Virgin pilots 200Mbps broadband

[DaveTaylor]

Virgin Media is piloting broadband speeds of 200Megabit per second (Mbps) for a small group of users in the UK.

Following successful trials in the lab, 100 "lead adopters" in Kent will have access to the high speeds, believed to be among the fastest in the world.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8036086.stm

[Seany]

Wasnt 50mpbs released last month?

[N!ck]

They should get 100Mbps up and running first.

20-25MB/s download is amazing though.

[Stephen!]

Im moving to kent

[Stefy09]

Note to the user titch if he sees this thread and because he lives in kent:

No you do not have 200mbps broadband even though youre thinking about saying you do

Edit by Robbie! (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not troll.

[Jordy]

Do you really need speeds anywhere near that quick for 1080p HDTV streaming?

I can't see it being much use atm as most websites probably don't handle speeds like that, although I would love to experience torrenting at them speeds :P

[omgDAN!]

What the hell's the point though? Virgin Media are the worst ISP for complaining that you've downloaded too much. It irritates me how they offer 'the fastest broadband', get loads of users get letters because they watch too much iPlayer online. And their TV service is poor, so they should get that sorted too.

[Stephen!]

Just think, you will NEED gigabit LAN or Wireless N to use the full potential. No doubt VM will provide this free.

[Flisker]

I live in Kent woo :P But I bet 200MB/s will cost like 100 to 150 pounds.

[Clowgon]

I would love to have 200Mbps but theres no point in paying 100-£150 and you don't really get at least 170-200Mbps.

[N!ck]

Do you really need speeds anywhere near that quick for 1080p HDTV streaming?

I can't see it being much use atm as most websites probably don't handle speeds like that, although I would love to experience torrenting at them speeds :P

50Mbps is fine for streaming uncompressed Blu-ray quality 1080p, but I guess they want it that speed for people who use it for their cable TV and want multiple users on the internet at the same time at high speeds.


Just think, you will NEED gigabit LAN or Wireless N to use the full potential. No doubt VM will provide this free.

Wireless N won't even reach the full potential of it. You just can't reach even near the wireless stream speeds in real life.

[Flisker]

Even if I was given the chance to test it, I wouldn't because I hate VM with a passion.

[Xarea]

Even if I was given the chance to test it, I wouldn't because I hate VM with a passion.

You'd turn down 200mbps because you don't like Virgin? :eusa_eh:

[Flisker]

You'd turn down 200mbps because you don't like Virgin? :eusa_eh:
Yes I would. I'd rather go with a company who I like than going to one I don't like, regardless of the speed.

[Recursion]

You'd turn down 200mbps because you don't like Virgin? :eusa_eh:

I'd rather have an ISP at 8 meg with high download limits than an ISP at 200 meg that has stupidly low usage limits.

[xxMATTGxx]

What the hell's the point though? Virgin Media are the worst ISP for complaining that you've downloaded too much. It irritates me how they offer 'the fastest broadband', get loads of users get letters because they watch too much iPlayer online. And their TV service is poor, so they should get that sorted too.

I been with Virgin Media (well previously Ntl etc) For like 4 years and never been complained about my downloading or anything. We don't have much complaints about them either unless the cable goes messed, but that's nothing to do with my connection. :P I would love to have 50mbps, nevermind 200!

Edit: Plus I don't have a BT line, so not really been with anyone else :[

[MrPinkPanther]

I've been with NTL since around 2000 and I was extremely happy with their service however since they changed to Virgin Media the service has gone down hill....sharply. I rarely get half of what I am promised and once my download speed decreased to 100KBPS despite the fact that I am on the 10MB package. Its actually rediculous.

Unfortuantly my TV etc is with Virgin too so its not so easy to change.

[Implement]

I've also been with NTL (Virgin Media) since, well, forever - never capped my speeds and me and my dad are constantly downloading stuff 24/7.

Never let me down, never gonna' change ISP, if something is not broken why change it?

[Berch]

I've also been with NTL (Virgin Media) since, well, forever - never capped my speeds and me and my dad are constantly downloading stuff 24/7.

