internet problems
 

I've got my own router RT-N56U and SHUB 1

probably last couple of weeks the internet had been going slow and I've had to reboot the virgin router to get my speed back again (152mb) it's dropped to speeds of 1-5mb, web pages timing out or loading in 2 mins sometimes limited connection has popped up in the task bar either wireless or wired and affects all devices.

Usually rebooting the Shub has solved the problem. it's not happened much about 4 times in 2 weeks. if it does it again I'll post up the power setting etc

I've had this Shub since they first came into my area not sure how long maybe 4/5 years could be longer

Do you think it could be that playing up? wasn't sure if it was time to give VM a call and get them to replace it?

Would have to get them out anyway to look at the line if it keeps playing up.

I'm sure my area isn't over sub'd as most of the time I max out internet no problems. My other alternative was to think my own router could be playing up

Re: internet problems
 

We could do with seeing your upstream/downstream modem stats plus an opinion from you as to whether upstream power is stable (refresh the screen a few times).

Other than that, you could consider phoning Retentions and demanding a SH2ac or else you're thinking of leaving. You would point out that 152 meg users should have the SH2ac because it is not possible with WiFi on the SH1 to achieve full speeds nor to properly share bandwidth among users. You should make that a demand because VM are cannot in your case match the advertised features, yet you're paying for them. And don't accept to pay £20 for the SH2ac.

The above said, I realise that you are in modem mode and that the SH1 is adequate for that. But if it is defective you don't want them to send you a refurb SH1, do you? And you don't have to mention modem mode on the call.

But first your modem stats so we can take a look.

Re: internet problems
 

yeah, you have got to remember that shub1 came out pre-152mbit (actually around the time 100mbits was released). Although it can handle 152mbits no problemo the company spec says 152mbits should have shub2 as a minimum so if you ring tech support and tell them your shub 1 is faulty it should get replaced with shub 2 because you shouldn't be using shub1 to start off with (I know you had it for a legacy tier).

Re: internet problems
 

Shub1 and Shub2 are identical in terms of what speeds they support?

Re: internet problems
 

I know and i knew it was going to come across like that. Although they can both handle 400mbits shub2 is the premium router for the premium tier with better wireless and stability.

Re: internet problems
 

Yeah, good luck trying to get one for free if you're still in contract, though.

Re: internet problems
 

The fact that they have identical DOCSIS specs doesn't mean they have identical performance. More importantly the maximum "supported speeds" of the modem bear no relation to the speed of the processor.

Re: internet problems
 

I use my own router so that shouldn't be a problem should it?

It hasn't been doing it much although I can only imagine leaving it the problem will only get worse over time.

My next days off work are in a couple of days I'll go into the config screen and have a look.

I need to call VM anyway as I am out of contract and my package price is £17 more a month than the one now advertised

Re: internet problems
 

True but as far as Virgin is concerned, they're both capable of 152Mbit. Just because new installs are getting SHUB2s doesn't mean existing installs will be upgraded without paying.

Re: internet problems
 

If you are talking about paying for the SH2ac when you have a SH1 on a 152meg circuit, I disagree. VM sold an upgrade leaving the user with equipment incapable of using that service properly on WiFi. People's decision to upgrade to 152 meg is influenced by what's advertised currently.

Re: internet problems
 

I'm not debating whether or not the SH1 is capable of 152meg (I wouldn't say it's capable of 50!), I'm saying that Virgin says it is so unless you're out of contract, don't hope for an upgrade just by asking.

Re: internet problems
 

Back in the old days WiFi was an add-on feature you had to pay separately for.

Re: internet problems
 

What on NTL or where, Qasi?

Re: internet problems
 

I can confirm this was the case at least up until 2010. It was the case right until hubs became a thing. You had to pay extra or get a new contract to have a wireless router sent out (mostly Netgears at first, then the ol' D-Link DIR-615). This would put a "WIRELESS" code on the account. Without said code, agents wouldn't be permitted to send out "replacement" routers or anything like that.

Re: internet problems
 

That's the way it should've stayed with ALL ISP's IMHO.

Just supply the connection and modem, if the user wants wireless let them supply their own router to suit their expectations and needs. It's all they are contractually required to do.

Re: internet problems
 

I agree with Pip. But no doubt VM decided that their sign-up rate would be higher with a gateway.

Re: internet problems
 

I disagree dude, anyone with enough knowledge to understand what it does would want to buy their own. Although I completely agree with Pip's statement, I also sympathise with VM. It must have been extremely frustrating for tech support when 70% (guess) of the calls coming through for connection issues were nothing to do with the wan link and were to do with the client hardware/OS settings/3rd party router settings/3rd party router wifi. It is just too much to diagnose and if you have got a customer who can't log into their router, navigate the UI or understand the terminology then you are screwed.

I understand why they wanted to provide a shub but if they were going to do it they should have made sure it was a resilient model with features any and all customers could want (and we all know how that turned out).

Re: internet problems
 

I'm near certain I'm right, mon General. But then you're right too - reduction in support costs would also have been a driver.

But then it's come full circle because of Modem Mode. I've not seen a VM Forum bod say "sorry guv, it's a third party router so go away" or polite words to that effect.

Re: internet problems
 

true, but the reason why I think I am more right :erm: is because the shub didn't have modem mode initially. VM tried to enforce a router on peeps which they could better support but they ended up undoing their goal because the shub was so naff that they had to introduce modem mode as a quick fox (in r19 if I remember correctly) to try and appease the masses. I can honestly say that if I had to have one before then (I think I got mine in r31) I would have gladly left VM out of principle.

Re: internet problems
 

I wouldn't leave VM "out of principle". My BT Infinity circuit can only muster 55 meg due to the aluminium run along the 350m or so. Fools they may sometimes be, but with modem mode and a damn good router, plus a reasonable non-congested area, it would be cutting off one's nose to spite ones face by adopting a stand on principle.

Re: internet problems
 

that is why I am still with them and continue to praise my connection. I would have left if I had to use a shub in router modem when they first came out. An uncongested network connection means nothing if you can't connect to it and/or it keeps crashing. I defo wouldn't have trusted the shub (and still don't to be fair) to stream all my tv series and movies from my nas servers to my tvs around the house.

Re: internet problems
 

Well so far so good my network as been running ok. not sure what has been causing the router to play up needing a reboot but it hasn't been too bad 4 times in about 2 weeks other than that I can't praise VM enough as in an area with very little problems.

I've been pretty lucky for about 10 years+ only had to call them out about 5 times in all that time.

As for the internet I usually get solid speeds I don't often encounter problems