Your impression of VM 50mb please

So after putting up with Sky's connect service for the last few months, I've decided to move.

As we're connected to the Harefield exchange (Sam Knows link) we can only get resold BT ADSL services, but we can get VM 50mb in this area.

I like this package over the 10-20mb ones because although I don't download a huge amount it doesn't have traffic shaping at any time.

Peak time speeds and latency are most important to me, as I want to be able to play online games through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network in the evenings and also watch video through iPlayer, 4od and Sky Player at these times.

Just wondering what the experience at peak times is like on VM 50mb, particularly for gaming as with Sky it's being impossible during peak times; would especially like to hear from anyone in this area as reading on this forum congestion seems to be more about the specific area.

Cost isn't an issue as there would be 2 of us using it and sharing the cost.

Thanks in advance!

None of virgin's package have traffic shaping. They just have speed restrictions when you hit a limit on the 10/20 packages. but that's not ellacoya protocol shaping.

I'm not sure you have anything to lose.

If it performs well, great.

If not, you can cancel the whole thing under the 30 day guarantee (I think... check that, don't take my word for it)

Sorry, yes, I meant traffic management not traffic shaping.

Edited by deleted (Sat 24-Jul-10 23:44:31)

100% happy this end with their service



xbox live never any issues...can have 3pc streaming video for example and xbox live running
all at the same time and there are no issues

as MarkHampshire said,you have a 28 day get out clause if you are not happy with the service vm provide.....

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/help/why-choose...
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if you look in the virgin media forum http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/virgin_cable.html

you will see that depending on what area you stay in,their can be some issues that other users get.

but all in all i'm very happy and look forward to the 100mb roll out later on this year
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Edited by djfunkdup (Sat 24-Jul-10 23:58:01)

Can I ask what kind of area you are in?

I'm hoping there's no congestion around here as I see a lot of Sky dishes and I'm hoping most people have Sky TV and BB like we have done until now.

the area i stay in has been quite Extensively Covered when the cable was first laid...

but it is in a city center location and the cable network here covers both domestic and also Commercial
Premises ..

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/WSDOU

i don't think in 'my' opinion that there are that many users on the vm network in my area..

the cab i am severd by is half the distance of the cable run that serves me..


rough guide.: cab = 60mtres
cable run = 120mtres (i am being very Conservative with my guess of distance it's prob closer)

so i am lucky in the sence that i have the cab on my door step......

Been on 50Mb for a year now, and have been very happy with it. not ever had any problems. I know that is not everybodys experience unfortunately, and it is best to ask around (possibly here) to see if there is anyone else in your local area who can vouch for the service. We didnt really have much choice though - as we are on the outer edge of our BT exchange area the most we would get on adsl would be around 4Mb (not taking into account FTTC).

I know 100Mb and faster upstreams are coming later this year but tbh i dont see much need for faster than 50Mb down, the only reason i could see to upgrade would be if they start to throttle the 50Mb service and leave the fastest service unthrottled as they do now.

I think I've pretty much made up my mind to go for Virgin now.

I also like the extra upload you get vs any ADSL service as I use Jungle Disk to backup files on my PC, and the price is pretty reasonable considering what you get for it.
If more people (who were capable) were willing to pay that for standard internet access it would be a lot easier to upgrade the broadband infrastructure in this country.

I think the VM cab is less than a 2 min walk from my house so hopefully I'll get good service.

I'll post my thoughts once I've ordered and had the service for a week.

Thanks for your advice everyone!

VM is a lottery but sky connect is very poor anyway so I would go for it. The chances are it will be an improvement.