Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

300Mb as a working from home 'add-on' to the 200Mb residential packages. I suspect someone updated the website prematurely.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/03/13.png

On that note I'm retreating from the thread before I get splashed by excitement from the avid speed testers and power level obsessives.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Coward!:D:D:D

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I dont really care about 300 down as opposed to 200, whats the upload ?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

If the 300Mb business product is a guide between 15Mb and 25Mb, depending where you are in the country.

The 10:1 downstream:upstream ratio is going to be restored at some point relatively soon, too.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I don't think this product offering makes sense

Why can't they keep it simple like Virgin Media Ireland's packages rather than piling the offerings sky high and making the prices high in comparison to boot?

I don't think an extra 100Mb is worth £13.99 (£19.99 after 24 months), it's just a consumer addon for more speed, they should just sell it as VIVID 300.

We don't know what future speed boosts will be for the three main tiers or whether Homeworks will stay ahead of those. I don't expect anything special anytime soon (certainly not the 360Mb you can get in Ireland), especially considering there's people with estimates of the end of this year for the current round of upgrades. I think it's gotten pretty silly, little is making much sense.

I logged into MyVM and went to upgrades and offers and it is listed there, looks like one could add it right now.

Here's the FAQ's

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/03/12.png

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So 200M will go to 20M up ?

Cant see the point in getting HomeWorks either then, seems like too much for a bit extra.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Homework is a cross between resi and business, aimed at people who work from home etc but don't necessarily require a business service

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

When is it due to Launch?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

A lot (most?) of homeworkers use a VPN connection for corporate network access and I suspect the download speeds that the company VPN servers/network channel can deliver are way, way down on your ISP headline speed.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

The real news in this thread right here. 20Mbit upload on 200Mbit would be sweet.

Yup, not really sure what the point of pitching 300Mbit as a "work from home" product is, the upload speed is what really matters. I dare say 99.9% of home workers would be happy with 200Mbit down, but would gladly pay £20 a month for an extra 15Mbit upload (30Mbit total).

Then again, if the 10:1 ratio comes in as Igni suggests, 300/30 would be a hell of a decent package.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Nope. The website is correct. HomeWorks with 300 is now available. 300Mb is only available as part of the HomeWorks bundle, which as it says is an add on to any currently advertised bundle including 200Mbit.

20Mb

It already has, but not in all areas.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

That ad is very misleading and i think im gonna contact trading standards. It says it doesnt affect ur TV and can be purchased as an addon....

Just spoke to 2 sales advisors ay Virgin and unless u take out a Tivo box u cannot get the 300mb.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

For either HomeWorks package the core requirement is broadband.

However you need to be on a current 200Mbit tier bundle for HomeWorks + 300Mb, which means if you don't have TiVo i.e. are on an older package where you only have a V box, you will also need to upgrade to TiVo. But the requirement to have TiVo has applied to all current bundles since November last year. It's not specific to HomeWorks.

The standard HomeWorks i.e the one without 300Mb, does not require a bundle change, it is an add on available across all bundles.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Im on 200mb and ive been told twice i need a Tivo and a SH3.0 which i already have honestly.


OH i see what ur saying now with Tivo.

Wont be getting anymore cash from me then as i dont watch TV and dont want Tivo.

They also refused to upgrade broadband on the hub i have saying they had to give a new Hub 3 when i have one which i told them which is a waste of money.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I'm pretty sure that 300Mbit requires a Hub 3.0 and it cannot be provisioned on any older Hub.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

i already have the hub 3 thats what i cant understand why waste money on a new hub 3 when i have a hub 3? lol

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

That shouldn't be happening. There is validation in the system to ensure that the right kit is available for each tier of service. But it shouldn't prompt (and usually doesn't prompt) for the same kit to be sent out.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Ben, is it possible that alanbjames has a trial hub, which potentially has a different MAC address range that the system is checking?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

That shouldn't be an issue. The system codes that identify it's a Hub 3.0 are the same across all of them.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I think we're more interested in the 200meg upload going to 20Meg than the 300Meg add on :D

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

System confused by CS sending out new CPE to customers just because they call in and ask for it perhaps.

