Beyond a Joke

[CM20 User]

Why do I pay for this service. It's supposed to be the upto 10meg but it's absolutely appalling.

I only get an acceptable level of service after around midnight, NOT ACCEPTABLE

Doesn't matter if I download from Virgins HTTP:// or if I download from Microsoft, I get useless speed at peek time.

Don't give me any excuses, just fix my connection please, you know it's your fault :o:

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 18:46:20 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 3735 ms = 274.2 KB/sec, approx 2259 Kbps, 2.21 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 3956 ms = 258.8 KB/sec, approx 2133 Kbps, 2.08 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 3044 ms = 336.4 KB/sec, approx 2772 Kbps, 2.71 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 7010 ms = 292.2 KB/sec, approx 2408 Kbps, 2.35 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 2393 Kbps, 2.34 Mbps

Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Disabled

Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -9.7 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 38.2 dB


Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 29200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 58.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

I'll PM my MAC address to whydoIneedatech and I'll wait 'til this time next week and if my service is still appalling I'm cancelling as soon as possible.


I understand that my power levels are high but that doesn't explain the fact that my BB speeds are only acceptable outside the hours of 15:30-01:00

Sorry to rant on like this but this has really wee wee'd me off :td:

[Angry@VMedia]

Why do I pay for this service. It's supposed to be the upto 10meg but it's absolutely appalling.

I only get an acceptable level of service after around midnight, NOT ACCEPTABLE

Doesn't matter if I download from Virgins HTTP:// or if I download from Microsoft, I get useless speed at peek time.

Don't give me any excuses, just fix my connection please, you know it's your fault :o:

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 18:46:20 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 3735 ms = 274.2 KB/sec, approx 2259 Kbps, 2.21 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 3956 ms = 258.8 KB/sec, approx 2133 Kbps, 2.08 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 3044 ms = 336.4 KB/sec, approx 2772 Kbps, 2.71 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 7010 ms = 292.2 KB/sec, approx 2408 Kbps, 2.35 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 2393 Kbps, 2.34 Mbps

Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Disabled

Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -9.7 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 38.2 dB


Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 29200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 58.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

I'll PM my MAC address to whydoIneedatech and I'll wait 'til this time next week and if my service is still appalling I'm cancelling as soon as possible.


I understand that my power levels are high but that doesn't explain the fact that my BB speeds are only acceptable outside the hours of 15:30-01:00

Sorry to rant on like this but this has really wee wee'd me off :td:

Well it IS UPTO 10Mb ya know! lol
Sorry, I know this is no help, but that's the reply I got for a good few months before I kicked up a stink about it, then they finally got off their fingers and did something!

By the way, your upstream transmit power level looks slightly 2 high for my liking, I am no expert, but that might just be the problem for your cruddy speeds

[sstainer]

try other speedtest sites see what they return?
ie www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk

[CM20 User]

http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/results.php?t=1215461882&v=4609870

[eth01]

TSM has victimised you.

[CM20 User]

What's TSM? or do you mean STM?

I barely download 1Gb in a week let alone within the hours of STM

[Jelly]

Oversubscription in your area probably. Besides, 1GB a week doesn't really call for high speeds.

[laxity]

Your Downstream Receive Power Level and Upstream transmit Power Level are almost certainly the reason you are getting poor performance. The fact you get varying performance at different times of the day is irrelevant. Call VM and get them to send and engineer to fix your power levels!

[CM20 User]

Oversubscription in your area probably. Besides, 1GB a week doesn't really call for high speeds.

It's probably nearer 3-4 Gb actually but would rarely go above 700-800Mb in a single day.


Anyway here's a Test taken outside of peak time.

http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/results.php?t=1215518758&v=4613334


I've been a customer since the day they laid the cables around 15 years ago, maybe it's time for a change?

