Whirlpool

Come on Virgin / Optus this is past being a joke

Give me what I am paying for.

Tower location 5114

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 19/02/2008 @ 04:48 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 70 KB
Test Time: 20.45 secs

Your line speed is 28 kbps (0.03 Mbps).
Your download speed is 4 KB/s (0 MB/s).

mate, you used to be a happy little virgin-mite... I remember you & AFCfan used to be the biggest fan's of VBB@H 'back in the day' when I was having my dramas.

FYI iinet still haven't got naked setup, 4 times now they have problems with my address - just got off the phone then and they are having difficulty with my address having a letter in it. (11B, some companies have Unit B, 11... etc)

Have you signed the petition at all??

Hi yes I was second on the list to sign.

Yes I was very happy to start with, even after suffering my first major problem I was still happy as I knew it was all new and was happy to put up with a few issues as it moved forward.

But to me it started to fall in a heap around the time Optus released their package and its rapidly gotten worse till we now spend a fair amount of time on GRPS each day during peak periods.

This is now the third week of a bearly working servise that is not even running at speeds to qualify as broadband.

The fact that its now slowing that much during heavy use periods is telling me the system is failing apart under the load.

Yet they still continue to push a product that doesnt work as it shopuld more than 6 months after release.

I caught up with another un happy VB customer today that is not happy at all.

I was complaining about the issues I was having and he said is that the Virgin one your talking about.

I said yes

His reply was, thats what I got and its terrible , it bearly works and is slower than my dialup.

I gave him Whirlpools web address and suggedted he come see whats going on.

mate mate mate, yesterday it took emails 3 hours to get to me, this morning i lost connection every 60 secs, ive had a gutsful as well, trust me, its like being in a third world country.

drl writes...

This is now the third week of a bearly working servise that is not even running at speeds to qualify as broadband.

I know how your feel. Virgin must be one of the worst wireless providers around.

The whole system and/or network seemed to fall in a heap since xmas. I was one of the people that talked up the service when it first came out. Now I am telling everyone it's not even worth the free trial.

I could live with the 'searching problem' as this did not happen often. But the problems after xmas with the modem reporting connected when it is not is a pain. Some days I can go with this only once or so per day, others days I'm lucky if I can stay on for 5 minutes. GPRS is looking like a great service and it works most of the time just very slow.

I now have the problem where my modem will totally lock up. The wireless is dropped and none of the buttons work. Removing the SIM does nothing. This has happen about 3 times this week.

I expect my service can't get any worst. If so, I would have no connection at all. There seems to be no point in contacting support these days.

Edit: Speed seems to be OK for me when it works. I have been able to do some downloads OK. The problem is the number of drop outs.

Since the "upgrade" last week speed has gone from fine to crap

Test run on 19/02/2008 @ 06:20 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 70 KB
Test Time: 14.49 secs

Your line speed is 40 kbps (0.04 Mbps).
Your download speed is 5 KB/s (0 MB/s).

Just spent 30 minutes waiting for helpline only to be disconnected!!!OMG!!!

I also on 5114 tower.
Trouble is what is better seen as we can't get ADSL?

suemay writes...

Just spent 30 minutes waiting for helpline only to be disconnected!!!OMG!!!

A good reason to call support from a Virgin mobile if you have one. Another is the reasonable chance at the moment that your call will take over 90mins to be answered at which point VBB@H phone will cut out (a mechanism built in because it uses a mobile phone network).

thedeano writes...

I remember you & AFCfan used to be the biggest fan's of VBB@H 'back in the day' when I was having my dramas.

Still happy here. Unfortunate mix up lately caused me some frustration as I had to deal with support but otherwise still good (touch wood).

And just for the record:

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 19/02/2008 @ 08:30 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 42.87 secs

Your line speed is 571 kbps (0.57 Mbps).
Your download speed is 71 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 19/02/2008 @ 08:41 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 44.83 secs

Your line speed is 546 kbps (0.55 Mbps).
Your download speed is 68 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Finally got on to help after 1 hour 2 mins. Told the Optus upgrade at our 5114 tower still not finished and wait a day or two.
To Virgin's credit i have been credited a month's costs but i would much rather internet access.
Sean (supervisor) claims he will call with whatever news he can muster by 3pm tomorrow.
Who knows but you do get weary of the less than informative help when you finally get through and the fob off that it's an Optus issue as Virgin don't have all the info.
Not getting ADSL sucks!!!!!!