---------- Post added at 12:22 ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 ----------

You answered your own question by complaining about the price. The Irish don't have a mass of pile high, sell cheap ISPs so don't have the attitude that broadband should be nearly free.

The one product VM Ireland offer is £50 a month for VoIP phone, calls and broadband. Hardly anyone would buy that at even close to list price here as Sky and TalkTalk trained them that broadband is a freebie with TV / line rental.

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 ----------

Thank you, Ben.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I just ordered this on the phone but the guy on the other end never said anything about needing the hub 3 but as i have the 2AC i'm kinda confused as to whats going to happen when it goes to 300.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

You shouldn't lose your existing service, but you won't get the 300Mbit service until you get the Hub 3.0

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So my question is now do i have to ask for one or will they send one out?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

It should be required as part of the order process if you don't already have a Hub 3.0, even though it wasn't mentioned.

However it would be worth double checking that it has been ordered correctly

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Oh bouncy balls yeah i knew this wasn't going to be that simple so i would just call them again and ask basically?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Yup - the order number for existing customers is 0800 064 3855

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

They seem to think i have the 3.0 because i have 200 meg which is very strange because i swear what i'm looking at is a 2AC

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I believe Bath isn't 300meg ready yet. I may be wrong though...

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well everything went through i have a Hub 3.0 coming and the 300 is going to be activated tomorrow.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Ohh let me know how it goes, maybe I'm wrong.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Will do.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Hi folks. Completely new here and in a spot of bother.

I regularly stream on Twitch at 3500kbps and recently something must have changed at Virgin's end because I'm now getting traffic managed down to around 3200 - 3400 kbps instead of 4250kbps.

That essentially results in dropped frames which is a no go.

So....I ring Virgin to request some information and go about cancelling my account when the very helpful lady mentions Homeworks.

The package sounds ideal....except I can't find anything about traffic management on upload speed. Is it the holy grail of unlimited?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

More likely they just havent updated the Traffic Management page yet.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

It's debatable if VM is ready for 300meg.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

There is no upload management on Homeworks + 300Mbit, which is why it's not listed on the page.

It is still covered by the network level P2P and Newsgroups management as far as I'm aware.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

The Virginmedia business pages imply that traffic management is still active on the full business services, though it doesn't say what the thresholds etc. are.

So is that information correct? that a cheaper residential service doesn't have traffic management but a more expensive business one does?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Business services don't have upload traffic management during the working day (8am - 6pm Monday - Friday) plus the business services come with addition features such as the static IP, inclusive calls etc.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Is there any detail about what applies outside those times?
No detail has ever been provide don't he web pages, and I think that should be available to customers. Certainly at one time download restrictions also applied to business services. Were they removed at the same time the residential download thresholds were removed?


Static IP - indeed but if you want multiple static IP that's extra cost, and sadly no longer available for a period until the new Hitron firmware is released.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Business services carry higher levels of support and, indeed, higher profit margins.

Be interesting to see if the network copes with this alright as I suspect people buying it will be hammering the living urine out of it, especially the upload.

It's extremely hard to saturate what will end up being about 320Mb/s downstream with the extra 'fluff' added, however 20Mb upload can be overwhelmed with a single torrent, let alone the dozens some have seeding at once.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Let them, they're paying a premium for exactly this. If it's causing issues on the network, Virgin can use the money from that premium to improve the network.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Someones got the right idea

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well it took about 3 hours but the official answer from the tech team regarding traffic management is:

"that information won't be available for another week or two"

I simply despair, this has to be the worst company for transparency of contract details.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Only seems to be this chap who goes on about torrenters and the like. It's like he is obsessed.

Ben, I just left on 200 standalone because I wanted to find a work from home solution. I was paying £45 a month too - so could I re sign back up at the new price and get a Hub 3?