Never let me down, never gonna' change ISP, if something is not broken why change it?

Same.

Havn't been with them to long though only on their 20MB's for a couple months and now their 50MB's but havn't been on that for longer than a month yet and havn't had not 1 problem yet. Also download LOADS but I dont get capped anyway cause they aint capping this yet.

[Flisker]

I know this is a little off topic but the only ISP I will go with is Be* when my exchange is LLU enabled.

[Implement]

I'm on 20MB at the moment, 50MB is not available in my area, besides, there is no chance I would be paying the £50 p/month that they are asking for.

[Swinkid]

I suppose, this will be good. I belive, companys are going to stream games if this goes ahead apparently.

[xPrecedent]

Virgin doesn't have stupid download limits, if anything I think it's one of the best.. the limits like 2gb during 4 -9 and 10 - 3 is a bit low, but still 4gb per day is a lot more than some ISP limits such as 50gb p/m. After 9 there is no limits which I thinks good..

[Berch]

Virgin doesn't have stupid download limits, if anything I think it's one of the best.. the limits like 2gb during 4 -9 and 10 - 3 is a bit low, but still 4gb per day is a lot more than some ISP limits such as 50gb p/m. After 9 there is no limits which I thinks good..

Yeah I was never reaching those limits during the day thankfully although I never got capped when downloading them or sometime even over. Although on their 50MB now which so far isn't capped which is immense. Extremely fast downloads. No capping. No monthly limits. I couldn't ask for much more.

[Flisker]

Virgin doesn't have stupid download limits, if anything I think it's one of the best.. the limits like 2gb during 4 -9 and 10 - 3 is a bit low, but still 4gb per day is a lot more than some ISP limits such as 50gb p/m. After 9 there is no limits which I thinks good..
4GB a day is not much to be perfectly honest.

[engaged]

you would be able to download films in a matter of minutes :S
i have 2mb and i download an average 1gb film from vuze in about 1-2 hours
2mb x 100 = 200mb
2 hours / 100 = 1.2 minutes lol :S

[Implement]

that's the whole point lol.

it's immense.

[xPrecedent]

4GB a day is not much to be perfectly honest.

Well over 20 days its 80gb, Skys medium package is 40gb p/m. You have double that in under a month.. it's brilliant imho.

I just do all my downloading after 9.. it's not that hard.

[xxMATTGxx]

4GB a day is not much to be perfectly honest.

Virgin Media don't really clamp you down unless you downloads a silly amount a day or a month.

[Flisker]

I think it was last month I downloaded about 80GB in 1 week and I'm on o2 Access (8MB) and I was not capped or throttled.

[Berch]

I think it was last month I downloaded about 80GB in 1 week.

Who are you and what have you done with Chris? :P

[Christian]

When I was with Virgin it was a nightmare! If I wanted to download a few movies a week then the next week my internet would get 'throttled' to download speeds of 8 kb/s. Now I am BT I can download as much as I want, I downloaded 40GB in one week without being throttled, excellent I say.

[Implement]

hmm. maybe it's cause i'm using a dodgey modem then.

[.z4.]

Just think, you will NEED gigabit LAN or Wireless N to use the full potential. No doubt VM will provide this free.

They already do offer this with there 50 meg package free.

I think the 200 meg will me class upgrade again when it comes :D

Lol

[Flisker]

They already do offer this with there 50 meg package free.

I think the 200 meg will me class upgrade again when it comes :D

Lol
and think how much it would cost?

[Berch]

They already do offer this with there 50 meg package free.

I think the 200 meg will me class upgrade again when it comes :D

Lol

Yeah same. Will be ordering that when it comes out :D

[Robbie]

I'll stick with my 20mb connection from Be for £17 p/m (yes I get 20meg. isn't it grand, much cheaper than Virgin with nicer upload)

And Be are trialling line bonding which will be nice.

