Legal action taken against Virgin Media throttling practices - Page 16

BenMcr · 13-03-2009, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonglet

That would be a suprise saying as how vm adsl has harsher unlimited limits on adsl than cable

.

Doesn't bother me

Fatec · 13-03-2009, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Oh and although again it is on no relevence - my use of be is purley because I can't get VM cable.

Currently I am considering switching to VM ADSL - now that the LLU has been done and they don't have to rely on the BT network

Even though they cap you for a full week if you go over their pultry limit

Mike_A · 13-03-2009, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_SEO

Please let me know if there's any way we can help you.

Thanks. I know it doesn't help but I understand your frustrations. Restricting one level of service to encourage transfer to another level of service is called "upward selling" or "VAB" (value added business).

I have written to Virgin. I shall await their responses or defences to the action before taking the matter further. The next step is to start debate on wider public access sites like Facebook, communicate with very senior government ministers, and progress to the stage of press releases and interviews. It is fair and reasonable to allow VM to settle the dispute amicably for all.

What astonishes me is the amazing incompetence of VMs marketing department. They have an opportunity here to brand and roll out a campaign that would bring in customers, not cause angst amongst those they have. I've taught enough marketing postgraduates to know how easy it is for VM to move forward more positively than relying on lawyers and customer service personnel.

Ignitionnet · 13-03-2009, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Doesn't bother me

Cool, so you've no problems with being limited to 512kbps then in turn 80kbps if you break limits which are not shown anywhere as they just cream the top off the userbase, IE one week 10GB gets you nailed, the next it could be 5GB, depending on how busy the Internet is?

13-03-2009, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Oh and although again it is on no relevence - my use of be is purley because I can't get VM cable.

Currently I am considering switching to VM ADSL - now that the LLU has been done and they don't have to rely on the BT network

BenMcr, I don't think it's the best for you to switch to Virgin Media. You will be stuck with them for life. Just read the posts... or at least my posts... Hope it helps...

Fatec · 13-03-2009, 13:07

This is why i give up on the UK completely, companies can do what they like, everybody here gets shafted and just takes it, even without lube.

jamiefrost · 13-03-2009, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonglet

Point is though jamie people dont just use the net for looking at web pages and e-mail anymore hence the higher speed packages getting sold, if we did only do that the old 1 or 2mb line would be fine.

When people get a FREE upgrade (even though this is going to push the contention ratio down even more on isp's hardware) with vm it usaully comes at a cost to the customer hidden from view in a small print or a sneaky change to the t&c's that they never see.

My last FREE upgrade to 20mb came with FREE stm.
Tommorows FREE next tier or price reduction could come with a free application throttling, or higher stm, or phorm just to jiggle the profits of the company or save bandwith.

I agree people do more than browse and look at emails but I don't consider that STM is sneaky or hidden it's available for all to see. Changes in STM are not changes in T&C's, if the T&C's state that Virgin can restrict usage as they see fit then doing so is not changing the T&C's.

JJ

BenMcr · 13-03-2009, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadbandings

Ben,

You forgot these ones:

No I didn't - those two apply to services where specified traffic management policies do not apply - such as BT/TalkTalk etc where they have a set limit and the customer may not be able to keep track over a full bill period when they have hit it.

As I've said before - if Virgin were to e-mail a customer it is quite likely they would already be out the managment period by the time they recieved the e-mail

If they weren't all it would contain is the Traffic Managment policy.

As for e-mails, enough customers have no e-mail recorded and/or do not use it make it worthless

---------- Post added at 14:11 ---------- Previous post was at 14:09 ----------

Anyway, this thread has certainly moved off the original topic which was the ability of Virgin to vary the contracts

13-03-2009, 13:16

[QUOTE=Mike_A;34751862]Thanks. I know it doesn't help but I understand your frustrations. Restricting one level of service to encourage transfer to another level of service is called "upward selling" or "VAB" (value added business).

I completely agree with you. I work for business and I think Virgin Media must have the most incompetent marketing department. You can never ever run a business when your customers are forced to stay with you.