Edit. Okay so I found the Homeworks via a new order and I have to admit £57 is good for 300/30 eventually. My 200 was (especially during the last 30 days, oddly enough) sitting around the 200 mark most of the time. I do hope 300 can cope in my area.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Absolutely. They have been busy with the network and aren't releasing this everywhere straight away so hopefully it'll be smooth.

---------- Post added at 14:02 ---------- Previous post was at 13:51 ----------

I am unapologetic about wanting to see people getting something like what they pay for and VM not overselling the network too much.

Grandad's iPlayer shouldn't buffer because someone down the road likes to try and sync with half the binaries hierarchy.

Someone's gaming shouldn't lag because another user is seeding half of IMDB.

How VM ensure this doesn't happen is their problem.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Spot on, Igni. I also have no issue with Virgin selling premium services at premium prices, nor do I have any issues with someone paying those prices and using the service they are paying for. The onus is very much on Virgin to ensure they can provide the service at that price.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Out of interest since we know nothing about traffic management on Homeworks does anyone know what the deal is with Business Packages in general in terms of this?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

The business packages have their own traffic management, but it applies outside of standard business hours (i.e. in the evening).

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So will the homeworks + get the same in the evenings?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

No.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Hi Kushan, where can I read up on the TM policy for business packages?

Also just to clarify are you saying that Homeworks will not be traffic managed at all?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk...roadband-FAQs/


I'm only repeating what BenMcr has posted, he works for Virgin and is a very reliable source for this kind of information (And an all round top bloke).

Homeworks is not a business package, it's a residential package so the residential T's and C's apply here. If BenMcr says there's no traffic management on it, then there's no traffic management on it.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Thanks Kushen. I still can't see anything about upload throttling. As usual they answer the 'unlimited' question by saying there is no download limit. Sod all about upload.

I assume Homeworks is different to Homeworks+ right? Any idea what the difference is other than one offers up to 300 down?

It's all very confusing. You say yourself that 'Homeworks is not a business package, it's a residential package so the residential T's and C's apply here.' In which case traffic management would apply on upload.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Different packages have different thresholds for the traffic management. This one apparently has none.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Oh sorry, I thought you had a genuine bee in your bonnet about people like that in general.

I totally agree with you after I understood you right. I don't think this 300 would stand up in my area so I will stick with what I have. I am (like you I suspect) happy to pay for what I need.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

No not at all. Companies advertise unlimited services they have to expect some people to use them as such.

As far as being happy to pay for what I need you're talking to the guy who's just been taking 100Mb EAD quotes for resilient connectivity at home as I only have FTTC available, have had some reliability issues, and work from here.

£2,400 install + £420 a month at 'mates rates' in case anyone wants to get one in for the weekend.

Another quote was free install, £720 / month for 20Mb over a 100Mb bearer on a 3 year contract.

http://telcotorment.blogspot.co.uk/2...ediocrity.html

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Personally, I'm thinking that the although I work from Home, the homeworker package doesn't offer me anything I need or want. Also, I am currently on 150 meg and while I make heavy enough use of that that I wouldn't want to drop, I don't actually think I use it enough that I'll get enough use out of 300 meg.

A higher upload speed may be handy as I do vpn into work and can transfer a lot of data in both directions when I do that, but it sounds like I'll get that anyway.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Just to be clear here there are two variations of HomeWorks.

The standard HomeWorks bolt on @ £9.99 is available on all broadband bundles and includes the add on services (Tune Up / F-Secure Key / Go Daddy etc). Any traffic policy for the tier of broadband service you have will still apply with the standard HomeWorks add on i.e if you add the standard HomeWorks to 200Mbit, you would still be subject to the upload policy for 200Mb.

HomeWorks + 300Mbit is only available on top of a bundle including 200Mbit. It's specifically HomeWorks + 300Mbit where there isn't an upload management policy.

I do also want to be clear that although I'm not aware of any plans to add traffic management, I don't make any guarantees over any review of that.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So you can't get homeworks + unless we take your rubbish TV and a phone line we don't need?