:)

[Recursion]

Does your e-penis grow when you buy 200 meg net for the hell of it or something? :S

[Flisker]

Does your e-penis grow when you buy 200 meg net for the hell of it or something? :S
LMAO! That made me LOL! I have to +Rep you for that one! I think Virgin will oversell their network soon and nobody will get anything as it would cost a lot to upgrade.


Also

Brad, I doubt you will get 200MB/s because it WILL cost a lot. I would NEVER pay anymore than 25 - 30 pounds for internet... Not worth paying ridicoulous amounts for internet

[Berch]

Brad, I doubt you will get 200MB/s because it WILL cost a lot. I would NEVER pay anymore than 25 - 30 pounds for internet... Not worth paying ridicoulous amounts for internet

Pfft. Nothing puppy eyes and some black mail cant fix. I will get it wont be coming out soon anyway but whenever it does I will defo get it.

[Flisker]

Pfft. Nothing puppy eyes and some black mail cant fix. I will get it wont be coming out soon anyway but whenever it does I will defo get it.
Brad fgs you don't need it! I mean max you will get out of it in most cases is 80-100mb as some servers will have 100MBit.

[GommeInc]

Sheesh, I thought 50 Mbps was overkill, this just slaughters everything :P The max I'd ever need is probably 10 Mbps or 20 Mbps...

[Flisker]

Sheesh, I thought 50 Mbps was overkill, this just slaughters everything :P The max I'd ever need is probably 10 Mbps or 20 Mbps...
Same to be honest.

[GommeInc]

Same to be honest.
I get 6/7Mbps and only pay for 6 and we're with Orange. My brother torrents God knows what so a bit of extra speed wouldn't hurt, though can't complain :)

[Berch]

Brad fgs you don't need it! I mean max you will get out of it in most cases is 80-100mb as some servers will have 100MBit.

Woman just cause your happy with your 4MB's dont mean I'm happy with my 50MB's. I do need it obviously I wont be bothered at loading a website with a 200MB's connection partly because that's pointless but mostly as you stated SOME websites wont be able to cope. It wont be for that it will be for downloading my films and god knows what else crap I download with Sabnzbd and RapidShare and so on browsing will just be normal and wont bother me much.

[Flisker]

Woman just cause your happy with your 4MB's dont mean I'm happy with my 50MB's. I do need it obviously I wont be bothered at loading a website with a 200MB's connection partly because that's pointless but mostly as you stated SOME websites wont be able to cope. It wont be for that it will be for downloading my films and god knows what else crap I download with Sabnzbd and RapidShare and so on browsing will just be normal and wont bother me much.
Just wait until you move out and pay the broadband bills yourself you wont be trying to get 200MB internet then. You probably wouldnt even be able to afford a place tbh... So I have no idea what Im talking about.

200MB is just too OTT from Virgin, as Ive said before, I cant wait for their network to get congested and watch all these Virgin suck ups to start complaining xD

[Berch]

Defently not OTT for me download with fast internet ftw.

Well I dont plan on moving out soon so guess that's a good job.

[Implement]

all you people hating on virgin are probably just jealous cause you can't afford their 20mb/50mb connection packages.

virgin has never buggered up for me, never been capped, constantly downloading videos and other big files, OS's, you name it, never been capped and hopefully never will.

[Flisker]

all you people hating on virgin are probably just jealous cause you can't afford their 20mb/50mb connection packages.
Or maybe because of the following:

1. not in some peoples areas...

2. They have crap support

3. They will soon oversell their network.

[Implement]

isn't the 20mb package is available throughout the country? :rolleyes:

where's the proof that they have crap support? and tbh every time myself or my dad have had to phone Virgin they've been helpful, so, I don't know who you were talking to.

and yeah, they're gonna spend all that money on developing 50mb-200mb connections but they're gonna' overkill/oversell their network, like they'd let that happen? get into the real world and stop hating on Virgin.

[Recursion]

isn't the 20mb package is available throughout the country? :rolleyes:

Apparently not... :rolleyes:




Postcode check results

Your home is not in a Virgin Media cable area so you can't get our fibre-optic cable services, but you can get our National services.
National services up to 16Mb!

