Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Virgin will this week launch the first gamers broadband tariff aimed directly at video gamers.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b212349c-6...#axzz4Iq3UBhI9

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Of course we were all assuming any uplift in speed whether down or up would be "free", but this seems fair. If you want more upload, then you'll need to pay more for it.

Perhaps VM may even offer more upload boosts, at a cost, in the near future.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Great for those wanting to stream their gameplay via Twitch or whatever.

Will not improve latency otherwise, it does not have priority over other tiers.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

The service goes live tomorrow but will not be seen as an upgrade on accounts for a further three days.

I would be cautious about taking it up though. very cautious if you suffer from congestion issues on download speed in your area.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I can't see the point. It wont fix the inherent jitter and £5 for an 8mbps upload speed increase doesn't seem like great value.

VM have been slapped before for their claims about how 'great' their network is for gaming, so will at least be interesting to see how they market this.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Was honestly expecting this as a free upgrade along with upload bumps to other packages given the recent price hike...

Can't see how anybody savvy enough to know they need 20mbit upload going for virgin with its worse latency etc when they could go and get fibre from BT etc with 20mbit upload and better quality service for less money.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I have zero interest in gaming, but a large interest in the increased upload.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Another rip off I feel.

More upload is welcomed but not at a higher price than what we pay now.

My point being is that just about every other Liberty Global division already offers 20Mb+ upload on their mainstream packages, but yet again, Brits have to pay more and VM are piecemealing services too much adding to confusion.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

same! ... I'm upgrading tomorrow!:)

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Instead of the gamers tarriff it should be called the bit torrent tariff instead....

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I dare say torrents will still be throttled during the day (If they're not 24/7).

As a gamer, I have zero interest in this package. However, these things that start off as a premium are usually a precursor to a wider rollout downstream. Really it started with Homeworks 300 and I've always said I'd happily pay a small premium to remove STM - perhaps in 12-18 months, 10:1 will be standard and upload STM will be a thing of the past. One can hope.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

would i need hub 3 to take advantage of upload increase as currently on vivid 200 now with 2ac in modem mode

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

That the majority of people can't get 20Mb upstream on BT etc due to distance from the cabinet probably helps their case.

---------- Post added at 00:54 ---------- Previous post was at 00:53 ----------

Nah. The 2ac is just fine, although they may want people to move to the 3. You wouldn't need it for the extra upload.

---------- Post added at 00:56 ---------- Previous post was at 00:54 ----------

They probably aren't throttled now. The DPI kit should be monitoring only.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I'm struggling to understand this. After my loyalty, and oversubsribed BB, discount ran out i'm paying about £28, soon to rise to about £31, for 70Mb BB only.

According to this i could have

up to 50Mbps fibre optic broadband, 70+Channels & Phone only £12 a month for 12 months (£26 a month thereafter)

I think i need to phone them up!

Virgin Media broadband gamers tariff + Virgin TV changes September
 

Get comfy. Your Virgin TV pack just got better!

We want to bring you the very best telly – just the way you want it. We’ve made lots of improvements so far – and there’s even more to look forward to.

Like what?

Your TV pack may have a new name
With TiVo, there’s a new way to find the telly you love, wherever it’s hiding (in Catch Up, On demand or even in places like Netflix) with Series Link+
If you have a TiVo box, you’ll notice we’ve made the menus simpler and easier to browse – with more images and less text.
Soon, you will be able to watch more of the telly you love on the go in the UK with WiFi– that includes Catch Up, On Demand– as well as over 100 live channels (depending on your subscription).
You have more channels to enjoy
It’s all part of our bringing the best bits of the TV world together, no matter who made them. So it’s easier to find the telly you love – and watch it how you like.

Find your TV pack below and see how it’s improving.

Full House (previously XL)

What’s new?

Your TV pack is now called Full House TV
Virgin TV Box Sets and Virgin TV Exclusives to watch at home or on the go – get lost in Magic City. And get set to blitz all 4 series of Suits. Virgin TV Box Sets have arrived, bringing you critically-acclaimed dramas and documentaries, comedy and reality shows. And there’s more to come your way.
Find telly you love fast with Series Link+ (if you have a TiVo box)
New channels to enjoy, including Sky Sports Mix HD, Pop, MovieMix, and Movies4Men
Plus, you’ll still enjoy:

A whopping range of channels, including: Nat Geo Wild, Disney, Disney XD, Disney Junior and all the BT Sport channels in HD
The free to air players that matter, including: BBC iPlayer, All4, YouTube, Vevo and even Sky On Demand
Netflix, and Curzon Home Cinema on your TV if you have an account with these services, plus hayu included at no extra cost (worth £3.99 a month).
The latest films to rent with Virgin Movies
Search for telly you love, across live TV, Catch Up and Netflix (if you have a Netflix subscription)
Store up to 250 hours of standard definition TV (or 50 hours of high definition)
Stream over 100 channels on any registered device, in any room of your home with WiFi

Fun (previously L)

What’s new?