---------- Post added at 12:30 ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 ----------

Another one

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 11:27:47 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 1022 ms = 1002 KB/sec, approx 8256 Kbps, 8.06 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1011 ms = 1012.9 KB/sec, approx 8346 Kbps, 8.15 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1372 ms = 746.4 KB/sec, approx 6150 Kbps, 6.01 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2423 ms = 845.2 KB/sec, approx 6964 Kbps, 6.8 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 7429 Kbps, 7.26 Mbps


To repeat this test from the source server click here.

I find this acceptable for an upto 10Mb connection shame I can't use it when I really want to

[xspeedyx]

7mb is more than usable I am not even trying to say that good enough for 20Mb have you rang tech support and sorted out your power levels

[whydoIneedatech]

You could try this below if you are on XP.
TCP Optimiser is actually on the Virginmedia website click on this link and read about it.
http://help2.virginmedia.com/help/ge...anced_optimise
Then the link to the Speedguide site
www.speedguide.net (http://www.speedguide.net).
Or the link direct to the Optimiser.
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You could try this below if you are on Vista
http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=2574

This below is the most accurate and only speed test that Virgin recognize.

Have you tried going to this link to check your speeds http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/
click on blueyondergames>demos>then click on at least 2 large files and run them wait a couple of minutes then write down the transfer rates on the files that are running> times them by 8 and you will get a truer download speed.

[CM20 User]

I'm not trying any of that garbage, it's the network at fault. It's clearly oversubscribed. So much for "upgrades"

An engineer recently told me there's nothing that can be done to sort out my power levels this was after he spend a few moments at the green box that's less than 40 meters away from my house.

Looks like somethings gone wrong somewhere.

6 days 'til cancellaton

[AbyssUnderground]

I'm not trying any of that garbage, it's the network at fault. It's clearly oversubscribed. So much for "upgrades"

An engineer recently told me there's nothing that can be done to sort out my power levels this was after he spend a few moments at the green box that's less than 40 meters away from my house.

Looks like somethings gone wrong somewhere.

6 days 'til cancellaton

Maybe you need a cable repull, it sounds like the cable itself is damaged and needs replacing if he can't do anything at the box.

[eth01]

What's TSM? or do you mean STM?

I barely download 1Gb in a week let alone within the hours of STM

traffic shape management :)

[Angry@VMedia]

traffic shape management :)

Actually I think you will find it's Subscriber Traffic Management :)

[CM20 User]

It'lll just be TM in six days once this subscriber has left.

[ceedee]

I'm not trying any of that garbage, it's the network at fault. It's clearly oversubscribed. So much for "upgrades"

An engineer recently told me there's nothing that can be done to sort out my power levels this was after he spend a few moments at the green box that's less than 40 meters away from my house.

Looks like somethings gone wrong somewhere.

6 days 'til cancellaton

If you're not interested in helpful suggestions or alternative remedies and have made up your mind where the problem lies, why are you bothering to hang around for another week?

Moaning here on CF might be cathartic but nothing will magically change unless you take some action.

For a start, don't rely on web-based speedtests as they're notoriously unreliable -- as has been suggested, try downloading several demo files at the same time from the blueyonder games site.
And copy the results of a traceroute to a popular uk-based website both when your connection speed is okay and when it slows down.
Lastly, if you mention which UBR you connect to (or even the first part of your postcode) somebody might be experiencing similar problems.

If however you're already convinced that VM can't fix the problem and you'll do better with ADSL, I wish you the best of luck.

[CM20 User]

Lastly, if you mention which UBR you connect to (or even the first part of your postcode) somebody might be experiencing similar problems.

I would have though that since these UBRs belong to Virgin Media they would understand that there's a limit to how many people can use them at a time.

cpc3-bsfd2-0-0-custXXX.cmbg.cable.ntl.com Can someone check this UBR at 20:00 this evening please

cpc1 was awful a few days back so I changed to cpc3

Postcode, well the clue's in the username ;)

[whydoIneedatech]

Try the gamefiles site I posted further up this thread as this will give a more accurate picture of your speed.

