel their services etc.

STM on the 50mb is a rumour, I doubt VM have even set a price for the service, its still in testing. I think its a bit early to judge a service until its actually launched and you have tried it...

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

The fact that HD tv will be streamed through the 50mb service makes it unlikely that 50mb would be stm'd.

VM will sell 50mb for a premium price and offering hd channels (we know of at least one confirmed hd channel so far - Voom) is the sweetener to sell the vm service. No point watching hd on this service at 8pm, if, all of a sudden, the speed is cut.

I don't think anything is set in stone with regards to the 50mb service, apart from a rough rollout schedule. (Which, in itself, is dependent on the supply of docsis 3 modems.) What speed and for what price and what extras you get get, will be finalised much closer to the first full rollout.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

Surely that would be a ready why it would be STM'd ?

They have to make sure that if they're going to provide streaming TV services, it's not rendered useless due to network congestion... therefore surely STM would make sense?

Anyway i'm assuming they can differentiate between internet + streaming TV data, and therefore not count the TV 'data' as part of your limit?

Pure guesswork really.. but it would make sense from what i can see.

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

is the streaming going to stem from the VM internal network or external sources?

Re: Virgin Media announces 50mb lines from next year.
 

VM Internal