Your TV pack is now called Fun TV
Find telly you love fast with Series Link+ (if you have a TiVo box)
New channels to enjoy, including Sky Sports Mix, Discovery Turbo, Pop, Movies4Men, MoviesMix
Plus, you’ll still enjoy:

The free to air players that matter, including: BBC iPlayer, All4, YouTube, Vevo and even Sky On Demand - Netflix, hayu and Curzon Home Cinema on your TV if you have an account with these services
The latest films to rent with Virgin Movies - Search for telly you love, across live TV, Catch Up and Netflix (if you have a Netflix subscription)
Store up to 250 hours of standard definition TV (or 50 hours of high definition)
Stream over 90 channels on any registered device, in any room of your home with WiFi

Mix+

A brand new TV pack to enjoy -
A brilliant mix of channels including Sky 1, Sky Living, Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports News Fox, GOLD and Boomerang
The free to air players that matter, including: BBC iPlayer, All4, YouTube, Vevo and even Sky On Demand
Netflix, hayu and Curzon Home Cinema on your TV if you have an account with these services
The latest films to rent with Virgin Movies
Search for telly you love, across live TV, Catch Up, and Netflix (if you have a Netflix subscription)
Store up to 250 hours of standard definition TV (or 50 hours of high definition)
Stream over 70 channels on any registered device, in any room of your home with WiFi
M+

The name of your package won’t change
Find telly you love fast with Series Link+ (if you have a TiVo box)
New channels to enjoy, including Sky Sports Mix, Comedy Central, Cartoonito, Tiny Pop, Pop, Movies4Men, MoviesMix

More

The name of your package won’t change
Find telly you love fast with Series Link+ (if you have a TiVo box)
2 new channels to enjoy: Quest +1 and Home
Player (previously M)

What’s new? - Your TV pack is now called Player TV
Find telly you love fast with Series Link+ (if you have a TiVo box)
2 new channels to enjoy: Quest +1 and Home
Plus, you’ll still enjoy:

The essential free to air channels, like Dave, Challenge, CBeebies and CBBC
The free to air players and Catch Up services that matter, including: BBC iPlayer, All4, YouTube, Vevo and more - Access to Netflix, hayu and Curzon Home Cinema on your TV if you have an account with these services
The latest films to rent with Virgin Movies - Search for telly you love, across live TV, Catch Up and Netflix (if you have a subscription)
Store up to 250 hours of standard definition TV (or 50 hours of high definition)
Stream over 30 channels on any registered device, wherever there’s WiFi

http://store.virginmedia.com/digital-tv.html

The TV you love, the way you want it, brilliantly brought together by Virgin Media.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

All the prices listed exclude line rental, which is £19 on top, and have 18 month minimum terms.
50Mbps broadband on its own is £32.25.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

This sounds a bit like the old NTL trick of charging gamers for a second IP, back in the days before most people had a home router.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

you need a superhub3 ... the hub2ac isn't compatible! :shocked:

(just ordered via live chat)

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

As providers will be compelled to include line rental in their broadband prices, it's a shame VM hasn't taken advantage of the new packages to do this.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I've just looked at my 'upgrades and offers' and it says (player bundle)

Upgrade from an extra £5.62 a month

Ongoing cost £33.87
Virgin Phone line @ £19.00 Included

I've been meaning to phone them anyway.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Probably smart. Takes care of upgrades they are going to be doing in the near future to the tier's download speeds.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I was thinking of upgrading to 200Mbps Gamer for the extra upload and removal of STM, but I've read bad things about the Superhub 3. My 2ac is solid is a rock in modem mode, how likely is it I'll be a victim of this connection dropping issue when the 3 is in modem mode?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Phoned them, didn't ask about the new bundles but instead of my BB going up to £32 in November i'll be paying £23 for 6 months and then £26 for 12 months.

Happy with that as it's comparable with other ISP offerings.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Looks like I'll be shopping around, everything they can offer me is about £10/month more expensive than a new customer deal

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Just upgraded working very well


https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2017/06/11.png

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Placed my order.

