Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Hi guys

I am starting to lose my patience with VM and was just wondering somebody could run there eye over the data I provide and tell me if I am being ripped off or not.

My modem config page confirms I am set up for 10 meg:

Cable Modem Operation Configuration
Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Disabled

However its really slow and rarely gets over 3mbs. It averages out around 2.3mbs

Results from Speedtest.net:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2008/10/28.png

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2008/10/29.png


I have spent an accumulative total of 5hrs on the phone to VM and have been through all the normal tech support. I just dont feel that I am getting what I am paying for. I spend £50 a month on my services!

What do you guys think?

Rich

---------- Post added at 22:30 ---------- Previous post was at 22:27 ----------

Just tried the blueyonder games link and my connection hits a max of 295kbs when downloading.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

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Post what modem you have and your power levels from your config pages of your modem. The should be a sticker on the bottom saying what model.

Open a browser and in the address bar put> 192.168.100.1 password and username are both root if required.

What I want you to post is the Downstream and the Upstream plus what model the modem is for me thanks.

DO NOT POST YOUR MAC ADDRESS OR SERIAL NUMBER

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Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Hi there

Here is the requested info

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 6
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5056.941 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 34.8 dB

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 37500000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 52.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

The modem is a Ambit 256. It is the second medem I have recieved and tried from VM.

Cheers

Rich

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:36 ----------

It also seems to be getting slower as the night draws on:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2008/10/25.png
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2008/10/26.png

I am using a brand new Imac but have also tested the connection with my newish laptop running XP and also my old power mac.

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

That is perfectly ok for a NTL connection and if it had been me, you had been talking to I would have told you that the appears to be nothing at all wrong with your connection, that does not mean that the is not something wrong somewhere.


Just read your on a IMAC so

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You could try this below if you are on a MAC

http://www.speedguide.net/faq_in_q.p...ory=89&qid=129

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Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

i just downgraded from steady 2 meg (2 years) to:

a speedtest from Virgin Media 10 megabit connection tonight:

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:43:07 UTC
1st 128K took 4914 ms = 26673 Bytes/sec = approx 222 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 2168 ms = 60458 Bytes/sec = approx 503 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 2403 ms = 54545 Bytes/sec = approx 454 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 1154 ms = 113581 Bytes/sec = approx 945 kbits/sec

i make that:

0.2 megabits
0.5 megabits
0.4 megabits
0.9 megabits

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Hmmm well Im glad to see my results tally up.
I will take a look at tweaking the mac.

Cheers for the ultra swift reply

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I'm not sure what you mean by that - but my 2 meg connection (NTL/VM) was faster than that

VM are defintely throttling connections so they can pipe it all down one line and quote a 50 meg connection on one PC in one moment in time

VM prolly found a loop-hole in law

Once you understand how VM management work - it all falls into place

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I believe that whydoineedatech was referring to the power levels and frequency settings the OP posted, not the speed.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I might just downgrade to 2meg. There was an unsecured network around our estate the other day. It was a bthome-hub router and I could get consistent 7-8meg through that using speedtest.

Sadly its now been secured so I cannot retest it.

So are you saying it could be my mac? I have had the same results with all my computers.

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Look at these for cracking "10mb" speeds:

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:52:14 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 43387 ms = 23.6 KB/sec, approx 194 Kbps, 0.19 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 44694 ms = 22.9 KB/sec, approx 189 Kbps, 0.18 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 49090 ms = 20.9 KB/sec, approx 172 Kbps, 0.17 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 109079 ms = 18.8 KB/sec, approx 155 Kbps, 0.15 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 178 Kbps, 0.17 Mbps

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

That is totally unacceptable

Surely there's a law agains that

It all because Sky have been quoting 'maximum' speeds 'and getting away with it' that VM have decided, if you cant beat em join em and quting maximum speeds that you have no chance of acheiving

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

All appears ok with his power levels, so as I said the problem must lie elsewhere, be that its something on the network that has not been found yet or that he just a needs a few tweaks on his IMAC.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Mines been almost the same tonight (cleethorpes/grimsby), as have 3 of my neighbours.

*Prays to god the forthcoming reseg helps*

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I might try the tests again in the morning to see if its any faster.

Cheers for the advice so far

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

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If you are a Virgin Media customer then the best speedtest is from the link below.

Have you tried going to this link to check your speeds http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/

click on blueyondergames>demos>then click on at least 2 large files around 400/500 mb and save them to your desktop, and then wait a couple of minutes then write down the transfer rates on the files that are running > times them by 8 and you will get a truer download speed.

