General : Virgin Media New Traffic Management Again

[craigj2k12]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Erm nope

Nice helpful post there

Its a hard system to understand, I completely sympathise with him not getting it

[Qtx]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

It will, IMO, only help for increasing the amount of oversubscription they can push on higher tariffs before lower ones see significant speed losses.

If only we could accuse you of being cynical, but in this case I doubt we can. Squeezing more customers on to the decrement of existing customers seems to be a consistent pattern.

Those that work normal work hours, which is a large percentage of the population, are the ones who are being hit with the traffic management in the evening once home. These customers may have to choose not to download something as that along with their streaming will breach limits.

Lots of other examples but the point is VM customers have to learn/re-learn traffic management tables (if they know about it in the first place) and then make extra effort planning what they do with their connection. What percentage of customers and toxic customers would leave because of this is something VM obviously figures in to such decisions.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by craigj2k12

Nice helpful post there

Its a hard system to understand, I completely sympathise with him not getting it

That's why VM have given examples of how it works here http://my.virginmedia.com/traffic-ma...or-higher.html

[olisun]

This is my last month with VM so I might try and hammer the connection as much as I can... ;-)

[jb66]

if they slow you down at peak times why cant they give you a speed boost when the networks quiet?

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

That's why VM have given examples of how it works here http://my.virginmedia.com/traffic-ma...or-higher.html

I have a lot of respect for you Ben, as I've generally found your posts to be quite helpful. But call me thick here, I don't think the examples given are very clear. It doesn't give any indication as to how much people are actually downloading, just if they stop or not when they hit STM.

The thresholds aren't very clear, is the 2-hour threshold ON TOP OF the 1 hour threshold or cumulative?

If the 1-hour threshold is 5000GB and the 2-hour threshold is 6250, then what happens if I download 10GB in the first hour? Does my STM last 1 hour or two?

I'm really not very clear on this and just looking for an answer, I don't think the examples provided on the site clear that up.

Thanks.

[Kabaal]

As if i didn't already have enough reason to jump ship as soon as BT/Sky let me order fibre, those upstream limits are atrocious and look at the times 4-11pm, pretty much my whole time at home after work before bed. "Give us your money and we'll give you 120/12 broadband, one catch though.. you can only use your upstream for 20 minute bursts or we'll cut the legs from under you".

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by Kushan

Easier said than done and sadly it's not just torrents that use a lot of traffic these days. The rise of services like netflix has meant that plenty of users now download a lot and it seems Virgin is struggling to keep up.

Quite the opposite, despite halving STM and increasing speeds and increasing allowances, average speeds have gone up and peak-time congestion has gone down.

[Qtx]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Quite the opposite, despite halving STM and increasing speeds and increasing allowances, average speeds have gone up and peak-time congestion has gone down.

Virgin were running so hot that congestion couldn't really get any higher than what is was. So saying congestion has gone down may be true, but its still far from perfect. Unlike other isp's who add a load more bandwidth to handle customers, a VM just limit their customers more yet still often have some congestion at peak times.

[kev445]

I must admit, I’m just relieved that they aren’t limiting both the upload and download when you trigger one or the other!

My understanding is that cable broadband is a technology of the past, with Docsis 3 bonding being a partial solution to the problem. I think the issue revolves around the amount of work required to reduce contention in an area, I’m no expert, but it sounds like an incredible labour intensive process, which I would imagine is not cheap!

I’m only with Virgin Broadband as we don’t have FTTC or FTTP. If we had FTTP I would be off like a shot, if we had FTTC I would definitely review my options.

[telfordcable]

Time to recalled Virgin Media to reduced the monthly price or ASA and Ofcom will give virgin Media a slap in the face!

Upload is very HARSH! And Very poor upload except FTTC stay at 19 Meg all day. Not good enough Virgin Media. Shame on you VM!

I can see more VM customers are ready to quit VM to join BT FTTC/FTTPoD.

[Tazz]

Originally Posted by Meekel

Ugh, those upload limits are horrible in comparison to what it was before. Pretty much stops me streaming to Twitch.

This actually forces me to look towards another ISP now..

Same here I am sick of my upload being capped while streaming to twitch... I just signed up for BT Infinity 2

[BenMcr]

Mark has answered some questions about the new policy over on the Community Forum http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...1796996#M20315

But one thing I'd highlight is

Some other background information for you, we're also working on a tool in My Virgin Media to allow you to see your current usage and if you've triggered traffic management, we hope to release this in the next few months.

The new traffic management is pretty crappy but I have to say..........


Considering TVXL is £37 on its own with 1 TiVo, and for the next 12 months I'm only paying £38 for 60Mb TVXL Phoneline (soon to be connected) a VHD and a TiVo......I I'm still a extremely content VM customer.

Virginmedia should just sell everyone the same deal I got for 12 months, I just can't stop smiling when I think about it lol. I don't wish to knock Virginmedia but for service their broadband is a bit lacking. Go in wth a low price an hope people use the phoneline....

[peanut]

So basically if you pay for their premium package and you work all day. Then you will always be 'capped' or 'throttled'. Crazy.