20mb - used to get full speed...

[Logan]

I used to get 2000 KB/s from newsgroup downloads. Now I'm lucky to get over 1000 KB/s.

I'm guessing that I'm being throttled during peak times. Between what times do Virgin throttle? Because I'd like to test the theory and make sure that I'm still getting the 20mb service, and that it is only that I'm being throttled.

I'm in Northampton if its of any reference.

Many thanks

[indie1982]

You should only be effected by the Subscriber Traffic Management system if you download/upload over 3GB of data between 4Pm and 9PM.

If you do get STM'd the throttle is in place for 5 hours.

[Logan]

How does that work then? Because I booted my computer up for the first time today, about 1600. Started a download of 2GB and fastest I'm getting is <1000KB/s.

Shouldn't I only be on STM after downloading 3GB?

If I run the speed test at http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/ I get these results:

http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/results.php?t=1207239375&v=3990337

Download Speed: 12888 kbps (1611 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 564 kbps (70.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

Is that indicative of a 20mb service as opposed to 10mb?

EDIT: Nevermind. It must be the newserver I'm using because when I test my download speed from Virgin's servers i.e. http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/blueyondergames/demos/bfme2demo_english_final.exe I can hit nearly 2000KB/s.

[Richy99]

you have not been throttled at all as if you were then you would not see anything over 5meg

[Rackerz]

I always see 20MB from the Virgin server, regardless of the time of day. I've heard that Virgin throttle whether you've downloaded 3GB or not these days ..

[icestar2]

I downloaded nothing and am throttled everyday between 2 pm and midnight usually. I have no idea why guess theres just to many people subscribed in my area. This is my speed now -

Test 1: 1024K took 2953 ms = 346.8 KB/sec, approx 2858 Kbps, 2.79 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1750 ms = 585.1 KB/sec, approx 4821 Kbps, 4.71 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1469 ms = 697.1 KB/sec, approx 5744 Kbps, 5.61 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 3234 ms = 633.3 KB/sec, approx 5218 Kbps, 5.1 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 4660 Kbps, 4.55 Mbps

1 Minute later -

Test 1: 1024K took 3640 ms = 281.3 KB/sec, approx 2318 Kbps, 2.26 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 3688 ms = 277.7 KB/sec, approx 2288 Kbps, 2.23 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 2515 ms = 407.2 KB/sec, approx 3355 Kbps, 3.28 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 4235 ms = 483.6 KB/sec, approx 3985 Kbps, 3.89 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 2987 Kbps, 2.92 Mbps

[deek72]

I always see 20MB from the Virgin server, regardless of the time of day. I've heard that Virgin throttle whether you've downloaded 3GB or not these days ..

That doesn't make sense does it? Either you DON'T always see 20 MB or Virgin DON'T throttle after 3GB or not. They can't both be true can they?

[chickendippers]

The number of customers on the 20MB service has probably increased whilst capacity has not.

[chrome]

how's this for a 20 meg connection.

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 19:44:49 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 6406 ms = 159.9 KB/sec, approx 1318 Kbps, 1.29 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 3984 ms = 257 KB/sec, approx 2118 Kbps, 2.07 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 4672 ms = 219.2 KB/sec, approx 1806 Kbps, 1.76 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 9453 ms = 216.7 KB/sec, approx 1786 Kbps, 1.74 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1757 Kbps, 1.72 Mbps

it has been like this for a number of days. i've connected the modem straight to my computer. then i downloaded a 10 meg test.iso file.like being back on dial up.

10meg in 1 min 8 secs transfer rate 150KB/Sec

i live in the st1 area in stoke on trent, is anyone else having problems like this.

[ceedee]

If you want to get an accurate idea of your download speeds that VM's Tech Support staff will pay attention to then you'll need to do the following:

Check for broadband problems in your area at http://status2.virginmedia.com/

Disconnect any home networking equipment you have (eg. a router) and only connect directly to the cable modem with a single computer

Close as many applications on your computer as possible, in particular any P2P, streaming or IM programs

Start 2 simultaneous downloads from the VM demo games server (http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/blueyondergames/demos/) plus 2 simultaneous downloads of Zen test files (http://fuller.zen.co.uk/test). That's four file downloads happening at once!

Now add up each of the four download speeds to get your accurate download rate.

While the VM website is very specific about how and when STM (http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/internet/traffic.html) (also called traffic throttling or shaping) operates, it has become apparent that trials are being conducted in several areas (definitely including Preston) using different hours (definitely outside the 4pm-9pm specified hours during previous weekends) and potentially different trigger points.
Because these are 'blind trials', neither Customer Support or Technical Support staff are aware of the areas or limits that have been set but can confirm or deny that you have triggered STM on your connection at that specific time.

Apparently the one thing that you can be sure of is that if you are being STM'd your *upload* will be limited to 128kbps for M (2Mb) and L (4Mb) connections and 192kbps for XL (20Mb) -- if you're uploading any more than that and you are not currently being STM'd.

Hope that helps clear some of the current uncertainty.

[Rackerz]

That doesn't make sense does it? Either you DON'T always see 20 MB or Virgin DON'T throttle after 3GB or not. They can't both be true can they?

Thanks for being a smart ass = fail.

At any time I see 20MB from the Virgin server, everything else is limited. I can prove this for you if you'd like. I'm throttled on a speedtest but can max out from the Virgin servers.