Our National broadband and phone services are available to all. Unlike our cable services, they're delivered down your phone line - in just the same way other companies offer it.

You can get nippy broadband and great value phone packages wherever you live.



We can quite easily afford the 20 meg package, we chose to go with 8 meg (1. Because our line can only handle 6 meg and right now, thats all we need) with BT (we already have our phones with them so why not broadband, afterall i've heard great reviews). I think someone needs to get their head out of their own ass here and to stop thinking that they are better than everyone else.

[Implement]

I think your sir, should read what you just posted then take a good long look in the mirror. Then you will realise how far up your own arse you are.

[Flisker]

isn't the 20mb package is available throughout the country? :rolleyes:

where's the proof that they have crap support? and tbh every time myself or my dad have had to phone Virgin they've been helpful, so, I don't know who you were talking to.

and yeah, they're gonna spend all that money on developing 50mb-200mb connections but they're gonna' overkill/oversell their network, like they'd let that happen? get into the real world and stop hating on Virgin.
No. Virgin Media operates their 20MB on cable and cable is not everywhere.

Here are a few blogs etc with a review on their support:

http://parlezuml.com/blog/?postid=352
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/virgin-media-c61292.html
http://kailashnadh.name/blog/post/index/189/Virgin-broadband--bad-deal
http://www.edugeek.net/forums/bad-experiences/7747-virgin-media-tech-support-idiots.html

Okay they may be old but still support still never changes.

Yea like it's not possible... I'm with o2 on BT Wholesale and they oversold their network and got it congested so before you try and tell me I'm wrong please search for your facts.

[MrPinkPanther]

Firstly I don't really download much, I use the web a lot but not for downloads yet I am constantly throttled. On weekends sometimes it will drop as low as 50kbps, its rediculous. As for Virgins support it isnt awful but its nothing to be proud of, when my Dad phoned them up about something they just passed him through about 10 different people and none of them really knew what they were on about.

I hate virgin media.

[Jack!]

Im on Virgin, Well NTL, and i always have been, im on 10mb, at quite time i might get 15mb, it depends, but it fast enough for me, and i pay £12 a month for my internet, and i download a hell of alot, but i have never been capped or anything

But i am on fibre-optic too :)

[MrPinkPanther]

Even now at lunchtime Im only getting 1.8MBPS and Im downloading nothing. Its hardly 10MBPS is it?
http://www.speedtest.net/result/469816244.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[Flisker]

I'm on o2 , 8MB, BT Wholesale

http://www.speedtest.net/result/469826282.png

As you can see I'm not being throttled or capped and I download quite a lot tbh. This is one reason why Virgin is not a good provider IMO

[xxMATTGxx]

Even now at lunchtime Im only getting 1.8MBPS and Im downloading nothing. Its hardly 10MBPS is it?
http://www.speedtest.net/result/469816244.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Then you seriously have a problem because I'm always getting this on wireless.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/469827495.png


Edit: Can we cut it with the Virgin crap? Not everyone has problems with them anyway. You just need to be a good client xD.

[MrPinkPanther]

We don't have a problem, thats why my Dad phoned them in the first place because our internet was being so slow. We are being capped for overusage despite the fact at most we download 5GB of files in a month.

[xxMATTGxx]

We don't have a problem, thats why my Dad phoned them in the first place because our internet was being so slow. We are being capped for overusage despite the fact at most we download 5GB of files in a month.

Bloody hell. Not trying to sound big headed because this is a fact. I never had a problem with being capped or anything like that.

[GommeInc]

I hate it when people say "people hating on virgin only say that because they can't afford it". Virgin isn't available in all areas and in some areas the support and the service is incredibly lousy, which is why there are alternative companies. Lousy service (slow connection speeds) usually means lousy support, because they know they can't solve any of the problems but will pretend they do, like most companies trying to be helpful.