Remember to stop and delete the files.



i.e : 250kbps X 8 = 2MB, 500kbps X 8 = 4MB, 1250kbps X 8 = 10MB, 2500kbps X 8 = 20MB
-----------------------------------------------------------

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I've always (several years) used this Simple Speed Test which has always been reliable

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I wish:p:

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:23:15 GMT
1st 128K took 144 ms = 910222 Bytes/sec = approx 7573 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 99 ms = 1323960 Bytes/sec = approx 11015 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 101 ms = 1297743 Bytes/sec = approx 10797 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 118 ms = 1110780 Bytes/sec = approx 9242 kbits/sec

These results appear to be rather fast: maybe this page was in the browser cache.

That is old technology taken from the Robin Walker pages and has not been updated for about 5 years and usually gives silly results as above.

If you call into Tech Support the only speed test accepted is the one I posted above.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Just tried the two large files and each was downloading at about 140-150kbs each so that makes 300kbs x 8 =2.4 meg?

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Sounds like VM have done the same thing with 10meg as they did with 20meg.

They opened the throttle but could not afford to put any gas in the tank.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Those result give an average of 9.66 megabits

Can't say how silly they are not knowing what they should be

As far as it being 'old technology', nothing/zippo/nadda has changed except the speed = relative = still just as pertinent as it's ever been

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

But if you rang into Virgin and spoke to one of my colleagues then the only speedtest they would accept is gamefiles.viginmedia.com it does not matter if you think the Walker test is pertinent, we only accept gamefiles for speedtests.;)

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Well just run the tests this morning and seems as though my internet is only slow in the evenings:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2008/10/27.png


I guess this rules out any issues with my Mac

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

But have you tried whydoIneedatech's information in his post #15?

I had the same issues as you, but I have since confirmed that the speeds are very close to what I should be getting. I you need proof of the speeds then according to VM that is the only method that VM will accept as evidence from what whydoIneedatech is saying, I know it's a bit of a pain having to work it out, but it does give a benckmark to work to rather than trying to use all these different methods of testing the speeds and muddying the waters with all these different results.

Try his method this evening first and see if you get the same results.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I guess that you have to look her then as to what is probably causing your issue.

-------------------------------------------------
http://www.virginmedia.com/help/traffic-management.php
http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...t/traffic.html
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Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Hmm lets see exactly the same as what happened to me you were capped m8 whydoineedatech no idea why u didn't see that,instead you blamed his mac
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/12...g-on-here.html

rea my post exactly the same thing happened to me but out of stm hours no need to worry.

just virgin can't do things right.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Robin Walker's speed test is inaccurate because the data set it downloads is too small for higher speeds. The speedtest we have (linked at the top of every page) is using the same code, but with a larger dataset. It is still hosted within the VM network.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Sorry but if you look at the OP's original speed tests I'd say the figures were near perfect for being STM'd especially as it's showing a time of 9:30pm

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

---------- Post added at 10:49 ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 ----------

Where about did I blame his MAC, all I said was the connection was fine and the issue was elsewhere and I gave him an Optimisation link for his MAC.

As Kymmy said he was likely to be getting STMed which he proved with his post this morning.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I think you guys have hit the nail on the head. I had been downloading earlier that evening. Hehe I'm suprised Vm tech support never thought of that.

Will try it tonight

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Arent these stm results?

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Read three posts above yours ;)

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

hehehehe sorry didnt read the whole thread

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

You seem chuffed :confused:

The 10 meg connection you're paying for has been puposely throttled back -80% to something less than a lousy 2 meg

i'm thinking of 'up'grading back to 2 meg - which has never been slower than this 10 meg connection

i'm sure there are consumer laws against lying

.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Im on the same deal as you Shep. I have only been on VM 10mb sevice for a few days but I have only once recieved more than 2.5mb Down.

I feel ripped off to be honest.

I have a ambit modem (from VM) connected to a Netgear wireless router I got free.

Hardwireing stright into either gives me the same speed as going wireless which is around 2.5mbps.

Whats the deal? throttling, crap service, problems on their end? I can get 10+mbps of my neighbours connection but I cant get full bandwidth from my own?

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Well I am relieved that its nothing my end and that all my hardware and software is working correctly.

Is VM the only company to throttle bandwidth if a threshold download amount is reached?

I dont have many other options as Idont think I have a BT line in my house and dont want to pay to have one installed.

I will just have to stagger my downloading so that I dont hit the threshold.

