General : FAQ on Virgin Media's WiFi Sharing

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by TAZMANUK

One would assume if you opt in, new firmware would be deployed forcing the Superhub into Superhub mode and disabling modem mode altogether. That would make sense.

As opting in would be the "send new firmware to disable modem mode, force Superhub mode, or if and when you opted out would send the previous firmware you was on before.

---------- Post added at 17:24 ---------- Previous post was at 17:21 ----------

Just as I posted the above I get the email from Virginmedia saying coming to my area in September lol

Those who have the public WiFi enabled firmware are able to see the opt-in/opt-out in My Virgin Media (assuming that you can navigate to there!).

Modem mode remains a free choice at the Superhub.

[Skie]

There's nothing to say what happens to modem mode so I'd not panic just yet.

They won't just turn it off as part of the roll out, Virgin don't like generating more support calls.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by ianch99

Can the FAQ clarify the relationship between modem mode and WiFi sharing?

Also the point about "will this slow down your connection" is dubious. If you are on an over utilised segment there is no guarentee that the people "lodging" on your conenction will be also on the same segment.[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 20:34 ---------- Previous post was at 20:26 ----------

[/COLOR]Out of interest, is there a sensible solution where you might want to opt in and use the new service but still want to retain your (better) router and all the features that come with it?

I'm not sure I completely understand the highlighted sentence but I know what you mean (I think).

A "lodger" MUST be on the same segment as you simply because it has to go back to the same line card via the same optics as your private traffic.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I'm not sure I completely understand the highlighted sentence but I know what you mean (I think).

A "lodger" MUST be on the same segment as you simply because it has to go back to the same line card via the same optics as your private traffic.

The FAQ asserts that the "lodgers" use of your WiFi will not degrade your service:

But won't this cause extra congestion?

Unlikely. People using your connection are already Virgin customers, the bandwidth they're using on the shared wifi is just bandwidth they're not using at home.

The assertion that these users are not using their service at home and therefore will not impact your service is dubious. This is only true if they are also assigned to your cable segment, hard to prove but I would think that this scenario would be a minority one.

This raises a potential issue with this new service: if your segment is over-utilised then this additional traffic can only exacerbate the problem. How much by will be governed by the QoS, Bandwidth and Speed settings which AFAIK have not been released yet.

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by ianch99

The FAQ asserts that the "lodgers" use of your WiFi will not degrade your service:


The assertion that these users are not using their service at home and therefore will not impact your service is dubious. This is only true if they are also assigned to your cable segment, hard to prove but I would think that this scenario would be a minority one.

This raises a potential issue with this new service: if your segment is over-utilised then this additional traffic can only exacerbate the problem. How much by will be governed by the QoS, Bandwidth and Speed settings which AFAIK have not been released yet.

The thing is, this applies regardless of local congestion. People are going to be upset if the shared wifi impacts their connection and it could impact them if the QoS isn't up to snuff - even in an area with zero congestion.

Originally Posted by Skie

There's nothing to say what happens to modem mode so I'd not panic just yet.

They won't just turn it off as part of the roll out, Virgin don't like generating more support calls.

Ding ding ding! Virgin's entire operation revolves around upselling services and reducing support. It would be insane to retroactively disable a feature that was so heavily requested in the first place, because the only reason they created the feature was due to the number of support calls the non-modem mode firmware generated.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Mr K

It seems from what's been said you're automatically opted in unless you opt out. So will people in modem mode suddenly find there routers don't work and their wireless now rubbish? Stand by for a few complaints ! There's no way I'm using my Superdud1 in router mode -serves them right for giving customers cruddy equipment. As the Dragons say, I'm out !

Originally Posted by General Maximus

absolutely, that is why I logged in and opted out as soon as they sent me the email explaining it all the other day. I don't think we have ever talked out it on this forum but hopefully there is a large enough number of users (I would guess 25%) that use modem mode that it has made VM pause for thought and address how they are going to get round it.

Modem mode is not being removed, nor will your choice to use Modem mode be reset.

[Kushan]

So Ben, can you comment on what happens if you don't opt-out but continue to use Modem mode? Is this a possible loophole?

[adduxi]

Originally Posted by General Maximus

you sign into my virginmedia, click on profile and then scroll all the way down to the bottom to the wifi section and select opt out.

Nope ......
Been checking this for several days and there is nothing on my profile about WiFi.
Not too concerned, as I'm in Modem Mode and even if I was in Router Mode, the SH WiFi does not reach outside the house

[DaMac]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

That's cause BT suck and their own "similar thing" is far too slow for modern youths!

I agree, I already have to move gangs of youths on from outside my property, if it gets around that there is free wi-Fi as well I will be deluged.
Does this work if you are set to modem mode?

---------- Post added at 12:32 ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 ----------

Ps if Virgin can get more data up and down my connection I want them to offer it to me, personally me and the wife don't need mobile wi-Fi we both have all you can eat 4g data plans, what an absolute stupid idea!

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by DaMac

Ps if Virgin can get more data up and down my connection I want them to offer it to me, personally me and the wife don't need mobile wi-Fi we both have all you can eat 4g data plans, what an absolute stupid idea!

So the speed doubling, then? Virgin can theoretically go even way above that.

[DaMac]

pps there just opted out and any attempt to make my shub2 do anything than act in a modem will result in me leaving.

---------- Post added at 12:40 ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 ----------

Originally Posted by Kushan

So the speed doubling, then? Virgin can theoretically go even way above that.

Well offer me 400mb internet then Virgin instead of offering me stuff I don't need, I'm sat here having my dinner near a field using 4g, there is not a chance I could get a signal from a super hub here, absolute waste of time and money idea jeez.

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by DaMac

Well offer me 400mb internet then Virgin instead of offering me stuff I don't need, I'm sat here having my dinner near a field using 4g, there is not a chance I could get a signal from a super hub here, absolute waste of time and money idea jeez.

Well, unfortunately Virgin has several million customers, many of which will make great use of the service.

It's also a pretty efficient way to increase monetisation of their network - A software update - no doubt Virgin's wifi sharing will become part of a bigger wireless network that Virgin can charge 3rd parties access for.

It's shame that you won't personally find it useful, but I wager you also don't watch every single TV channel that comes through your box.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by General Maximus

hopefully there is a large enough number of users (I would guess 25%) that use modem mode

In reality it's closer to 1%.

---------- Post added at 13:19 ---------- Previous post was at 13:19 ----------

Originally Posted by Dush

I'd like to keep modem mode - how do I opt out in my account? I've not received any emails/letters saying I will have access to the service yet.

Do nothing.

[adduxi]

Originally Posted by Kushan

<SNIP>
It's shame that you won't personally find it useful, but I wager you also don't watch every single TV channel that comes through your box.

Don't think I would ever use this either, and as for the TV, there are days I don't even turn it on ....
Then again, I'm an old fart who still reads the Radio Times and can separate my phone from my hand
I've even been known to read paper books .........

[Xtinguish]

I found the opt out section easily on my profile so I used it as I do not wish to use the shared wi-fi service.