As above, they said I'll have to switch to the SH3, which is on its way to me.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I'm gonna have to wait couple of hours vm having problems with new deals

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

So for the first time ever I called up with a threat to cancel as Sky are offering 50% off for VM customers. That finally got them to budge a little and they've given me 200Mb Gamer with no requirement for a SH3, but it hasn't applied to my connection yet and could take up to 24 hours.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I very much doubt you'll get the 200Mbit Gamer tier with your existing kit.

I'd expect it's the same as HomeWorks + 300. If you don't get the Hub 3.0 you remain on whichever speed it was you were on before the package change.

Customer Relations can't override this as it's applied at a technology level.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

It's what I was told (or rather not told as they simply upgraded me to 200Mb Gamer, SuperHubs of any kind weren't mentioned), so we'll see in 24 hours.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

If we're already at the point new services needing the hub 3, why are they sending out the superhub 2 to upgrading customers going to 200Mb.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

My guess is because the 200Mbit "gamer" tier is the new premium tier so it gets the first uplifts.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

It's just a kick in the teeth when you're a VIP customer and have been for years. Especially when people can upgrade to the hub 3 when they don't even need it.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

i'm a vip customer and even i'm getting one for free in black now aswell

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

There is no way for Virgin Media to specifically send you a black one. You will get whichever is in stock, which may still be a white one.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Getting rid of traffic management is worth £5 extra a month, I tried to order yesterday but got told systems were down and they couldn't process the order.

Did you have to pay for activation of the hub3 @ £14.99? On top of the £5/month they wanted a one off £4.50 charge for changing the package and £14.99 for activating hub 3. Is that even right?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

The £4.50 won't be a charge for changing the package. It'll likely be a part month charge for your new service between the date of the change to the start of the next monthly rental period.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I've never been throttled to my knowledge. Apparently my usage sits around 300gb per month. My speeds always sit at 180-205 consistently.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I just got a call about this from my dad and said it's not worth it purely for gaming or even streaming.

Twitch if you want to stream to that only allow a maximum of 3.5Mb, IIRC Youtube are the same and when you actually play games the most I have seen any game use is 1Mb to 2Mb so it's not, worth it for that.

Uploading videos to Youtube, then yes the increase would be worth it especially for me as most of the time when I upload a video it's over 5GB in size for 1080p and over 10GB in size for 4K.

If you want a decrease in Ping, then it's down to the ISP to sort out the routing of the traffic and the server hosting companies to have a decent server hardware wise and also a decent, amount of bandwidth going to it otherwise your ping is going to stay the same.

I would be very surprised if this makes any difference to pings or ability to stream, unless Virgin decide to start limiting them on none "Gamer" tier broadband tiers.

It doesn't seem to want to give the actual image, no matter what I try but the below test was done whilst gaming on the Xbox One and talking in a party chat, so I cannot see how it's going to improve something that is already pretty decent.

http://beta.speedtest.net/result/5599885519

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

STM only applies to uploads, except for 200Mb Gaming, and Homeworks+ which have no STM.

It's totally worth it for steaming because on VM uploads are capped. After uploading 3000MB a VIVID 200Mb user will have their upload throttled to just over 4Mbps for 2 hours. That doesn't leave much headroom for your gaming and VoIP traffic. Also some services allow streaming 4K @ 60fps, which will require several times the bandwidth of Twitch.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Biggest rip off by EVIL Virgin Media. Why pay £50 a month for gaming 200/20.

My FTTC 80/20 for 99p a month is the best deal, no throttle, low ping, suitable gaming too, getting 75Meg down and 19Meg up.

Why need 200Meg for?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Hahaha.

You do talk nonsense. 99p!, Where?

Also you used to always be first to post that you had VMs fastest speed as soon as it was available. So sorry if I don't believe a word you say.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

It's true!

I will upload my next billing and prove it!

99p for unlimited fibre extra (80/20) for just 99p for 18 months fixed price! :)

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

And who is that with?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Who's the provider? Sky? You're probably subsidising the price by taking a wad of other services.
Best deal around seems to be Vodafone. Fibre up to 76Mbps, unlimited. Just £28pm including line rental.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

His imaginary friend. Telford is always good for a laugh.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Maybe some of us cannot get bt fibre because bt are lazy so only option is virgin media

---------- Post added at 21:49 ---------- Previous post was at 21:42 ----------

I never asked for black one Ben the agent said he was sending me one

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Gosh, there's a blast from the past ...

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Why can't you post your last bill? And are you still paying for VM?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Telfordcable says he was in a 12-month VM contract so that would have expired by now. Why he can't disclose the provider I don't know.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Plusnet.

