125M : Vmng300

[hval]

Hmm.

Here's one for you all; does Virgin media intend to make use of Light Peak technology to increase potential network speeds? Or is there any intention of making use of fibre optic from cabinets to inside houses in the future?

I know that some of the fibre optic cables and cabinets are due replacement soon (certainly in Glasgow they are), where many of the cabinets were never installed correctly with poor sealing. Are they going to be replaced, or is ti intended to extend the network life as much as possible (i.e. minimise infrastructure investment)?

[Skie]

The network VM has is capable of significantly faster speeds than they make available now without needing to extend the reach of the fibre.

Unfortunately the network was built on the cheap in a few areas (by NTL and Telewest), so they need to do massive upgrades to even make current products work properly on them, never mind the stuff they "could" do. Capacity is the main issue now.

As for your previous post about VM and customer care, you aren't wrong. Its disgusting that they can treat customers so poorly all the while claiming that they give them the same deal as new customers. When they reduce the price of a package, they rarely reduce it for anyone still on it, only people moving onto it. I actually went from 20meg to 50meg and saved £12 a month.

[hval]

Skie,

I am totally aware of what the NTL network in and around Glasgow is like. I can remember it all being installed, and how appallingly badly the work was carried out. I know how the cabinets were not correctly installed, or sealed as well. I was being diplomatic about VM network. I appear to have more knowledge than Virgin Media as to their woes. They seem to live in a state of denial.

As for customer service. I really, really can not understand Virgin Medias bad attitude to existing customers. They almost seem to deliberately go out of their to antagonise their long term customers. Am I correct in my belief that what is on offer to new customers must also be on offer to existing customers? By law? Everyone knows it is cheaper to maintain customers than to have to get new customers; except, it would appear, Virgin Media.

My biggest suggestion to Virgin Media is to bring their held desk/ call centres back to the UK. My second suggestion would be to treat existing customers as "family" and not take them for granted.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by hval

Am I correct in my belief that what is on offer to new customers must also be on offer to existing customers? By law? Everyone knows it is cheaper to maintain customers than to have to get

Nope, there is no law like that

[hval]

BenMcR,

Wow! That was quick. Are you sure? I shall have to check that one.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by hval

BenMcR,

Wow! That was quick. Are you sure? I shall have to check that one.

This question has been asked many many times before so not a quick answer rather a correct answer.

[hval]

@Masque,

[QUOTE] This question has been asked many many times before so not a quick answer rather a correct answer [QUOTE]

A quick answer; and quite possibly correct. Forgive me if I still take the time to confirm this for myself. It's just there is something niggling in the back of my mind and I seem to remember that there were some cases, in court, that have some relevance.

[kwikbreaks]

I suspect that VM's corporate lawyers have already investigated that thoroughly.

Anyway common sense dictates that if you have a contract with a company other contracts they may enter into has no impact on the one you signed. If you don't like your contract then terminate it - that's your prerogative.

[hval]

Kwikbreaks,

Common sense, should have something to do with it, but in Contract law, common sense doesn't necessarily apply. Also the rights of consumers come in to play. I would agree that if I was still within the specified period (twelve months, or eighteen months) that my contract should apply. There have been, however, a number of court cass where a provision of services has cost two different persons a greatly different sum of money. The new contractee paying significantly less than the old contractee. The utilities organisation provider lost the cases. In this situation Virgin Media may be considered a utilities organisation.

So, in my case for instance, my twelve month contract finished a number of years ago. What rights do I have, once those twelve months were over? That's the interesting part.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by hval

So, in my case for instance, my twelve month contract finished a number of years ago. What rights do I have, once those twelve months were over? That's the interesting part.

You can call in and to try and barter a better deal being out of contract, which does not include the new customer deals as they are basically loss leaders whose sole intention is to hook new customers.

[kwikbreaks]

I've no idea what the true legal position may be but fortunately VM run their company just like a car boot stall. To avoid being ripped off too badly you just need to check the new customer price (after special offers) each year then call retentions and ask them to match it. No need to even threaten leaving as they will do that pretty much on request. Failure to do this may see you paying far more than necessary.

Viable threats to leave will often secure even better deals although as a broadband only customer VM regard me as pretty much the dregs as the CEO made clear in his recent press interview after they lost 36,000 customers in the first half of the year. I found his view of my custom illuminating if not gratifying so most of my comments about them now on various boards take a lot more sceptical and critical line than they used to. Mr. Burkett should bring out a book on how to alienate and lose customers as he seems to be an expert in that.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

It used to cost a lot more. When 50Mbit first came out activation was £50

By the time I got it it was something like minus £130

[hval]

Mr. Burkett really does not give the appearance of being a natural born CEO. But then again he must be doing something right as he is still in a job. Mind you, would you want his job? He has been trying to keep a severely underinvested organisation going. The longer they leave infrastructure investment the more costly it is getting, as may be seen from the past. I am not talking about cost increases alone, but also the legal requirements for roadworks coordination and for HSEQ. I would also tell Virgin Media to resource contractors in house, rather than sub contract. They may think it cheaper, but it isn't. The fixed penalties can be some what heavy for poor reinstatements and the many other things.

I have been researching what people have been able to negotiate from retentions.

For what I currently pay for 10mbs internet, phone, and the most basic TV package others are getting a Tivo, a Virgin Media + HD box, 30 mbs internet and Talk Unlimited.

Alll I want is what I have got at a much reduced price, or even better for me, a faster internet connection, probably 50 mbs, for what I am paying.

[kwikbreaks]

It was infrastructure investment in the past that has left the company with a mountain of debt. I'm not keen on how they operate the business but I do want their broadband product as there is currently no viable alternative for me - faulty BT line that 5 visits from the boys with muddy boots failed to fix so I gave up on it and there is no Infinity option yet if ever.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Zhadnost

We can all admit, the way old modems are left running on the network that should have been replaced is a bit shocking.

What do you expect Virgin to do if they offer an upgrade, give people a web address they can go to to arrange a swap and people don't bother? Break in and swap the modem?