[CM20 User]

In the past 24 hours I have been very happy with my connection, has a local fault been fixed recently.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions that were made everyone, even if I seemed ungreatful at the time.

Power levels are still the same but my upstream frequency has changed from 29200000 to 22200000 Hz, could this have made all the difference?

Also, does anyone know the difference in "upstream min slot size" sometimes it's 2, sometimes 4.

[whydoIneedatech]

In the past 24 hours I have been very happy with my connection, has a local fault been fixed recently.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions that were made everyone, even if I seemed ungreatful at the time.

Power levels are still the same but my upstream frequency has changed from 29200000 to 22200000 Hz, could this have made all the difference?

Also, does anyone know the difference in "upstream min slot size" sometimes it's 2, sometimes 4.

Your Upstream Frequency "Ranges" up and down the bandwidth trying to lock onto the strongest signal that is why it has changed and it will change again.

[broadbandbug]

Your Upstream Frequency "Ranges" up and down the bandwidth trying to lock onto the strongest signal that is why it has changed and it will change again.

Upstream channels change as part of the CMTS Load Balancing Algorithm, nothing to do with signal strength.
It will balance the number of devices or the utilisation across each of the upstream channels dependant upon how it has been configured.

This is why it is pretty pointless for people to get Tech Support to move them to another upstream as the system will shift them around as it needs anyway.

[CM20 User]

Just had a tech around who changed a 16 year old piece of equipment from the front of our premises.

Now I get better signals :)


Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 41.9 dB

Hopefully all is well.

[sstainer]

Just had a tech around who changed a 16 year old piece of equipment from the front of our premises.

Now I get better signals :)


Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 41.9 dB

Hopefully all is well.

Looks perfect

[pip08456]

In the VM world STM RULES!!!

( I can see the discussion in the boardroom.)
"Lets tell all those heavy users we'll give them the service they need. When we have them we can screw them by putting in STM. The idiots won't even realise that other providers can do a better job because no-one else advertises the Mother of all Broadband!!!!")

Don't like it- change provider then those in the background will benefit as the UBR's will become less subscribed.

Here's an interesting link though

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2008/07/16/business/bt-to-invest-15-bln-in-super-fast-broadband.html&template=/money/feeds/story-template-reuters.html

Makes fun of 50Mbps!!!!(with or without STM?)

[whydoIneedatech]

Just had a tech around who changed a 16 year old piece of equipment from the front of our premises.

Now I get better signals :)


Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 41.9 dB

Hopefully all is well.

That looks a lot better than last time, I hope it all stays rock solid.:)

[CM20 User]

I hope so too, thanks for all the help :D

Here's the upstream values.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 3
Upstream Frequency : 41000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 1280 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 47.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 4

Thanks again.

[whydoIneedatech]

I hope so too, thanks for all the help :D

Here's the upstream values.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 3
Upstream Frequency : 41000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 1280 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 47.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 4

Thanks again.

That looks fine;)

[pip08456]

My mates U/S D/S levels on a 20Mbps connection. He's considering moving too.


Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 2
Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : -3.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 39.2db

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 1
Upstream Frequency : 34000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 61.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

[whydoIneedatech]

My mates U/S D/S levels on a 20Mbps connection. He's considering moving too.


Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 2
Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : -3.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 39.2db

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 1
Upstream Frequency : 34000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 61.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

The upstream power level is very high and requires a Tech to adjust his power level, that is why he is having problems.

Tech Support is open 24/7 on the numbers below.

For help with your TV or Phone and for Broadband Technical Support:

Call Product Support/Faults on 151 from your Virgin Media Phone. It's absolutely free.

Or call 0845 454 1111 from any other phone line.

[watzizname]

Here's an interesting link though

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2008/07/16/business/bt-to-invest-15-bln-in-super-fast-broadband.html&template=/money/feeds/story-template-reuters.html

Makes fun of 50Mbps!!!!(with or without STM?)

Thats not a typo then, 100MBps & not 100Mbps?
Guess i may be giving Buzby a call, soon as its up n running :D