Where are you pls NoChoice?
I always had great access in excdess of 500kbps but sdince this upgrade crap 2 weeks ago have endured 4 days of zero access followed by between 44 up to 138 kbps.

NSW 2117

drl writes...

Come on Virgin / Optus this is past being a joke

I'm only happy between midnight and 4 pm (When I'm home during the day). Other than that the service is intermittently up and down between 5 - midnight. I have a wife who gets pretty annoyed at things that don't work and that she can't fix on her own, so Virgin/Optus, beware of my wife.

I tend to go to the modem, switch it off, wait 10 secs and then turn it on. Usually that helps, otherwise i just wait, have a cuppa and come back.

Cheer up everyone...one day it will be smooth sailing....hopefully.

suemay writes...

Sean (supervisor) claims he will call with whatever news he can muster by 3pm tomorrow.

Hi Suemay, it would be great if you could post your outcome of your call tomorrow, I am a fellow neigbour 5114 with exactly the same issues as yourself.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 19/02/2008 @ 08:45 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 55.59 secs

Your line speed is 88 kbps (0.09 Mbps).
Your download speed is 11 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Can I make the suggestion to ring Optus instead of Virgin to find out about the status of your tower. I did the same when I had problems with my tower and I also have an Optus 3G mobile so I knew the tower was up the creek because both the mobile and modem lost 3G signal.

I waited for 50 mins on Virgin support and gave up and then thought this is crazy, what to do ?, so I rang optus, told a little lie, I'm trying to access the internet with my 3G mobile but I can't get a signal, Is there something wrong with my tower.
Only took 10 mins to get through to Optus and they told me my tower was up the creek and so was 50 others in Qld at the time, quite scary I thought. That was when the big storms went through a few weeks ago.

He couldn't tell me when it would get fixed but at least I knew the tower was buggered and all I could do was wait and also they knew it was buggered and it would eventually get fixed.

Markthespark i have read you entries before and noted your proximity. I will certainly do so when i get home from work approx. 5:30pm My advise would be don't expect too much. Obviously though it will get fixed in time but geez how long???

This is looking like load issue on this tower as the speed has picked from the pathetic performance of earlier.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 20/02/2008 @ 01:19 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 70 KB
Test Time: 2.44 secs

Your line speed is 235 kbps (0.24 Mbps).
Your download speed is 29 KB/s (0.03 MB/s).

Another stagering result

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 20/02/2008 @ 06:34 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 47.78 secs

Your line speed is 102 kbps (0.1 Mbps).
Your download speed is 13 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Hi all and Markthespark,
Well MArk Virgin (Sean was his name) haven't called back yet. I'm just so shocked NOOOOOT!!!!
Service is still crap but have confirmed it is Optus working on the system here locally. Maybe we should swap to Optus.
All I want is some broadband,
Virgin have offered this month for free but the point is i want to pay and get broadband.
Plus they know about the problem but do they email or let you know - NO.
You wait in line for an hour to be told we don't the technical stuff even though you chose technical support LOL.
Who knows maybe Sean (my mate) will call tomorrow else i will have to hop in the fun que for an hour when i get home yeah!

I guess things can get a whole lot worse before they maybe get better with this kinda ping results.

Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1399ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2239ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=3129ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=3349ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=4266ms TTL=246
Request timed out.
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=3493ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=3456ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=3420ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2931ms TTL=246
Request timed out.
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1433ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=289ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=688ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1097ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1829ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1859ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=1927ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2019ms TTL=246
Request timed out.
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2523ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2088ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2159ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2109ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2087ms TTL=246
Request timed out.
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2323ms TTL=246
Reply from 144.135.18.32: bytes=32 time=2229ms TTL=246

Forget online gaming and even VOIP will make you sound like the chimpmunks or worse.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 20/02/2008 @ 08:54 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 170.23 secs

Your line speed is 144 kbps (0.14 Mbps).
Your download speed is 18 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

Is this Broadband or Boredband !!!!

Hi suemay and all

thanks for the update

suemay writes...

Well MArk Virgin (Sean was his name) haven't called back yet. I'm just so shocked NOOOOOT!!!!

When I rang last week Hamish was going to call, still waiting!

