Virgin Media launches discounted packages with 50GB caps

[ileikcaek]

I'm not opposed to them offering a cheap capped tier but it's the principle of offering 100 or 200Mb/s with such a ridiculously low cap, while saving just £5 over the unlimited package price. it's a complete utter ripoff for anyone who gets it. I could understand a cheap capped 20Mb tier for those who don't need a fast connection.

[techguyone]

Do VM offer a way to view your usage, even if in modem mode?

[BenMcr]

For those on a capped package, there is an option within My Virgin Media to see your usage.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chris

Crivvens, a cap thread. We haven't had one of these in at least a decade.

*Cracks Knuckles in anticipation*

---------- Post added at 11:20 ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 ----------

Originally Posted by mike86

I was just building a custom bundle at http://store.virginmedia.com/build-your-bundle and noticed three new options for broadband:

Up to 50Mbps (50GB) - £25.25/month

Up to 100Mbps (50GB) - £30.25/month

Up to 200Mbps (50GB) - £38.25/month

It seems quite a strange offering, especially as a 200Mb user could burn through 50GB in 35 minutes. 50GB is lower than the UK monthly average, so I wonder who the target market is? Who downloads so little but needs 200Mb?

I can see the advantage for Virgin. They get the users on the higher speeds,which brings the average speed up (which looks good on the books), and these users don't cost as much.

I don't see the advantage for end users though. If you are not a heavy user, you are unlikely to see any practical advantage to a high speed connection. Facebook, twitter, instagram and email are unlikely to be any faster for you.

In fact, with software getting ever larger (particularly games and OS updates), a cap would be even more of a hinderance than it would have ten years ago. Just installing a blockbuster game, such as GTA 5 (65Gig install) or Wolfenstein: The New Order (50 Gig install) would wipe out your monthly cap. Even watching a few programmes and/or films on various on demand services could severely dent your monthly allowance (although Virgin may well exclude these from the cap, as they are actively pushing their use).

In fact, the only real advantage I can think of is bragging rights. So you can say to the neighbours "Pah!, you only have an 80 meg connection? I have a 200 meg connection.".

[mike86]

The three 50GB options have been removed and replaced with an up to 20Mbps (30GB) option.