Virgin limiting download speeds intentionally

Welshchris · 22-02-2009, 20:53

Im sure Virgin are intentionally limiting download speeds intentionally.

For a few days now ive been doing a few downloads starting at around 25 past 9 and its been really slow around 800k. At around 9:45 if a file is downloading it will stop for about 8 - 10 seconds THEN the download speed jumps from what it was when it stopped around 800k to over 7mb/s and then it will settle at the full 2.2mb/s i should be getting and its done this for a few days in a row and the downloads im downloading are from different websites.

22-02-2009, 20:56

What websites?
Links please

Jonathan90 · 22-02-2009, 21:58

It could just be that after 9PM everyone starts their downloads causing higher loads on your ubr which inturn will give a slower speed.

22-02-2009, 22:07

Could be lots of things TBH Jon but we'll need more than what Chris has offered us.
You know, the basics that anyone who's been here awhile would have seen asked for and posted.

Modem levels, ping and trace to bbc or google. Do this when your connection is "limiting download speeds intentionally" And when its not.... Where you are downloading from so we can go have a look see ourselves.

And I'm not having a pop at you Chris, this kind of sweeping statement is made far to often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshchris

Im sure Virgin are intentionally limiting download speeds intentionally.

We know about STM so if you have new evidence to share of further "throttling" "management" would you post it here for us all please Chris.

Welshchris · 22-02-2009, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan90

It could just be that after 9PM everyone starts their downloads causing higher loads on your ubr which inturn will give a slower speed.

that made no sence to what i posted.

---------- Post added at 00:03 ---------- Previous post was at 00:03 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocemp

Could be lots of things TBH Jon but we'll need more than what Chris has offered us.
You know, the basics that anyone who's been here awhile would have seen asked for and posted.

Modem levels, ping and trace to bbc or google. Do this when your connection is "limiting download speeds intentionally" And when its not.... Where you are downloading from so we can go have a look see ourselves.

And I'm not having a pop at you Chris, this kind of sweeping statement is made far to often.

We know about STM so if you have new evidence to share of further "throttling" "management" would you post it here for us all please Chris.

how can i get more evidence than what ive noticed so far?

---------- Post added at 00:04 ---------- Previous post was at 00:03 ----------

+ according to Virgin Media the Max my UBR hits is less than 70%

Joxer · 22-02-2009, 23:15

Umm, wait ten minutes before starting the download?
Some more information is definately required, where are you downloding from, how are you downloading, what with, have you tried other places?

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan90 View Post
It could just be that after 9PM everyone starts their downloads causing higher loads on your ubr which inturn will give a slower speed.
that made no sence to what i posted.

That made perfect sense and is entirely possible.

bigtoe · 22-02-2009, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshchris

that made no sence to what i posted.

---------- Post added at 00:03 ---------- Previous post was at 00:03 ----------

how can i get more evidence than what ive noticed so far?

---------- Post added at 00:04 ---------- Previous post was at 00:03 ----------

+ according to Virgin Media the Max my UBR hits is less than 70%

I get the same here in stockport, if I log into Giganews or any HTTP download at 4:30PM or later i get around 700k down. Log in at 3PM I get upto 2.2mb. I have even tested this by staying off all day and loggin in at 5pm and starting a download. I looked at the modem stats...nothing has changed.

I'm about to call VM and ask them to bill me for 20 days at 20mb and 11 days at 700k as that's what i have here. I have called and openly asked if i am being throttled back and each time i have heard no as the answer.

I just came to the conclusion traffic shaping in my area is compulsory without you even needing to exceed a bandwidth limit.

Badders · 22-02-2009, 23:38

same here bigtoe in SK6. tonight has been particulary poor - just getting better now - up to 8M

Welshchris · 23-02-2009, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joxer

Umm, wait ten minutes before starting the download?
Some more information is definately required, where are you downloding from, how are you downloading, what with, have you tried other places?

That made perfect sense and is entirely possible.

but highter stress on my UBR wouldnt cause the speed to increase hense why it makes no sence.

Milambar · 23-02-2009, 02:16

Good luck in getting them to admit anything like this.

I believe, but can't prove they limit certain protocols 100% of the time (ftp, nntp, bittorrent). When I have used bittorrent, I get a nice speed for x minutes, then it drops like a lead ballon to 80kbps, and stays there with no variation at all. If it was the "nature of bittorrent" you'd expect some variation as seeders come and go.

To be fair to the staff here, even if they work for VM, and know this to be the case, they aren't going to risk their jobs by admitting it publically either. They do their best for us within the constraints they have (if any).

23-02-2009, 08:16

/ Dons tinfoil hat and backs away from thread until some infomation of substance is produced.

moaningmags · 23-02-2009, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milambar

Good luck in getting them to admit anything like this.

I believe, but can't prove they limit certain protocols 100% of the time (ftp, nntp, bittorrent). When I have used bittorrent, I get a nice speed for x minutes, then it drops like a lead ballon to 80kbps, and stays there with no variation at all. If it was the "nature of bittorrent" you'd expect some variation as seeders come and go.

To be fair to the staff here, even if they work for VM, and know this to be the case, they aren't going to risk their jobs by admitting it publically either. They do their best for us within the constraints they have (if any).

I use newsgroups and UTorrent, I download around 35 tv programmes every week, yes sad I know but hey, I get full speed consistently, so that doesn't look like limiting protocols to me.
When I was trained, we were told the worst thing we could do was lie to a customer, iirc it can get you sacked.
Any customer I've seen who has been traffic managed, I've told they are being so, why they were traffic managed, what time it happened and when they will be released from it.
And to be perfectly honest, I resent the implication that I'm a liar.

Milambar · 23-02-2009, 15:05

I merely said it was my belief, which stems from my experiences. Not that it was the truth.

Belief and truth can exist independantly of each other. If you are offended by that, then I apologise.

broadbandking · 23-02-2009, 15:15

There are always good and bad in all walks of life

Stuart · 23-02-2009, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshchris

Im sure Virgin are intentionally limiting download speeds intentionally.

For a few days now ive been doing a few downloads starting at around 25 past 9 and its been really slow around 800k. At around 9:45 if a file is downloading it will stop for about 8 - 10 seconds THEN the download speed jumps from what it was when it stopped around 800k to over 7mb/s and then it will settle at the full 2.2mb/s i should be getting and its done this for a few days in a row and the downloads im downloading are from different websites.

What are you using to do the downloading (which browser or downloader program)?

It could just be the speed indicator being a little inaccurate (as it can be on Internet Explorer for instance).