BT Infinity VS VM Cable

-Xt)2eM3- · 08-02-2010, 03:15

Hey guys. I know this has been discussed before but I want a frank and honest opinion / comparison between the two products.

I have come here to ask you guys because you are experts in this field and I look forward to reading your replies.

I currently have VM's 10MB broadband. I have never had any problems with VM. Speed is always 10MB...sometimes in the evening it feels a little slow but then it's fine again. Pings are excellent. I am currently paying £19 per month (No phoneline)... and I am out of contract too.

BT's new Infinity service will allow me to receive 23.8Mb download speed & 9.0Mb upload speed...for £25 (unlimited* ... *http://tiny.cc/JXALt)

Now VM don't want to budge when it comes to there pricing. Even though I have been a loyal customer for many years (broadband only) they would rather let me leave then give me a good price. I don't want to pay more than £25 for there 20MB service... but the only deal they give me is £25 for 6 months then full price after that. That's too expensive...

BT's service is £25 (may be with customer loyalty bonus it may be cheaper).. it is faster than VM's 20MB service and cheaper..

I don't understand BT's traffic management policy. unlike VM who state the times of day..BT just say

Quote:

BT continuously monitors network performance and reduces the speed available to very heavy users (typically less than 1 per cent of all customers) during a given month to ensure that the service received by other customers is not impacted through extremely heavy usage by a minority of people.

Customers who are classified as very heavy users will experience significantly reduced speed at peak times (typically 5pm-midnight every day but these times may change depending on the demand on the network) for a period of 30 days, or for as long as very heavy use continues. This applies to customers on all Options. BT Infinity Option 2 allow unlimited downloads and uploads within the monthly rental price, so customers on these products will not be charged for over-use. However, this does not preclude BT from reducing your speed if you are a heavy user in order to protect the experience for the rest of our customers.

I download a lot of 'stuff' from various 'sources' ... so how will I know when to download 'large' files? With VM I know that after 9PM and up until 10AM I can do what I like... but with BT where do I stand?

I am a heavy downloader ... never upload (but it's nice to have a fast upload just in case... we have 3 PC's and 3 laptops and numerous phones connected via WIFI... people are streaming from youtube and iplayer on a regular basis as well as gaming (PC & PS3) ....

From a performance point of view / bang-for-the-buck ... which is better?
Can the 2 services even be compared?
So if it were up to you..what would you choose and why?
What's the main difference between the 2.. (I have a vague idea but would like to hear from you)
Can BT have a consistent connection in terms of speed like VM?

BT Infinity (23.8Mb download speed & 9.0Mb upload speed) OR
Virgin Media Cable 20MB (20Mb download speed & 768k upload speed)

dd11 · 08-02-2010, 09:41

Don't forget to include the line rental for BT, so it is £36 p.m.
I too don't really understand BT's traffic policy.

Ignitionnet · 08-02-2010, 09:48

BT will smack you with the naughty stick if you download as heavily as you imply you do.

Stick with VM, they're too stupid to notice who is actually using heavily and appear to just pick names out of a hat to write to over excess usage with no real pattern, rhyme or reasoning behind it.

Alternatively stick with the current service and simply try purchasing the 'stuff' you download, that way you support the nice people who have made it and can get a warm fuzzy feeling inside along with quality original product.

pip08456 · 08-02-2010, 09:52

You'd also be better off having your phone through VM.

-Xt)2eM3- · 08-02-2010, 10:22

I currently have a Sky Talk contract. I have heard bad things about the VM phone... one of my friends did not have a phone line for over a month while VM tried to 'fix' it.

Hence I was thinking of switching back to BT as they are undercutting Sky at the moment... but I would consider getting a phone line so I can get 20MB VM at a discounted rate.

Has anyone hear not had a good experience with the VM phone line or is it a good service?

===================================

VM phone service is very expensive compared to our Sky Talk plan. The charges for mobile phones & non-geographic number are ridiculous.
Would not dream of changing to VM for my phone unless I want to pay double what I'm paying now.

Example:-

VM XL phone total cost incl. Talk Mobile = £20.45
Sky unlimited (Discounted Mobile rates included) = £16.00

VM mobile phone calling charge = Virgin Mobile, O2, T-Mobile, Orange, Vodafone 11.58p Morning 8.17 Evening
3Mobile 19.74p Morning 14.99p Evening (not sure if connection charge is included?)

Sky mobile phone calling charge = 9.78p (Any network) 5.87p Evening (Any network) + 9p Connection charge

VM 0845 = 10p Connection Fee + 10p per min (Morning and Evening)

Sky 0845 = Local NTS (0845 numbers) -->> 9p Connection Fee + 6p per min (Morning and Evening)

Not to mention the heavily discounted international calling (20 destinations free)... just can't see any value in switching..(may be calling mobiles works out a little cheaper... may be save some money on broadband but my phone bill would be Sky high.

Just wow !

broadbandking · 08-02-2010, 14:16

Why don't you have a look at 50Mb

Sephiroth · 08-02-2010, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadbandking

Why don't you have a look at 50Mb

I was going to suggest that but stopped when I remembered BBings' description of the stunted upstream capacity on 50 megs.

**Kymmy** · 08-02-2010, 14:47

I don;t think you can currently truely compare. Although BT has the better upload I think this is why VM are running thier upload trials. Give it a year and I think you'll find that VM will trump BT

dd11 · 08-02-2010, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Give it a year and I think you'll find that VM will trump BT

I hope something happens sooner

xxxxxx · 08-02-2010, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

I don;t think you can currently truely compare. Although BT has the better upload I think this is why VM are running thier upload trials. Give it a year and I think you'll find that VM will trump BT

If it does take a year for Virgin to get up to standards of a decent upload, then that's pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Callumpy · 08-02-2010, 23:22

I was looking at BT infinity a couple of weeks ago, i like the idea of 10meg upload, but i cant get it anyways

**Kymmy** · 08-02-2010, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxxxx

If it does take a year for Virgin to get up to standards of a decent upload, then that's pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Why pathetic??

So you're suggesting that the roll out a higher speed sooner without full testing and the probably needed updates to cope with the roll-out??

Peter_ · 09-02-2010, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxxxx

If it does take a year for Virgin to get up to standards of a decent upload, then that's pretty pathetic if you ask me.

So you would rather have an untested service now, I think that it is better to wait otherwise the will be multiple threads and posts full of complaints across all broadband forums.

You want a stable upload rather than an untested beta one.

broadbandking · 09-02-2010, 12:32

I am looking forward to see the ISP war flare up and see the price come down and speeds get better, I am willing to wait for a decent upload, really can wait tho

Sirius · 09-02-2010, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxxxx

If it does take a year for Virgin to get up to standards of a decent upload, then that's pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Come on then tell us why and how much you know about VM's network that allows you to make that statement.

I will give you a clue as to what you need to tell us, To be able to make that statement you will have to tell us where the capacity issues are. What equipment they will need to install in the headends and hubsites, How about core issues with the additional strain on that due to all the torrents running 24/7. Will all the modems be capable of increased upload. What about additional costs of traffic on the external routes. Man power to install the additional cpe and to test it.

So go on tell us ?