Okay thanks., that'll do it. I'll stick to where I am.

---------- Post added at 20:42 ---------- Previous post was at 20:42 ----------

Thanks for the information. I am currently on a Ethernet FTTC connection and I thought £700 install and £180 a month was a decent price. If I ever need to upgrade I will look at the options above.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Sorry, I did also mean standalone broadband too.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Okay thanks Ben, so what happens if like the 200 it slows down? is it tough? is it better to get the business connection so I can chew someone's ear off if it does?

Just asking!

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I wouldn't imagine the homeworks stuff comes with any enhanced SLA's, if your broadband going down means you're loosing money, then get a business line.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Thanks for the advice.

I was looking for more of a backup than a main use for this line. I am looking at business ADSL with Enhanced care and Priority network service.

My main line is a business line with a money backed SLA. I wouldn't ever use a home line for business use.

It's not so that I would lose money per minute or per hour etc if I had no access. It's more because 99% of my business on the money side is done online and I wouldn't be able to process DD's and collect rent. For me that's why I need the backup regardless.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Is this supposed to be for areas that are connected to 16 downstream Arris equipment only as the business 300Mb service is?

If so, which bright spark decided to allow customer services to 'correct' this?

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/gen...t-is-this.html

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/gen...t-is-this.html

I'd have thought VM would've learned by now that if there's any way for CS to get around things, be they discount policies, provisioning of new tiers, whatever, they'll do it. There's plenty of evidence that at least some of them consider 'computer says no' to be something to get around rather than to pay attention to.

EDIT: While we're at it good to see that the usual 'fluidity' with pricing and contracts is there. First report of an order I see on the forum the guy apparently has received the speed increase free of charge with the £9.99 supplement for Homeworks, and is on a 30 day contract, not 3 months.

Why do VM even bother with prices and policies when they're utterly incapable of adhering to either? God only knows the price range there would be in what people actually pay for 360Mb if it were just the one tier as with VM Ireland. Order on the website, 18 month contract for £40/month; phone retentions no contract, £20 a month, £120 account credit, free Superhub 9.

Perhaps this'll be why there's a struggle to find money for capacity?

EDIT 2: With very few exceptions where areas are very lightly loaded this is supposed to be for 16 downstream Arris areas with 64QAM upstream channels only.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

This is what I am worried about. I am only guaranteed 20/20 on my service but I do get full speed that I can get, which is 80/20 and 74/18 throughput. I am worried that this Virgin will be slow at best for where I am personally. I know that whilst I am not guaranteed any more service than a normal FTTC punter, I do get sort of dedicated Ethernet access when I get to the exchange (I think that's how EoFTTC works anyway?)

I use what I want/like and I pay a reasonable price so I have no qualms with my personal attitude to it all.

I do have a house which has 5 tenants in and I would install this if it would suit them all. But if it's going to go down to 60 then it's not going to be worth me doing. I know this area can get 300 as I had a call about 300 for business a month ago.

Apparently the 200 round there is okay and I was considering the business 200 or 300 but then I learnt it's got STM on it out of hours, which does make sense. I was hoping this homeworks 300 would be a better solution as it's residential only.

It's either that or I put in 2 EoFTTC lines and get them balanced, A few companys would do that. I charge as such that any tenant is entitled to the best internet I can get for them. I even have 1 house with a leased line (but it has 15 in and most are on 5 years contract as they are converted flats)

Sorry to go off scale and waffle on a bit - but for my cheaper side I would have liked to have used VM. Does/Would the 28 day cooling off period work here do you think?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Of course theres problems with the 300 meg upgrade now i'm paranoid about mine

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I never saw 200 that good around where I live, 300 should be good for you?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I said the other day Bath hasn't had the CMTS upgrades yet. Unless they have managed to get it running on the BSR's and only having select customers, EG home works, running it. Time will tell though!

