I am trying to decide whether to migrate to
"Unlimited Broadband & Talk (Bundle One)" UKP 19.99

I phoned the sales number - and believe only some of what I was told -
and so I would like to check a few things here with those in the know -
if you would be so kind as to help.

1. Static or Dynamic IP?
2. How much webspace?
3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
4. Can you use a phone escape code to route calls via BT?
5. Does the billing seem accurate?
6. Is there any traffic shaping?
7. Are any ports blocked?
8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?

Any factual information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance to anyone who has the time and goodwill to reply.
--
Chris

Chris wrote:
> I am trying to decide whether to migrate to
> "Unlimited Broadband & Talk (Bundle One)" UKP 19.99
>
> I phoned the sales number - and believe only some of what I was told -
> and so I would like to check a few things here with those in the know -
> if you would be so kind as to help.
>
> 1. Static or Dynamic IP?
dynamic

> 2. How much webspace?
Not sure if its 30mb or 100mb

> 3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
lots, text only service isnt bad binary is and always was crap

> 4. Can you use a phone escape code to route calls via BT?
dunno, I was on cable for the phone, maybe someone else could shed light
on this.

> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?
yes but watch out for itemised billing, non DD and late payment charges

> 6. Is there any traffic shaping
oh indeedy, was one of the reasons I left virgin.

> 7. Are any ports blocked?
there are, but I cant remember off hand, never caused me any problems,
port 119 isnt tho.

> 8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?
www.virgin.net/terms/broadband_tc.html
>
Dont forget to have a look at their fair usage policy!!

--
mart@home

In article <46684321$0$15470$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.c om>, Martin
<nonhere@bin.it> writes
>Chris wrote:
>> I am trying to decide whether to migrate to
>> "Unlimited Broadband & Talk (Bundle One)" UKP 19.99
>> I phoned the sales number - and believe only some of what I was told
>>- and so I would like to check a few things here with those in the
>>know - if you would be so kind as to help.

Thanks for your reply Martin.

>> 1. Static or Dynamic IP?
>dynamic
On the phone they said static - but I prefer dynamic.

>> 2. How much webspace?
>Not sure if its 30mb or 100mb
On the phone they said 10MB.

>> 3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
>lots, text only service isnt bad binary is and always was crap
Which is the nearest meaning for "lots"?
70; 100; 130; 160 thousand?

>> 4. Can you use a phone escape code to route calls via BT?
>dunno, I was on cable for the phone, maybe someone else could shed
>light on this.
Please forgive my imprecise questioning - I am enquiring about their new
ADSL service - not their cable deals. Cable is not available here.

>> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?
>yes but watch out for itemised billing, non DD and late payment charges
DD is fine.

>> 6. Is there any traffic shaping
>oh indeedy, was one of the reasons I left virgin.
What form does this take?

>> 7. Are any ports blocked?
>there are, but I cant remember off hand, never caused me any problems,
>port 119 isnt tho.
Can BitTorrent be used?

>> 8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?
>www.virgin.net/terms/broadband_tc.html
That's an official site, which I have read.
--
Chris

Chris wrote:
> In article <46684321$0$15470$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.c om>, Martin
> <nonhere@bin.it> writes
>> Chris wrote:

>>> 3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
>> lots, text only service isnt bad binary is and always was crap
> Which is the nearest meaning for "lots"?
> 70; 100; 130; 160 thousand?

They carry a large amount of groups, far too many to list, but as I said
binary groups where /are/is almost non existant. retention ? virgin ?
your havin a laugh!
>

>
>>> 6. Is there any traffic shaping
>> oh indeedy, was one of the reasons I left virgin.
> What form does this take?

I may be mistaken if traffic management affects ADSL, I would imagine
the fair use policy would cover all heavy users. maybe some one on ADSL
could clarify this.


>
>>> 7. Are any ports blocked?
>> there are, but I cant remember off hand, never caused me any problems,
>> port 119 isnt tho.
> Can BitTorrent be used?

I used bit torrent and news groups ( via paid for service )with out any
problems.
>
>>> 8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?
>> www.virgin.net/terms/broadband_tc.html
> That's an official site, which I have read.

There is plenty of info on the newsgroups via a search thru google

I would reconsider using virgin media, not all as good as THEY want you
to believe it is.

I posted in uk telecom about having a phone line installed to escape
virgin, thanks to the advise I got I now have a better isp for a bit
less than I was paying for cable and a very low phone bill. If this is
one of virgin's offers for phone and internet, check how long the offer
lasts before you sign on the dot.
--
mart@home

Chris wrote:

> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?

Virgin's billing is a MESS !