[Blinger1]

You guys should be lucky! Us australians have **** broadband altogether! We have to spend hundreds of dollars just to get 20 Mb/s on speedtest..

this is mine, we pay about $100 a month!
http://www.speedtest.net/result/469833482.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[Robbie]

Even now at lunchtime Im only getting 1.8MBPS and Im downloading nothing. Its hardly 10MBPS is it?
http://www.speedtest.net/result/469816244.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Get a Virgin Tech on the newsgroups. Power levels are probably messed.

[Berch]

I'm on o2 , 8MB, BT Wholesale

http://www.speedtest.net/result/469826282.png

As you can see I'm not being throttled or capped and I download quite a lot tbh. This is one reason why Virgin is not a good provider IMO

No your not being capped your just not getting the full speed full stop.

I'd rather be with a company where you get the full speed and get capped than with one who dont provide the full speed at all.

--
Anyway. I think this thread should be closed cause it's probably going to turn into a bit of an arguement.

[N!ck]

No your not being capped your just not getting the full speed full stop.

I'd rather be with a company where you get the full speed and get capped than with one who dont provide the full speed at all.

--
Anyway. I think this thread should be closed cause it's probably going to turn into a bit of an arguement.

Be*/O2 are capable of providing the full speed, it's just whether your line is capable of it.

It's also true that your penis size is directly proportional to the square of the amount you tell everyone you download per month.

[Berch]

Be*/O2 are capable of providing the full speed, it's just whether your line is capable of it.

Yeah I was pointing out on his line in particular.



It's also true that your penis size is directly proportional to the square of the amount you tell everyone you download per month.

And erm.. Ok? :P

[Flisker]

No your not being capped your just not getting the full speed full stop.


My line can handle 8MB however my throughput isnt the full speed... It's only 2MB less from full speed but all i can get anyway is 7.1MB so I would rather be with who I am with now than go with Virgin Media who cap anyone who downloads in the top 5%.

[Berch]

My line can handle 8MB however my throughput isnt the full speed... It's only 2MB less from full speed but all i can get anyway is 7.1MB so I would rather be with who I am with now than go with Virgin Media who cap anyone who downloads in the top 5%.

If not getting full speeds is your thing than ok whatever helps you sleep at night.

[Flisker]

If not getting full speeds is your thing than ok whatever helps you sleep at night.
The internet doesn't help me sleep anyway :S nor does my pc... I close my eyes at night and I fall asleep surprisingly.

[Berch]

The internet doesn't help me sleep anyway :S nor does my pc...

Never said they did?

[Chippiewill]

If not getting full speeds is your thing than ok whatever helps you sleep at night.

Never said they did?
Urm.. Goldfish perhaps....


Also fast broadband is only useful if you have alot of people on the network....

[Berch]

Also fast broadband is only useful if you have alot of people on the network....

I only have 3 people on my network.
It's also useful if you download alot and like to download what you need to download fast. But as obviously clear in this thread not everyone agrees with fast internet but nvm.

[Flisker]

If not getting full speeds is your thing than ok whatever helps you sleep at night.


Never said they did?
the top quote says it all. Speed = connection rate to the internet

[Berch]

the top quote says it all. Speed = connection rate to the internet


Exactly. I said if not getting full speeds is your thing than whatever helps you sleep at night.

Never said anything about your internet or PC helping you sleep so try reading the post before replying?

[Chippiewill]

I only have 3 people on my network.
It's also useful if you download alot and like to download what you need to download fast. But as obviously clear in this thread not everyone agrees with fast internet but nvm.

You sir have obviously not read the fine print very clearly, you at the moment will never get 20mbps on one download, the exceptions are:

Speed test - If this was capped it would be stupid
Torrents - This is multiple connections but virgin will cap you anyway so it wont make a difference

It doesn't matter how many downloads you have, unless they run at the same time it is pointless. And a specific download will not be that much faster with a faster connection.

[Berch]

You sir have obviously not read the fine print very clearly, you at the moment will never get 20mbps on one download, the exceptions are:

Speed test - If this was capped it would be stupid
Torrents - This is multiple connections but virgin will cap you anyway so it wont make a difference

It doesn't matter how many downloads you have, unless they run at the same time it is pointless. And a specific download will not be that much faster with a faster connection.