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well again the order went through and i have 64QAM on both upstreams so who knows

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I know that Bath has Motorola BSR's. I personally don't think it will work, the 64qam has nothing to do with it. I've just read the link that Igni put up, and it would seem you are in a similar scenario.

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:57 ----------

But it would be good to see if it does work

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I hope it works 300 meg would be nice to have

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I would rather have 80/20 and it be solid. + when I move again I will only have FTTC at 80/20 and so anything faster and I would feel like a downgrade :/

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I've only ever dropped bellow 200 twice most of the time it's 209

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Then you have a good area and you are lucky some might say :)

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

That's why i'm praying 300 works

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well, will be keen to see the outcome ;)

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Ive got mine installed very impressed i have to say the below result is the superhub 3 in modem modem connected to my ac router

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/03/11.png

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Stop making me jealous

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well, when others are on it and you still get that speed, then I will be impressed.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Question, shouldn't i have a tracking number by now?



https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2016/03/4.jpg

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Fully up and running on 12 channels annnnnnd

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/03/10.png

Well this is surprising

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

LOL nice one - We posted at the same time :)

---------- Post added at 12:14 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Looking good :) Let's see what it's like at peak time !

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I am so goddamn happy right now this is amazing

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

That extra 100meg makes a difference?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Can the man not just enjoy his service without people starting to nick pick his speed?

Jesus.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I got it for the upload my skype quality no longer tanks when i screen share so that's got me happy enough, 300 is nice to have though considering how much i download.

---------- Post added at 12:38 ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 ----------

Now now no need to get aggressive

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Not available in my area yet apparently. I have 16 downstream channels and a SH3 already so was kinda hoping it would be ready.
I spent 2 hours this morning on the phone the first was speaking to some offshore person who didn't have a clue what i was on about kept putting me on hold saying that it's a 24 month contract at £63 a month He didn't like the fact i was telling him he was wrong so he kept putting me on hold, after an hour i was transferd to a UK call center who said it was currently not available. Big pain in the ass

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Nice ping too :)

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I would love to have that upload speed, hopefully 200Mb sees a boost to 20 soon with the hints I have seen.

That low ping is nice, my ping has done nothing but go up in the last few years, it used to be 6 or 7ms to London, these days it's 14 - 17ms.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Not being aggressive. Just asking why people always ask this question.

---------- Post added at 17:50 ---------- Previous post was at 17:26 ----------

This is the point where I can see VM overtaking FTTC. I can get max on 106/22 so soon even if BT put mine up to 30 I would not get it. But if VM get higher I might look at them again.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

It was hinted at earlier that the 10:1 thing was coming back so 200 would have 20 and 300 would have 30 though i'm probably mis-quoting

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Well i think Igni hinted it - so we can take that as pretty confirmed.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I'll stand corrected then! Unless it's to do with the tunnel on the Hitron modem needing to be connected to an Arris CMTS but as no tunnel is used on the Hub3 it can do the 300mb maybe?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

I'm on 12 channels as we speak getting 318 after a few hours.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So there is some slight congestion in your area then. Cable does not start lower and get higher I don't think. it's synch or not synch.?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

It started at 308 now getting 318-320 so i have no idea your guess is as good as mine at this point.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ping/s...22-03-2016.png

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

im still none the wiser with this homeworks.

Im gonna try and place another order. Will they upgrade my speed before the tivo box arrives as i already have a SH3?

When i rang last time twice they said i have to have a new SH3 when i already have one which i dont understand.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

Unlikely. Normally any change to a bundle is booked as a single order so all changes apply when the new kit is activated.

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

So hang on. We now do need to have TiVo as well!?

Re: Virgin Media Homeworks 300Mb
 

This was discussed above, but since last November all current Virgin Media bundles require TiVo if you have TV.

So as HomeWorks + 300Mbit is only available with a current bundle including 200Mbit, if you don't have TiVo with your TV already you will also need TiVo as part of the order.

If you don't have TV as part of your services, then you aren't required to take it to get HomeWorks + 300Mb.