120M : Virgin Media 150Mb Coming 2014

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

As I've said previously, there is sometimes enough capacity available in areas to support inclusive early upgrades, rather than via a package upgrade.

If you do get an inclusive upgrade early, then this isn't a new contract.

Yeah, that's my point - if there really is spare capacity, Virgin are happy to upgrade people early. It was in reply to Mr K's stance that Virgin are being deceitful to keep existing customers, I don't think that's the case.

[Kabaal]

We walked around our area with the phone out at the weekend out of curiosity to see what everyone was using. Only around 1 in 10 of the routers it was picking up wifi signals from were VM, the majority were BT and Sky. I suppose that explains why we've always had the max speeds over the years and early upgrades to new speeds but i found it quite surprising seeing as FTTC has only been here a matter of months and VM have pretty much always been the only fast BB here.

I guess most people either don't care about "superfast" or prioritize Sky channels over broadband.

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Kabaal

We walked around our area with the phone out at the weekend out of curiosity to see what everyone was using. Only around 1 in 10 of the routers it was picking up wifi signals from were VM, the majority were BT and Sky. I suppose that explains why we've always had the max speeds over the years and early upgrades to new speeds but i found it quite surprising seeing as FTTC has only been here a matter of months and VM have pretty much always been the only fast BB here.

I guess most people either don't care about "superfast" or prioritize Sky channels over broadband.

Or they're mostly using SH1's and their wireless signal isn't getting past the TV the hub was probably installed behind.

[Kabaal]

Originally Posted by Kushan

Or they're mostly using SH1's and their wireless signal isn't getting past the TV the hub was probably installed behind.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Kushan

It was in reply to Mr K's stance that Virgin are being deceitful to keep existing customers, I don't think that's the case.

I think it is.

It's happen's consistently with VM whatever they are rolling out. Big announcement, then months waiting for a date then the date getting pushed back several times usually quickly followed by a price increase. It was the same with the last upgrade and the android TV anywhere app. If you are a new customer or threaten to leave then it's a different story. Its also being used as a lever to get punters to sign up to new contracts to get their 'free' upgrade.

Maybe it makes commercial sense to operate this way, but if you seriously hack off loyal customers it doesn't. How can a date change 4 times ? Once or even twice I could accept. Better to give no date if its really that difficult -there's been no major earthquakes/natural disasters affecting the cable network that I'm aware of.....

What's the betting the title of this thread has to change to "Coming 2015 (possibly)" ?

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Kushan

Yeah, that's my point - if there really is spare capacity, Virgin are happy to upgrade people early

Do you really think when a customer rings up customer service and asks for an upgrade they say "before I upgrade you, let me just check and make sure there is spare capacity on your part of the network"?

[Kabaal]

Originally Posted by ianch99

Do you really think when a customer rings up customer service and asks for an upgrade they say "before I upgrade you, let me just check and make sure there is spare capacity on your part of the network"?

I imagine it's more a case of the system will let them input the code to change the package if there is and it won't if there isn't.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Kabaal

I imagine it's more a case of the system will let them input the code to change the package if there is and it won't if there isn't.

I would be surprised if that is the case. I was upgraded on an over utilised network segment plus I can go online and order broadband as a new customer in my street ...

To implement what you describe would require a database holding capacity metrics for all (VM) postcodes (or whatever area measure they are using) and then cross referencing this with the customer's location.

[qasdfdsaq]

There are already various databases holding lots of different metrics for all postcodes, I don't see the difficulty of adding one extra field...

BT has a similar system that prevents new orders if a particular cab is at capacity...

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Mr K

and the android TV anywhere app.

Both new and existing customers got the Android app at the same time.

Originally Posted by ianch99

Do you really think when a customer rings up customer service and asks for an upgrade they say "before I upgrade you, let me just check and make sure there is spare capacity on your part of the network"?

Yes, for the no other change inclusive upgrade request, there is a check done so that agents know whether it is allowed or not

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

There are already various databases holding lots of different metrics for all postcodes, I don't see the difficulty of adding one extra field...

BT has a similar system that prevents new orders if a particular cab is at capacity...

So you are saying VM has a database that hold capacity metrics at a postcode level?

---------- Post added at 13:37 ---------- Previous post was at 13:30 ----------

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Yes, for the no other change inclusive upgrade request, there is a check done so that agents know whether it is allowed or not

I was allowed to upgrade with no issues .. on a part of the network with capacity problems

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Maybe it makes commercial sense to operate this way, but if you seriously hack off loyal customers it doesn't. How can a date change 4 times ? Once or even twice I could accept. Better to give no date if its really that difficult -there's been no major earthquakes/natural disasters affecting the cable network that I'm aware of.....

You might see the date changing 4 times as VM being misleading, but one could argue that they're being more proactive and upfront about the delays. During the speed doubling, there were similar delays and I remember a lot of people hitting their "due" month and still not being upgraded. At least here, they seem to be updating the table more often. Not ideal, but better than before.

Originally Posted by Mr K

What's the betting the title of this thread has to change to "Coming 2015 (possibly)" ?

Umm. Nill? Because 152Mbit is already here. All new customers can get it. Many existing customers (myself included) already have it. Thread title is fine.

Originally Posted by ianch99

So you are saying VM has a database that hold capacity metrics at a postcode level?

Postcode? Probably not. Node ID (which is a bit more relevant and accurate)? Quite probably.

In fact, I know for a fact that they do have a database like this, quite an extensive one actually, called BADGER (I can't remember what it stands for, but it has lots of lovely graphs and utilisation figures).

I don't know if they've tied that into the customer data system that CS agents use, though. According to the above, they have. Some areas aren't so straightforward though.

Originally Posted by ianch99

I was allowed to upgrade with no issues .. on a part of the network with capacity problems

I can't comment on if this was a mistake, a glitch or what, but I can at least think of a number of reasons why this might have been. Is the capacity downstream or upstream? Upstream on 150 hasn't gone up much so it's possible the D/S capacity is there. Or someone made a mistake.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by Kushan

Or someone made a mistake.

Shock horror.

[Mr K]

Another call to retentions and another computer says no response. Funnily I could have the upgrade if I upgraded to 100MB and recontracted. Strange that -not enough capacity to give me 50MB but enough for 100MB. I rejected their kind offer. Smoke and mirrors and nothing to with capacity and all to do with profits.

[Tricky Trevor]

Originally Posted by denphone

l have just checked My Virgin Media and the date has now slipped for the third time as it now says You can supercharge your speed from up to 120Mb broadband to up to 152Mb between August 2014 and October 2014. We'll contact you when it's ready.

On 'My Virgin Media' it said my upgrade would be January 2015-June 2015. A couple of weeks ago I upgraded to the half price sports and movies offer and when the advisor asked me if there was anything else I asked if she could give me my upgrade as I read online that all area's were upgraded in February and she put me on hold then when she came back told me she has done it for me.

It might be worth a try mate?