Service is still crap

Total agree, here's my speed

All I want is some broadband

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 20/02/2008 @ 08:58 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 58.58 secs

Your line speed is 83 kbps (0.08 Mbps).
Your download speed is 10 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Virgin have offered this month for free but the point is i want to pay and get broadband.

I couldn't resist, I rang VBB on my mobile while travelling home, I was offered $20.00, I don't want to seem ungrateful but this appears to be a fantastic offer edby the CSR, but like you, all I just want is my broadband back.

I was told the same about the towers, so at least the CSR are starting know about the network issues and getting the same message, but I can't understand there is no estmated completion time, just keep calling back......... surely someone knows exactly why they can't get the tower working to capacity.

Hi all

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 20/02/2008 @ 09:01 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 127.64 secs

Your line speed is 192 kbps (0.19 Mbps).
Your download speed is 24 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

Thats mine here at Springfield Lakes Queensland!!
Keep in mind it is showing Sydney time not qld time.

what can one say?

stay safe

Allan (Springfield Lakes Qld 4300)

Edit: it took 2 hits of the disconnect button for me to post this.
Virgin Broadband, perfect one minute, gone the next.

What more can I say

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 21/02/2008 @ 04:24 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 70 KB
Test Time: 20.58 secs

Your line speed is 28 kbps (0.03 Mbps).
Your download speed is 3 KB/s (0 MB/s).

Well today is 3 weeks since we in the 5114 area have had a servise the can be considered Broardband speeds and still no fix in site.

When will they get it fixed

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 23/02/2008 @ 09:32 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 26.25 secs

Your line speed is 186 kbps (0.19 Mbps).
Your download speed is 23 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

drl writes...

Well today is 3 weeks since we in the 5114 area have had a servise the can be considered Broardband speeds and still no fix in site.

When will they get it fixed

here here....

My uploads are better than down load?

Upload Test
Results
You uploaded 1 MB bytes in 28.48 seconds.
kbps: 294.78
KB/s: 36.85
Mbps: 0.29

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 23/02/2008 @ 12:02 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 32.59 secs

Your line speed is 150 kbps (0.15 Mbps).
Your download speed is 19 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

Hi Mark I just sent this attached to the email I never got a reply to.

Robert Just sending this onto you again as I haven’t had a reply to the email I sent to you on the 13th, for your attention and hopefully a solution to these ongoing issues at 5114

Well today is 3 weeks since we in the 5114 area have had a service the can be considered Broadband speeds and still no fix in site.

Looking for answers as to when it will finally be fixed and we will get the servise we are paying for.

Best regards
Darrell (a not so happy camper)

Does this service fall under one which we can complain to the telephone ombudsmen?

I'm ready to escalate it for a refund.

Does this service fall under one which we can complain to the telephone ombudsmen?

I see no reason it would not be covered by the TIO provided you have done all you can to resolve your issues by dealing with VB direct.

Nigel984 writes...

Does this service fall under one which we can complain to the telephone ombudsmen?

It may depend on your complaint. The Department for Consumer Affairs might be more appropriate if your complaint is about the promotion and sale of a product that is not delivered, or failure to comply with the terms of the contract.

drl writes...

Hi Mark I just sent this attached to the email I never got a reply to.

Thanks drl, I have also sent emails on 8/2, 12/2 & 22/2 with similar content and questions, normally Robert does respond but not on these occasions. Not that I expect one person to do everything in the company for this size, but at least delegate it so we can be kept in the loop, the VBB CSR’s whilst polite do not provide any confidence, and that's after waiting over an hour............and while I think of it, I don't think I have heard one CSR say sorry for taking so long to answer.

I wonder how I would go just porting my number back to telstra and keep my broadband with VBB with a different number.... at least this would keep the natives in the house hold happy.