[ceedee]

I'm throttled on a speedtest but can max out from the Virgin servers.

To me that would seem to confirm that many (if not most) speed tests are unreliable when testing 20 Mb connections.

[countbathory]

[QUOTE=chrome;34520368]how's this for a 20 meg connection.

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 19:44:49 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 6406 ms = 159.9 KB/sec, approx 1318 Kbps, 1.29 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 3984 ms = 257 KB/sec, approx 2118 Kbps, 2.07 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 4672 ms = 219.2 KB/sec, approx 1806 Kbps, 1.76 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 9453 ms = 216.7 KB/sec, approx 1786 Kbps, 1.74 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1757 Kbps, 1.72 Mbps
QUOTE]


This is mine on my super fast as a bullet 20mb.

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 22:31:33 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 7899 ms = 129.6 KB/sec, approx 1068 Kbps, 1.04 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 9573 ms = 107 KB/sec, approx 882 Kbps, 0.86 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 9797 ms = 104.5 KB/sec, approx 861 Kbps, 0.84 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 15483 ms = 132.3 KB/sec, approx 1090 Kbps, 1.06 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 975 Kbps, 0.95 Mbps :erm:

its been like this since nov last yr. Ive had 7 engineers out since nov an only in the past week have virgin admitted that my speeds are due to over subscription in my area and they cannot supply me with anything more than 2mb. What gets me is it took them 6months of phone calls an complaints to reach this conclusion an admit it and during that time and currently they are charging me the £37.99 for my connection. :mad:

Virgin are quite simply not able to supply the speeds they advertise on tv to all there customers this could be seen as false advertising, they are also charging some of there customers for services that they cannot supply them which is very much like fraud. :shocked:

On an upside, its nice to come on to this forum an see that we are not alone in getting this pathetic service. ;)

Come back NTL all is forgiven.... hehe :D

[chickendippers]

Come back NTL all is forgiven.... hehe :DThe problem would have undoubtedly been the same if ntl hadn't changed their name to Virgin Media.

[countbathory]

The problem would have undoubtedly been the same if ntl hadn't changed their name to Virgin Media.


Well never know forsure, but asume for a second ntl wouldnt have released 20mb or even trialed the 50mb , instead kept 10mb as the max untill the network could fully support the higher speeds. A 10mb speed all the time without traffic shaping would be much nicer than a 20mb that can only do 2mb or lower with traffic shaping. :D

[benjdr]

My internet is nice in the morning :)
This is using Zens 100MB test file.

DU Meter Stopwatch - #1
Start time 04/04/2008 08:22:01
Stop time 04/04/2008 08:22:45
Elapsed time 44.2 sec

Total of data transferred 104.2 MB
Maximum transfer rate 20.6 Mbps
Average transfer rate 19.8 Mbps

[weesteev]

I find that speedtest site your using to be extremley innacurate at the best of times. It will never report my speed as more than 2.3Mb whereas speetest.net/speedtest.ndo.com will report 19.5Mb and newsgroup downloads peak at 2.3Mbps download.

Speedtests are never really an accurate way of adjudging your speed due to network traffic and limitations with servers at the opposite end of your connection.

Obviously this isnt the case for everyone, I understand some people do have speed issues, but try and provide more evidence of your speed and your setup each time rather than just one speed test each time.

Try the following format...

speedtest.net result (London or Maidenhead servers)
speedtest.ndo.com result
other 3rd party speed test result
newsgroup transfer speed
virginmedia.gamefiles transfer speed
3rd party ftp site transfer speed

If you provide more info then it may help others to identify any speed issues or bottlenecks in your speed!

Just my 2 cents

:)

[chickendippers]

Well never know forsure, but asume for a second ntl wouldnt have released 20mb or even trialed the 50mb , instead kept 10mb as the max untill the network could fully support the higher speeds.
ntl were planning 50Mb before they rebranded: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/783717/ntl_takes_on_rivals_at50mbper_second/?source=r_technology

I find my 20Mb connection runs best in the morning, then from 3pm onwards it gets worse, and picks up again after midnight. Just as I'd expect with any contended service.

[countbathory]

ntl were planning 50Mb before they rebranded: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/783717/ntl_takes_on_rivals_at50mbper_second/?source=r_technology

I find my 20Mb connection runs best in the morning, then from 3pm onwards it gets worse, and picks up again after midnight. Just as I'd expect with any contended service.

I never said Ntl werent planning 50mb at some point in the future, i based what i said on the service speed as it was before the virgin rebrand which was 10mb. Also i used the word "asume" when saying Ntl may not have released the higher speeds. But what they may or may not have done is not the issue, fact is for myself being with this company through all its rebands since its introduction into the uk the broadband service in this area has never been worse.

As for these speeds test sites, depending on who you speak to in virgin or which engineer you get youll be told speedtest.net is no good for cable, or the paul marsden one is no good so it seems everyones an expert and has there own opinons on which is best to use. But it is safe to say the best way to test your speed is by using servers within virgins network. I posted the results from the paul marsden site here as its what most including this site seem to use more than any other but personally i use virgins webspace/news groups and there games site all of which are within there network an should get almost full speed all the time, having said that my issues an results are nothing to do with which test i used or time of day, virgin broadband support and customer service have already confirmed that they cannot provide me with anything more than 2mb anymore yet they continue to charge me the full price for 20mb and i seriously doubt im the only one this is happening too. Anyway im done. so have fun. :)