Whirlpool

I was at my grandparents earlier today and was looking through the catalogues out of boredom when I came across a VBB@H ad in what looked like one of those yellow envelope booklets.

http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ccf0211200800000gd3.jpg

It seems the 4GB plan for $60 is back, however there is no mention of this on virginbroadband.com.au.

The plan does however vary from the orginal $60 home plan

-4GB includes both uploads and downloads.
- After 5GB usage the internet service cuts out, with the option to buy additional 'top up' data. Only 3 top ups may be purchased in one month.
-The plan is only available with both direct debit and ebilling active.
-The phone and internet is subject to acceptable use policies.

I wonder if this ad is for real or just a mistake. We'll have to wait and see.

edit: the offer also doesn't seem to include free calls to virgin mobiles anymore.

not available yet

da_champ writes...

I wonder if this ad is for real or just a mistake. We'll have to wait and see.

It looks like a serious attempt to limit abuse of the system.

cyberknutt writes...

It looks like a serious attempt to limit abuse of the system.

may as well just call it VBB@H prepaid cause that is what it is pretty much going to be.

da_champ writes...

may as well just call it VBB@H prepaid cause that is what it is pretty much going to be.

With a minimum monthly spend :)

Dancing Bear writes...

With a minimum monthly spend :)

...and a 24 month contract :)

awanger writes...

not available yet

Do you know when it will be?

Pity about no free calls to Virgin Mobiles. Opportunity to top up sounds good except for the impact it could have on the network which could be significant.

AFCfan writes...

Opportunity to top up sounds good except for the impact it could have on the network which could be significant.

The 5GB cut off has been done to reduce the impact on the network. After that you have to 'top up.' There is no mention of the top up prices or quotas in the ad.

To have a guess I reckon the top ups will be 1GB. After the maximum three top ups that would bring your usage to 8GB.

I have an inkling that they wont be cheap though. I reckon an extra gig will set you back $15.

After 5GB usage the internet service cuts out, with the option to buy additional 'top up' data.

That is the anti leech strategy which will not affect anyone who is a light user.

Would be nice to be shaped at 128 instead of 64, and in view of their speed increases to allow better tower use, this will be in line with that. Of course no gain no pain.

Blocking the service is probably the only way, that Virgin can manage the leeching hammering the network.

Blue Sky Gazing On

Most likely this will be the plan on offer and anyone who steps out of line, on the old double step shaping plans, will be offered the plan, on a take it or leave it basis.

Those on the 2gig and 4gig plans will be offered a side grade, plus a few bucks off the first months bill to incentivate them.

Blue Sky Gazing Off

Cheers Dave

Edit

No sign of plan yet on the web ?

http://www.virginbroadband.com.au/wirelessbroadband/

Edit II

Rang up the 1300 number, sales staff checked for availability and phone prompted for postcode. Sales Rep believed that …

the plan was on website
that calls to Virgin Mobiles were free ??!!

and was focused on filling in the squares on the computer screen rather than answering my questions but …

Nice bit of contradictory information … so far so not good …

Dave Lister writes...

Nice bit of contradictory information … so far so not good …

Virgin has to be the biggest screw up ever. I understand that they are having network congestion and are trying to limit the use of the network, but it is ridiculous for a post paid service to just cut out......that is what prepaid is for!

Can't say I know of any other wireless or fixed post paid service to just stop working once you use the quota.

edit

Dave Lister writes...

["the plan was on website]

should have asked for a link or where it is on the site.

I suppose in a way this had to happen.

There was nothing stopping someone signing up leeching
25 gig or so out of the system, phoning everyone is Australia
then ditching the plan on day 28 or 29 after wrecking havoc
on the network

I may be showing my ignorance here but have uploads always been counted? The advert posted above says that your 4Gb includes uploads and downloads.

SpiderHibs writes...

may be showing my ignorance here but have uploads always been counted?