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Actual figures are 75% which means a download speed of 2.5Mbps and an upload speed of 128Kbs for STM

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

Each to his own i spose - but i'd be more relieved to know my modem was up the chuff and all i need is a new one to give me a s-i-z-z-l-i-n-g hot hot 10 meg connection tsssssssssssss!

whereas other isps rely on poor infrastructure to avoid delivering what they promise - VM have to throttle an otherwise lightening fast gateway to the world to acheive the same amount of public deception

dont you think it's strange the way minds at VM behave?

obvious conclusion is now (with all that throttling) VM will be able to deliver steady 5 mb in places and 'claim' a peak of 50 meg

.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

New here so apologies if I am wrong to post on the end of this thread but it so perfectly matches the pain I have been through since upgrading to 10MB last week.

I keep telling VM there is a problem or at least getting 428 kb/s at 6:30pm goes way beyond throttling and acceptable traffic shaping.
That's 4.28% of the speed paid for!!!

I know I'm being a little simplistic but I have to agree that going back to 2MB service is looking very tempting or voting with my feet and going to BT.
I also have a standard home user BT phone line with bog standard ADSL from BT. This constantly gets 2-3MB all day and night never drops during ping or trace route tests.
I don't own the line, it is provided for working via VPN as the company concerned refused to have the VPN on VM network. I think I see why now.

In comparison below is a trace route test from the VM line this evening!
Riddled with dropped packets at their own servers.

Tracing route to virginmedia.com [212.250.162.12]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192
2 7 ms 17 ms 8 ms 10
3 23 ms 9 ms 18 ms nott-t2cam1-b-v124.network.virginmedia.net [80.4.46.137]
4 * * 17 ms nott-t3core-1b-ae1-0.network.virginmedia.net [195.182.174.234]
5 24 ms 8 ms 11 ms nth-bb-b-as1-0.network.virginmedia.net [213.105.174.173]
6 59 ms 29 ms 28 ms bir-bb-a-so-110-0.network.virginmedia.net [62.253.185.86]
7 * 20 ms 26 ms win-bb-b-so-110-0.network.virginmedia.net [62.253.185.142]
8 18 ms * * win-dc-b-v900.network.virginmedia.net [62.253.188.166]
9 * 15 ms 47 ms www.virginmedia.com [212.250.162.12]
Trace complete.

If anyone can shed any more light on this or better explain why the VM connection is so rough compared to the BT one I would be very interested.

Sorry should have said in Nottingham NG2 area if that helps to explain anything!

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

If you get a 2Mb service and you;ll probably still get STM'd and that'll drop down to 1Mb...

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I never seem to get STM, which is a bit strange because I do download and connection has always been rock solid.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I never get STM'd either... ;)

If someone gets STM'd on a 20Mb account then quite simply their downloading habits won;t change and they will be STM'd on a 2Mb service.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

It is only the Top 5% that get STMed and if you take from of over 3 million broadband subscribers then it is not many people being traffic managed, its around about 150,000 people which is not a lot if you read it quick, but it is to many if its you being traffic managed.:(

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

my issue was the amount I was downloading and the time I was doing it at. Couple of gig between 5pm and 10pm. That limits me to 75% for five hours after.

I have behaved today and limited myself. My speed now measures 10mbs.

Most web pages still take around 8 seconds to load though!!!!!

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

If you are getting the speed ok then it appears that the browser may have an issue which one do you use.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I use Firefox and safari. However I have now sorted the issue. It was to do with DNS look up. I couldn't change the DNS settings in my Belkin router as it kept resetting but not retaining the new settings.

I have now bypassed my router and set my mac up with the opendns info.

Its made a massive difference.

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

I found Firefox to be the fastest browser going. If you use this, try the following, it really does speed it up even faster:

1. Type "about:config" into the address bar and hit return. Scroll
down and look for the following entries:

network.http.pipelining
network.http.proxy.pipelining
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests

Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time.
When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really
speeds up page loading.

2. Alter the entries as follows:

Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true"
Just Double Click it

Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true"
Just Double Click it

Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to some number like 30. This
means it will make 30 requests at once.

3. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer.
Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0".
This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.

If you're using a broadband connection you'll load pages 2-30 times faster now.

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

GOOD LORD

Just set this up although on my mac I had to type "about:config" to get to the page.

Just tried ebay and its instant.

Many thanks for this info its awesome.

Cheers

Rich

Re: Issues with 10 meg service (only getting 2.3 meg with proof)
 

You will not notice in a few days it will feel normal