WirelessRules - exact same probems here
suemay - we cant get adsl either, just want VB@H to work

My VB@H problems include:
* extremely poor phone support - 35-50mins on hold on avg
* extremely poor email support – response 1wk or more later or never
* tech support giving completely diff answers/possible solutions to EXACT same problem, but none have worked
* promises new firmware will fix the problems, but release keeps getting postponed (since Nov07), many ppl waiting for same reasons. Still being tested.
* connection drops out frequently & intermittently, during internet use (not periods of inactivity), eg every: 1min - 1.5hrs. Modem says connected & good signal (3/5 bars), console screen says connected & 'good' coverage (85dBm), yet can't access internet at all (eg: page cant be displayed)
* modem locks up intermittently, whereby none of the 3 buttons on top will work, have to pull power plug.
* On 2nd virgin broadband modem now, which has the so called NEW FIRMWARE THAT’S STILL BEING TESTED (not officially released yet) yet problems NOT FIXED as promised.
* Virgin Broadband now suggesting maybe due to area, but i get good coverage & signal quality & am up high, so that confuses them. 2 modems with diff firmware (current & new/beta) do same thing, resetting account didn’t fix, setting to manually connect didn't fix. They don’t know of other solutions, they’re stumped...
* like to stay, coz Telstra crap & we’re part of 3% in region who can't get ADSL coz too far from exchange (at end of loop of cable that services further away who can get it, but we cant), JUST WANT ANSWERS & PROBLEMS FIXED... PLEASE HELP VIRGIN BROADBAND..
* whirlpool.net.au forums show that this is an australian wide problem. Are there ppl out there that are NOT having these problems?
* Also, it took 26days to reach my 2Gb limit (trial mth) yet from Oct 07 to mid Jan08 I used 2.4Gb on aapt dialup, the same type of surfing was done. How can this be?
* There is NO FREE/LOW COST DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE, i rang 1223 three times, assuming it was a free service as Virgin hadn't advised otherwise, yet I got billed $1.50 for 2 & $2 for the other, that's ridiculous.

shell l d writes...

Are there ppl out there that are NOT having these problems?

yep : )

shell l d writes...

* Also, it took 26days to reach my 2Gb limit (trial mth) yet from Oct 07 to mid Jan08 I used 2.4Gb on aapt dialup, the same type of surfing was done. How can this be?

Well it's faster (when it works properly) so you could surf more quicker. Are other people using it (kids etc). Is the wireless secured? Have you checked for viruses etc? Lots of possibilities.

Just me & my hubby using it, using it about same as dialup connection. No viruses, reformatted PC about 2mths ago & have latest virus scanner, firewall, etc.

Not using wireless, it's disabled, using ethernet cable.

shell l d writes...

Also, it took 26days to reach my 2Gb limit (trial mth) yet from Oct 07 to mid Jan08 I used 2.4Gb on aapt dialup, the same type of surfing was done. How can this be

Comparing dial-up usage with broadband usage is utterly meaningless.

True, but there is some kind of wierd accounting happening.

A 100MB download does not equal 100MB quota. More like 140-180MB. Even with TCP overhead... it does not compute.

Then with windows update downloads it seems to be constantly restarting because the connection dies frequently. Eventually the files are downloaded, after using 5x the limit.

One bonus point though:
Because of the slow speed is around 200kbps, when the account is shaped to 128kbps, I dont notice the drop anymore.

shell l d writes...

* extremely poor phone support - 35-50mins on hold on avg
yep

* extremely poor email support – response 1wk or more later or never
Never bothered to try it after my first email last year was answered over a month later with "do you still have a problem or has it gone away on its own?"

* tech support giving completely diff answers/possible solutions to EXACT same problem, but none have worked
yep

* promises new firmware will fix the problems, but release keeps getting postponed (since Nov07), many ppl waiting for same reasons. Still being tested.
Its not ready.

* connection drops out frequently & intermittently
yep

* modem locks up intermittently
yep

* On 2nd virgin broadband modem now
yep

* Virgin Broadband now suggesting maybe due to area,... they’re stumped...
yep

* like to stay, coz Telstra crap & we’re part of 3% in region who can't get ADSL coz too far from exchange
yep

Are there ppl out there that are NOT having these problems?
I'm sure there are. Just not me.

* Also, it took 26days to reach my 2Gb limit (trial mth) yet from Oct 07 to mid Jan08 I used 2.4Gb on aapt dialup, the same type of surfing was done. How can this be?
Same "type" of surfing may have happened, but you're going to visit a lot more web pages in the same time.

* There is NO FREE/LOW COST DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
www.whitepages.com.au Why would you call for directory assistance?

venchelo writes...

Comparing dial-up usage with broadband usage is utterly meaningless.