No, this is a feature of the new plan. It is the first time Uploads are being counted on VBB@H.

Also for those interested, i found the ad in a money saver booklet. They have a website www.moneysaver.com.au. It is definately coming out soon, as the book also contains 3 mobile offers which expire on 30/11/08/

What does this mean for existing people? Does anyone know

da_champ writes...

I understand that they are having network congestion and are trying to limit the use of the network, but it is ridiculous for a post paid service to just cut out......that is what prepaid is for!

Well they were the first to introduce throttling on a wireless service, so its not as if they aren't innovators. The other option would be to charge excess usage like the other providers do. This is a differentiated and yet clever way to do it. If you dont like it, dont buy it.

Of course you can always also use the Telstra way of controlling congestion – charge an arm and a leg.

r1man writes...

What does this mean for existing people? Does anyone know

Contractually it will mean nothing, unless they are willing to offer you a way out of the contract as well. You may be allowed to switch voluntarily (since it still offers more data at full speed than the current $60 plan), but they cant 'force' you.

introduce throttling on a wireless service

Plan A … shaping

option would be to charge excess usage

Plan B … excess charges

or dogchaining the service

Plan C … stops working

Perhaps a Virgin Rep can shed some light on what the changes will be, and when they will take place?

Dave Lister writes...

Plan A … shaping

Plan C … stops working

Well actually its A + C now, since it still throttles for a full gig before cutting off. And even then you will be able to purchase 'top-ups' if you need to use the service urgently.

In the beginning .................. August 2007 to November 2007 the customers were allowed 4gb. Then from November it was reduced to 2gb. If 4gb is being introduced, shouldn't the 2gb customers automatically be upgraded to 4gb? This is getting very complicated for me. One thing, Virgin is not a boring company!!

Gladly writes...

If 4gb is being introduced, shouldn't the 2gb customers automatically be upgraded to 4gb?

The 2Gb plan is download only, and includes free calls to Virgin mobiles.

The new 4Gb plan is down + up (which still may work out to more if you dont upload much), and we are uncertain on the mobile calls. So is it really an 'upgrade'?

I suspect it will all become much clearer once it is on the website, as opposed to an add out of a catalogue that seems to be the very first to be printed.

Getting a bit complicated for me. Speeds are back to normal S-L-O-W.

Nothing in the brochure about 512 k speed average, actually
nothing at all, except when shaping happens

So does the New Plan with the 4 gig limit to shaping
and 5gig hardwall, serve up the net
at 1Mps plus ?

da_champ writes...

I have an inkling that they wont be cheap though. I reckon an extra gig will set you back $15.

More likely 500MB for $15 – the same as prepaid broadband.

This is plan number 4

1 Launch $60 for 4 gig 128 shaping
2 & 3 $60 for 2 and $70 for 4 shaping @ 64
4 $60 for 4 gig with a hard 5 gig limit minus Free Calls to V Mobiles
No information about shaping speed.

Shaping speed is in a way not all that critical and could be 128 or 256
without affecting the plan's operation …

Previously, shaped users had their speed reduced to 64Kbps…if the user goes more than 2GB over while shaped, they will be charged $6/GB … Exetel says this is to stop "abuse" by a small number of customers.

Source Phil Sweeney WP News …

Industry Standard Coming Up …

if they wish to select Exetel's unique restricted speed option. This option will slow the user's access for the remainder of that calendar month for 2GB of additional downloads, providing a buffer to allow you to freely access your email and web browse and do minor downloads. It is not intended for any user to abuse this option by continuing to use their ‘restricted’ service to download as much as they can

More from the Exetel Page on WP …

anyone still reckon this is going to happen?

da_champ writes...

anyone still reckon this is going to happen

yes I still think it will happen.

advertising is in circulation

http://www.virginbroadband.com.au/wirelessbroadband/broadband-at-home.aspx

Nothing on the web site as best I am able to find …