[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

Well have a think of common internet activities.

Streaming video - so youtube, netflix, iplayer and the like. The user doesnt have to wait for a download, they just have to wait for the initial buffering, if they on a good isp thats it, no more waiting. A 30mbit connection will handle all those services without an issue at HD quality as long as there isnt congestion screwing it up. I am able to watch netflix super hd on a 2.4ghz 20mhz wifi channel no problem.
Uploading video - things change, its waiting time if you want to upload your own videos.
downloading/uploading photos - yes one has to wait but downloading a photo at 30mbit/sec, the wait should be short and sweet, however uploading high res photos at say 2mbit/sec not so sweet.
Browsing websites - internet shopping, twitter, banking, news sites, forums etc. all these should be a doddle at 30mbit/sec, 100mbit/sec wont make one bit of difference, of course in this neither does upload bandwidth, unless of course you are uploading 'whilst' browsing, then browsing becomes a laggy process. Not if you have say 20mbit/sec of upload bandwidth and your provider has a few gbit of shared upload capacity tho, then its barely noticeable.

Common activities even shows how upload capacity of both the end user and provider can affect things.

However I do agree with you that some users been so dumb lets VM off the hook they dont think isp congestion/limitations is the cause of their slow service. Instead VM tech bods have them fooled its their temporary internet folder clogging things up.

I'm certainly not debating the pros and cons of Virgin, just that some people (In my opinion, most people) are simply unaware of factors outside of the headline download speed. I certainly had to explain upload speeds more than a few times when I was there, though it was incredibly rare occurrence that upload speeds were ever mentioned.