I was with bethere for about few months, they have only 3 months contract in place. When I called to them cancel, they did it straight away. They did not offer me any service. later I received an email saying that we respect your decision and hope you come back to us. And there hope was right because as soon as I get out of Virgin Media's slavery, I will right away go back to them.

I think Virgin Media should consider reorganizing their marketing strategy and replacing their marketing team. I'm sure that guys in the streets selling "Big Issue" can do a better job than them! Sorry if it sounds a rude but if you think about it then you will understand.

Bytheway thanks for advise regarding writing a letter to my local MP. I will do this tonight.

Does anyone know of any campaign on face book against virgin media's illegal actions?

Ignitionnet · 13-03-2009, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

No I didn't - those two apply to services where specified traffic management policies do not apply - such as BT/TalkTalk etc where they have a set limit and the customer may not be able to keep track over a full bill period when they have hit it.

Oh I see, so these regulations don't apply to Virgin. I'm a bit confused as the Ofcom code mentions Fair Use Policies, which is the exact phrase that appeared on VM advertising. Perhaps so long as it's referred to as 'Subscriber Traffic Managment Policy' or 'Acceptable Use Policy' that means it's not applicable.

I have asked Ofcom to clarify this matter for me and will get back to you.

Quote:

As I've said before - if Virgin were to e-mail a customer it is quite likely they would already be out the managment period by the time they recieved the e-mail

If they weren't all it would contain is the Traffic Managment policy.

As for e-mails, enough customers have no e-mail recorded and/or do not use it make it worthless

Oh that's alright then, if they'd be out of the period and the mail wouldn't have much in it it's fine to ignore that bit and claim compliance.

Gary L · 13-03-2009, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

As I've said before - if Virgin were to e-mail a customer it is quite likely they would already be out the managment period by the time they recieved the e-mail

If they weren't all it would contain is the Traffic Managment policy.

As for e-mails, enough customers have no e-mail recorded and/or do not use it make it worthless

You should forward these excuses to Virgin to use in court.
You can add the one about not wanting to waste paper informing people, and saving it to sell them stuff instead.

BenMcr · 13-03-2009, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadbandings

I have asked Ofcom to clarify this matter for me and will get back to you.

Cool thanks

Quote:

Oh that's alright then, if they'd be out of the period and the mail wouldn't have much in it it's fine to ignore that bit and claim compliance.

No what I'm trying to point out is that if you get a mail going 'You have been traffic managed' when it applies to 3 days ago, it isn't much use.

The clause in the OFCOM rules is so that if use say 40Gb of data and then are managed for the rest of the month, then you know that - so the e-mail would have more relevance

jamiefrost · 13-03-2009, 13:24

I still fail to see the difference between getting STM'd to 5meg and paying 20meg on cable and paying 24/16 meg and only geting 8meg on ADSL.

Even after reading the pages on traffic shaping still don't see how STM can cause web pages not to load etc.

If max out my STM'd connect downloading why can I still connect to every web site with no losses.

JJ

Ignitionnet · 13-03-2009, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Cool thanks

No what I'm trying to point out is that if you get a mail going 'You have been traffic managed' when it applies to 3 days ago, it isn't much use.

The clause in the OFCOM rules is so that if use say 40Gb of data and then are managed for the rest of the month, then you know that - so the e-mail would have more relevance

That's not up to you or Virgin Media to interpret to be honest, and is just an excuse. If Ofcom want active reporting to customers as part of the voluntary code that's what they'll get, be it for shaping for 5 hours or 5 weeks.

Anyway I've asked the question so we'll see how it goes.

Bonglet · 13-03-2009, 13:28

No it hasnt moved off topic the topic is throttling practices dont try and get the thread locked because you dont like loosing debate :P.

Bt/Talk talk have a set limit over a full bill period i.e monthly? well we have a DAILY set limit with no way to track it even when you download nothing and fall foul of stm all over the bill period too no difference.

Its up to virgin media to get customers e-mail and inform them of throttling, the customer is getting a provided service therefore the service provider has to get details of how to inform that customer not the other way around.