Not, if as she says, they're doing much the same surfing - usage shouldn't go up if you're doing the same things. Maybe some sites detect your speed and serve you a higher bandwidth version of the site. Of course, when you get broadband you do tend to flick through more pages simply because you can.

redpill writes...

Of course, when you get broadband you do tend to flick through more pages simply because you can.

So much so that when Googling the other day I got the following message:

Google Error
We're sorry...
... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or
spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.

...

Google obviously detected the speed that I was going through the pages and thought nobody could read that quick so blocked me out. I was just skimming through the pages looking for key words.

Repost of edited post above

Hi Mark I got a reply from Robert from todays email, (yesterdays news).

It doesnt tell us much,

He apologised for missing my previous email.

He said issues being experienced in 5114 remains under investigation, and the network team both monitoring the issue and working on a resolution. and still dont have an expected time to resolve the issue, but it remains a high priority to fix.

And will let us know when further information on when the resolution is expected to occur and will provide us with an update.

Windsor 4030

Signal -75dB and having to consule reset …

redpill writes...

usage shouldn't go up if you're doing the same things.

That's highly unlikely. Virgin broadband is a least 10 times faster than dial-up, so there is the potential to download 10 times the amount of data in a given period.

Comparisons between previous usage on a dial-up account and current usage on broadband are not very useful.

venchelo writes...

Comparisons between previous usage on a dial-up account and current usage on broadband are not very useful.

Second that.

I used to live comfortably on 400mb on dial up for 10 years. Only time I went over was when I had to reformat and download windoze updates etc.

Now using ~2GB on VB without trying.

venchelo writes... Comparisons between previous usage on a dial-up account and current usage on broadband are not very useful.

40 meg on dial up

the potential to download 10 times the amount of data in a given period.

BB - DSL and WBB is about 400 to 600 but when the change was made from 256 to 512 usage went up by 50%.

venchelo writes...

Virgin broadband is a least 10 times faster than dial-up

I'm sure drl would beg to disagree on this statement!

venchelo writes...

Virgin broadband is a least 10 times faster than dial-up, so there is the potential to download 10 times the amount of data in a given period.

I agree. But the person who posted earlier said that their surfing was much the same as when they were on dialup. If that's true, then their usage shouldn't go up (theoretically).

redpill writes...

their surfing was much the same as when they were on dialup

Except that is impossible. Unless you just sit there for 15 seconds and shut your eyes every time you load a page, you will be viewing more web pages with broadband.

i like virgin and if i have a bitch i dont ring the 1300 number i call their head office in sydney and usually have resolution within 5 mins

FroodH writes...

I'm sure drl would beg to disagree on this statement!

if drl is like me, 90% of my down load increase is because I have done so many speed test! to see if my broadband is working (and for the record still isn't), I never use to test my speed when I had dial up.

drl writes...

Hi Mark I got a reply from Robert from todays email, (yesterdays news).

It doesnt tell us much,

He apologised for missing my previous email.

thanks drl, at least Robert has acknowledge your email and is still aware that there are still issues with 5114, thank you very much.

'Dodos Cant Fly writes...

Except that is impossible. Unless you just sit there for 15 seconds and shut your eyes every time you load a page, you will be viewing more web pages with broadband.

Nonsense. Another alternative is that you view the same pages in a shorter period of time and spend the time you've saved doing something different like mowing the lawn or watching clouds drift by or cleaning lint out of your belly button. Your model assumes a person will spend a fixed amount of time flicking through web pages regardless.

I'm probably like the other poster who said her surfing hadn't changed much. I check out the articles on a certain group of sites and that's about it. Broadband just makes it faster and less tedious. The fact that my connection is 200% faster doesn't mean I read 200% more than I ever did under dialup - I just read the same amount in less time. I don't think to myself "oh well, that was 15 minutes faster so I'll spend the next 15 minutes looking at stuff that I wouldn't otherwise have looked at".

redpill writes...

The fact that my connection is 200% faster doesn't mean I read 200% more than I ever did under dialup

Of course my example was extreme, but it was used to demonstrate my point.

The fact is that your internet connection is not 200% faster, its 1000% faster. So while you're reading that website, that's more time for more ads to load, you're more likely to click a link on that page you're reading, you're more likely to send a photo by email to a friend or pass on that stupid joke video someone just sent to you. You're more inclined to watch a video that may be on those pages you're viewing, whereas on dial-up you would never have bothered.

