Thread: 50Mb Broadband from VirginMedia

Originally Posted by Messa

I think if traffic management is enforced

Its ntl/blueyonder/virgin - traffic manglement comes as standard

They cant maintain speeds on a 2Mb connection, so the real "buyers" of a 50Mb service will be those compensating for something ...

I still don't see why people need massive broadband packages, for residential use
I have never taken any meter readings just to see what my usage is, but I find my 2Mb connection is remarkbly stable
When I first had TeleWest it was 1Mb and I've not noticed any difference since VM upgraded it last year
Rumour has it that it is to be upgraded again, from 2Mb to 4Mb
However, I may request that I am downgraded instead, back to the basic connection in favour of upgrading my TV package

Virgin Media are always offering attracive integrated packages to remain competitive with BT and mobile phone companies
BT have now started to offer fixed price phone line packages, which previously had a tiered pricing structure, so that no matter how little or much you use for voice calls you pay the same monthly price, although how long that will last is another matter!
Yes you can move your phone line to Virgin Media and never use it

I myself found that between land line and mobile phone calls it was cheaper just to cancel the land line altogether and spend the £5 on mobile phone calls instead

I have a relative that still has a BT account, makes no phone calls, but wants to keep the account active so that they keep the phone number
It's costing £140 a year, which to me is just money down the drain!

50Mb/s sounds impressive when downloading from newgroups or somewhere that can provide continous bandwidth but lets be fair, it is pointless with torrents and similar as there isn't enough upstream on other peers for it to be useful.

None the less you haven't a hope in hell of acheiving this on VM in any case so yet again its marketing spiel only..

Originally Posted by PeteK

50Mb/s sounds impressive when downloading from newgroups or somewhere that can provide continous bandwidth but lets be fair, it is pointless with torrents and similar as there isn't enough upstream on other peers for it to be useful.

I'd dispute that.. when I've torrented in the office before (CentOS DVD's etc) I've routinely maxed out my 100mbit connection.

With literally thousands of people in swarms (tens of thousands in the illicit 0-day swarms) you can easily max out any non-industrial sized connection.

J

Originally Posted by JamieBeeston

I'd dispute that.. when I've torrented in the office before (CentOS DVD's etc) I've routinely maxed out my 100mbit connection.

With literally thousands of people in swarms (tens of thousands in the illicit 0-day swarms) you can easily max out any non-industrial sized connection.

J

Isn't mirror.ac or similar more efficient than a torrent tho? I'm sorry but if we didn't have such stashed locally I would look for an ftp source, not torrents..

Originally Posted by PeteK

Isn't mirror.ac or similar more efficient than a torrent tho? I'm sorry but if we didn't have such stashed locally I would look for an ftp source, not torrents..

they're was a stage during which they took the DVD image off-line and on torrent form only (to save their b/w bills I'm sure)

Either way, I wasnt advocating the use of torrent for downloads, simply rejecting the statement that you cant max out a home DSL line on torrents.

It looks like only existing customers will be offered this initially
As far as I can work out a modem upgrade will be essential
Even my Motorola SB5100 will have to be replaced (maximum 38Mbps)

The upstream is 1.5Mb, increasing to 2.5Mb towards Spring 2009, which seems excellent to me, yet some forums are already full of grumblings that that is too low!

Sadly at £52 per month I won't be upgrading, I don't see any benefit

In what way? You wont be able to host of it

Originally Posted by Messa

its £35 / month if you have a landline too.. so not all bad

That's the XL broadband upgrade promotion (2 for £35)
£35 for first 6 months
£42 per month thereafter
Minimum 12 months

Virgin Media pricing is bonkers!
Take out one service only and it can be more expensive than if you take out two or more

I am still on an old pricing promotion, which is cheaper than the current one, or having them separate
I was about to contact them in early December, then worked out it would cost me an extra £3 per month, so why bother!

Im a fairly new Virgin customer and must say the service has impressed me no end. I have XL 20mbit broadband and can almost always max it out when I need to, ive had not one disconnect or outtage in the first few months ive been with them, and speed has always been absolutely perfect for me in my area.

I won't be upgrading to 50mbit as I really dont need it, the value I got for my 20mbit deal made it worth while, but not the 50mbit for now.