Graham

"Eeyore" <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:46687477.1F19FDCF@hotmail.com...
>
>
> Chris wrote:
>
>> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?
>
> Virgin's billing is a MESS !
>
> Graham
>

Item 4

Yes you can route calls via BT and indeed have to when the cps fails but
then have to pay BT for the calls even for the ones to Virgin to try to sort
out the fault. I have so far had it fail twice and on the last one paid
about £5 in call charges.

On Thu, 7 Jun 2007 17:38:09 +0100, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

-5. Does the billing seem accurate?

Check, check and check again.

After negotiating a big discount last month, they started billing me for two
lines. For no reason. It wasn't obvious they were doing this...

A cynic would suggest they obfuscate their bills so much that you give up
checking them and just pay up.


-Rob
robatwork at mail dot com

"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:5WGMNCExRDaGFwkS@[127.0.0.1]...
>I am trying to decide whether to migrate to
> "Unlimited Broadband & Talk (Bundle One)" UKP 19.99
>
> I phoned the sales number - and believe only some of what I was told - and
> so I would like to check a few things here with those in the know - if you
> would be so kind as to help.
>
> 1. Static or Dynamic IP?
> 2. How much webspace?
> 3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
> 4. Can you use a phone escape code to route calls via BT?
> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?
> 6. Is there any traffic shaping?
> 7. Are any ports blocked?
> 8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?
>
> Any factual information will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance to anyone who has the time and goodwill to reply.
> --
> Chris

You phoned a sales line and then want to check those details with people you
don't know? Usually people ask here then speak to a company to confirm the
answer is correct. What if you get different answers? Will you just keep
asking on here?

1. Dynamic
2. no idea
3. more than enough, a few days
4. probably
5. no idea, never been a customer
6. yes, as you were told and as on the web site
7. yes, some are
8. it depends what info you want

Speak to the company, read the terms and conditions on the site and make
sure you know what it is you agree to. Get a friend or relative to read it
for you.

"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:cxZ105FPqEaGFwym@[127.0.0.1]...
> In article <46684321$0$15470$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.c om>, Martin
> <nonhere@bin.it> writes
>>Chris wrote:
>>> I am trying to decide whether to migrate to
>>> "Unlimited Broadband & Talk (Bundle One)" UKP 19.99
>>> I phoned the sales number - and believe only some of what I was told -
>>> and so I would like to check a few things here with those in the know -
>>> if you would be so kind as to help.
>
> Thanks for your reply Martin.
>
>>> 1. Static or Dynamic IP?
>>dynamic
> On the phone they said static - but I prefer dynamic.
>
>>> 2. How much webspace?
>>Not sure if its 30mb or 100mb
> On the phone they said 10MB.
>
>>> 3. How many newsgroups, with what retention?
>>lots, text only service isnt bad binary is and always was crap
> Which is the nearest meaning for "lots"?
> 70; 100; 130; 160 thousand?
>
>>> 4. Can you use a phone escape code to route calls via BT?
>>dunno, I was on cable for the phone, maybe someone else could shed light
>>on this.
> Please forgive my imprecise questioning - I am enquiring about their new
> ADSL service - not their cable deals. Cable is not available here.
>
>>> 5. Does the billing seem accurate?
>>yes but watch out for itemised billing, non DD and late payment charges
> DD is fine.
>
>>> 6. Is there any traffic shaping
>>oh indeedy, was one of the reasons I left virgin.
> What form does this take?
>
>>> 7. Are any ports blocked?
>>there are, but I cant remember off hand, never caused me any problems,
>>port 119 isnt tho.
> Can BitTorrent be used?
>
>>> 8. Are there any unofficial help sites giving useful information?
>>www.virgin.net/terms/broadband_tc.html
> That's an official site, which I have read.
> --
> Chris

If you have all the details, why are you asking here? You sound a bit thick
to me.

"Rob S" <robatworkDeleteTheseFourWords@mail.com> wrote in message
news:466957a7.21051687@giganews.nildram.co.uk...
> On Thu, 7 Jun 2007 17:38:09 +0100, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>
> -5. Does the billing seem accurate?
>
> Check, check and check again.
>
> After negotiating a big discount last month, they started billing me for
> two
> lines. For no reason. It wasn't obvious they were doing this...
>
> A cynic would suggest they obfuscate their bills so much that you give up
> checking them and just pay up.
>
>
> -Rob
> robatwork at mail dot com

NTL used to do that years ago. Another thing companies do is overcharge "by
accident" but refuse to refund the money. They will knock it off the next
bill so it is used as an interest free loan.
Don't be fooled by the Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme. That only applies if
the amount taken from the bank is different to that on the bill. If the
bill is wrong then you have no one to claim from!
You raise more revenue for the company by phoning and trying to get it
sorted.

Companies also do the same with estimated bills, a lot of people just pay up
without submitting a correct reading.