I'm not on 20MB's my friend I'm on 50MB's and I download with the full connection easily downloading at over 6MB/s which is using all of the connection.
So sir you can download at full speed with a faster connection.

Also im not being rude here 00chips so don't think I'm trying to start an arguement or anything.


http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1384/50mbspeed.jpg

[-leestrong-]

200MBPS, wow.. just wow.

[Agnostic Bear]

I'm not on 20MB's my friend I'm on 50MB's and I download with the full connection easily downloading at over 6MB/s which is using all of the connection.
So sir you can download at full speed with a faster connection.

Also im not being rude here 00chips so don't think I'm trying to start an arguement or anything.


http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1384/50mbspeed.jpg

6*1024 = 6144 not 6000.

You'll never get over 6MiB/s with VM until they release something faster.

[Chippiewill]

I'm not on 20MB's my friend I'm on 50MB's and I download with the full connection easily downloading at over 6MB/s which is using all of the connection.
So sir you can download at full speed with a faster connection.

Also im not being rude here 00chips so don't think I'm trying to start an arguement or anything.


http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1384/50mbspeed.jpg

So your not getting 50mbps download then..... not even 20mbps.... so why even have optic fibre at all.... Your not even using the full connection...

At above: He may be thinking in hardware terms, but I agree he shouldnt have used "over"

[N!ck]

So your not getting 50mbps download then..... not even 20mbps.... so why even have optic fibre at all.... Your not even using the full connection...

At above: He may be thinking in hardware terms, but I agree he shouldnt have used "over"

He is getting around 95% throughput of his 50Mbps connection which is great.

[Stephen!]

So your not getting 50mbps download then..... not even 20mbps.... so why even have optic fibre at all.... Your not even using the full connection...

At above: He may be thinking in hardware terms, but I agree he shouldnt have used "over"

You've got it all wrong. It's not 50 Mega BYTES per second it's 50 Mega BITS per second.

50megabits per second is around 6000kb/s.

[Berch]

So your not getting 50mbps download then..... not even 20mbps.... so why even have optic fibre at all.... Your not even using the full connection...

At above: He may be thinking in hardware terms, but I agree he shouldnt have used "over"

I don't think where on the same page here as said on the next page I think your getting Megabits and Megabytes mixed up.


He is getting around 95% throughput of his 50Mbps connection which is great.

At least someone knows what their talking about. Getting 95% I'm only to happy about.


6*1024 = 6144 not 6000.

You'll never get over 6MiB/s with VM until they release something faster.

True. But it's still nice to download at those speeds as I'm sure you know being on the same package. :P

[CleanFilm]

Just think, you will NEED gigabit LAN or Wireless N to use the full potential. No doubt VM will provide this free.

Gigabit lan is easy to reach for wired, wireless no way not yet, N is still 'DRAFT' and not final yet so its still in development.

I mean my motherboard on my pc is quite old and it has 2 x GIGABIT LAN Ports which can be switched on 1 for upload and 1 for download.

New motherboards now also have like 4 x Gigabit lan ports and even up to 6 from what iv'e seen.

This is only if you build the pc yourself ofc, dell won't use motherboards with lan ports up to like 4 or 6 unless its server.

[Recursion]

Gigabit lan is easy to reach for wired, wireless no way not yet, N is still 'DRAFT' and not final yet so its still in development.

I mean my motherboard on my pc is quite old and it has 2 x GIGABIT LAN Ports which can be switched on 1 for upload and 1 for download.

New motherboards now also have like 4 x Gigabit lan ports and even up to 6 from what iv'e seen.

This is only if you build the pc yourself ofc, dell won't use motherboards with lan ports up to like 4 or 6 unless its server.

Apart from server mobos I haven't seen any consumer motherboards with more than 2 LAN ports... :S

[N!ck]

Apart from server mobos I haven't seen any consumer motherboards with more than 2 LAN ports... :S

I've seen one with 4 LAN ports.