They offer a referral discount, he has signed up a whole bunch of people so gets that, and they seem happy to offer him whatever he wants as far as 'loyalty' discounts go.

Obviously to imply that it's available to everyone is absurd.

He veers between delighted and threatening legal action, depending on situation, without much in between. I remember well his concern at losing his referral discounts when Plusnet had serious network issues.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Ah, I misread £18 as 18 months :blush:

Anyway to update my situation, my 200Mb Gamer update hasn't been applied. The person who sold me it didn't bother to check if I had the right hardware. I'll get my SH3 on Tuesday at no charge. Hopefully I won't get the port flapping issue.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

he's not finished photoshopping it

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Correct I have 17 peoples on my referral discount £21.25 :) plus plusnet offer me discount loyalty £12.50 off for 18 months.

Line Rental Saver £0.00 (12 months)
Anytime Calls £0.00 (18 months)
Unlimited Fibre Extra £0.99p (18 months)

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

So this is hardly a widely-available "deal" as you called it. To suggest Virgin are "EVIL" for charging £50 for 200Mb because you've managed a huge discount from PlusNet, is just... I mean...

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/09/13.jpg

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Its only on upload, not download.

I got a black one, arrived yesterday and is now happily providing me 200/20.

Because I (we) want it, obviously :rolleyes:
I'm not paying £50 for it anyway, besides which its only £5 more than before.
Just becasue you are happy with your subsidised plusnet does not mean others cannot want something more.

Mines happily running in modem mode (purple status light instead of white).
I did notice that logging into it, and then trying to view the status, upset it, but thats not something I normally do.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I'm starting to wonder if VM have any competent staff left.

So first of all they sold me 200Mb Gamer and didn't bother to check if I had the SH3. I've now received my new contract and there's a £14.99 activation fee for Quick Start and the SH3 which nobody bothered to tell me about!

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

The saga continues... my SH3 arrived and has activated but I haven't got the upload speed increase. I called up and are now denying selling me 200Mb Gamer despite me confirming it with three different people!

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

So how do they account for them sending you an SH3 then ? Muppets.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

They couldn't. When I pointed that out the response was "hmmm... yeah".

They want another £8/month which is ridiculous when it's only meant to be £5/month more. I've sent a complaint to the CEO's office.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...kes-blame.html

Hmm. Wonder why the problems.

Perhaps offering stupid deals to customers to retain them, along with ongoing referral discounts that no doubt get abused like crazy leaves them a bit short of cash to keep their network in order?

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I received a call from the CEO's Office this afternoon and after listening to the phone call they decided they should supply my package including 200Mb Gamer at the agreed price. It's running nicely:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/09/12.png

I noticed after the upgrade my max downstream went from 220000000bps to 230000000bps, which has given me a nice little boost from my previous max of around 208Mbps.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

Hi guys
Noob question time if you don't mind.

Will there be an actual tangible benefit to having the Gamer package, as I understand it most games, for me the Battlefield series, do not require a big upload capacity.

I don't download stuff at all really so will I still be traffic managed ?
I always seem to think that the 'net and server performance is better after 11pm.

It is very hit and miss as to whether I have a good or bad experience each night, obviously there are a lot of variables involved with playing in the UK or Germany/Netherlands, all I wish for is the best possible connection.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

I genuinely don't think there's any benefit/difference unless you stream content a lot.

Re: Virgin Media to launch broadband gamers tariff
 

nope, last time I looked (admittedly it was a few years ago) you needed to plan for 64k/sec per user. So that equates to 500kbits per user and if you are hosting a game (e.g. left 4 dead) then you are looking at 2mbits up. I have never tried running a full server for Battlefield but for 32 players (16 a side) you would be looking at 16mbits up and that is based on outdated information. You have got to think about the quality of the gaming experience for you and especially the other player so the other thing I would think about is the router you are using. There is no way I would trust a shub handle it and I would be looking at one of the high performance Asus gaming routers.

you haven't been traffic managed on your downstream for a couple of years now. It is only the upstream which is managed and you have to hit a certain threshold on an hourly basis for it to take affect (which you will do if you are hosting a game and you will need an unmanaged 20mbit connection)

in this day and age there should hardly be any difference. I play Killing Floor 2 pretty much every day on various servers around Europe and have no problem getting pings between 35-60. You have got to remember that games like Battlefield are supposed to showcase I.T technology in all its glory and the majority of dedicated servers are going to be run by companies with the very latest hardware and oodles of bandwidth. If you experience a consistently average/sub par connection then it is more than likely a local congestion issue.