Quote:
Originally Posted by D_TOX
Hello all,
Seems people here are pretty helpful and friendly, so i thought i'd throw some of my queries out there about VM-BB.
First of all, im just a part-time working college student so went for the cheapest option from VM which was the 2MB BB, just broadband, no bundles. In my house we already have Sky up-to 8MB ADSL broadband but its been so crap the last 6 months, d/cing here and there, VERY dodgy 65Kb/s speeds so i have had enough and decided to just get my own separate broadband for my bedroom. But thats neither here nor there.
Anywho we used to have NTL nearly a year ago and when we got Sky they tore out the old NTL cable (yet half of it is still stickin to the house). I've arranged for a technician to come fit my new broadband and told them about the situation. Now i'm assuming they are going to connect up another piece of wire to the old NTL cable left-over? If that is so, then how will i be receiving the 'super duper fast fibre optic' broadband?
Also, what is this 'fibre optic broadband'? Is it just a gimmick? Does it actually provide better results than average DSL? On the 2MB connection, what is the average download speed you get with that? I spoke to the guy on the phone, naturally he told me 'as close to 2MB as you can get' which is obviously far from the truth (no offense Mr.Niceman).
Appreciate the replies, VM has actually been very helpful so far and i'm pleased with their customer relations.
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'Fibre Optic Broadband' is where glass cables are laid down below streets and pathways to form a network throughout the uk. As said, this glass cable runs to the cabinet and from there is a copper cable.
BT Use copper cables throughout most areas and fibre as a backbone (not too sure how bt's network is so dont quote me)
Because its copper cables all the way from the exchange with BT (adsl broadband) its distance that regulates the speed you will achieve.
However with glass cables its light that travels through them, so to put it simply light travels a LOT faster through its glass cable than what electrical does through copper.
Copper cable is fine for short distances, which is why the copper cable comes from the box at the end of the street.
The Combination of Copper and Fibre cables brings the name 'HFC Network' Which stands for Hybrid Fibre Coaxial.
For more info check out HFC and Fibre networks through search engines and/or wiki
You may find a few simple explinations @
http://www.fibrecities.eu NB This site is nothing to do with virgin media, its just for reference.
In answer to your question, yes it SHOULD theoretically and most of the time does provide far better connection speeds and a more reliable connection, however you will see from posts on the board, theres a good few who dont get speeds advertised for one reason or another
J x