Unless you're particularly careful, you cannot help to use more data.

When I was running dialup my usage was running around 1GB for the month, In the months when VB sort of works reliably (Above 256k) I am now using around 2gb.

I had always believed my usage would be somewhere around double upto tripple simply because pages open quicker and you can refresh more often.

I have not changed my surfing habbits, its simply a result of it happening more quickly.

Or it sould be happening quicker.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 25/02/2008 @ 11:07 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 29.06 secs

Your line speed is 168 kbps (0.17 Mbps).
Your download speed is 21 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

ZING

https://www.virginmobile...-home-modem.aspx

"
2GB Allowance & No Additional Usage Charges!
512 kbps Connection Speed
HOME MODEM with Built-in Wi-fi
3G Connect Wirelessly to Our Network
"

Hence everyone is getting 512k???

i can't even play online warcraft..ping request fail frequently...worst between midday - dinner time(2-9pm)

very unstable in the midnite as well. i wish i could get a better broadband service in my area.

I have had better results today than there has been for weeks.

Its getting closer to what we were offered

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 26/02/2008 @ 12:40 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 10.92 secs

Your line speed is 447 kbps (0.45 Mbps).
Your download speed is 56 KB/s (0.05 MB/s).

I used to follow threads on VBB for the first month after it was launched with initial enthusiasm, and even with the hiccups then, Robert and his team were quick to reply to the threads and keep everyone updated.

I was even about to recommend friends and family to get a VBB connection until they abruptly reduced the monthly download limit before getting shaped.

Fast forward 6 months (or so), seeing all the complaint threads with seemingly no action from VBB, is beginning to remind me of my dying days on Veritel Unwired.

Especially with growing competition in the wireless arena, VBB would not be wise to take their subscribers for granted by shafting them with poor service.

well that was short lived after having to reconnect a few times this is what I now have.

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 26/02/2008 @ 02:57 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 91.23 secs

Your line speed is 54 kbps (0.05 Mbps).
Your download speed is 7 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

defined writes...

Fast forward 6 months (or so), seeing all the complaint threads with seemingly no action from VBB, is beginning to remind me of my dying days on Veritel Unwired.

Especially with growing competition in the wireless arena, VBB would not be wise to take their subscribers for granted by shafting them with poor service.

The really galling bit about it all is Virgin continue to advertise as hard as ever despite the network issues...that's really just taking the p*ss out of the multitude of customers whose service is woeful.

How long before Virgin UK realise their name & reputation is being dragged through the mud and rescind their naming rights licence.

Hi,

I am in Carindale, QLD 4152. Noticed that I have been having really slow speed since December, thought it was intermittent, but seems to have been like that for a few months now ... is this just a wait and see what happens thing?

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 26/02/2008 @ 10:14 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 257.8 secs

Your line speed is 95 kbps (0.1 Mbps).
Your download speed is 12 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

DrV writes... is this just a wait and see what happens thing?

Are you a Westnet iiNet or VBB@H User ?

How long before Virgin UK realise their name & reputation is being dragged through the mud and rescind their naming rights licence.

Now that would be interesting, even thou Richard Branson has sold the use of the name I am sure there would have to be be safe gaurds on protecting the name and having to provide a quality of service or aleast a minimun standard.

If not then the Virgin name would no longer be of much value.

Now I will have to do a little research of how to get Richards attention.

Insert very evil thoughts.

I am VBB@H User.

I think you will find that Richard Branson sold his share in Virgin Mobile, but not the name "Virgin". That is used under licence. Perhaps you should send him the petition or at least "cc" it to him!

well its still holing its own with half decent speeds # 4pm Adelaide time

Will interesting what happens @ 6pm and them 8pm

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 27/02/2008 @ 04:38 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 13.64 secs

Your line speed is 358 kbps (0.36 Mbps).
Your download speed is 45 KB/s (0.04 MB/s).

drl writes...

well its still holing its own with half decent speeds # 4pm Adelaide time

I can put up with the speed changes, it's the continuous hitting of the disconnect/reconnect button that is annoying. Everytime I connect I have to continuously reconnect to keep it going. If i'm lucky, I may get 1/2 hr of decent time to surf.

Hope it improves soooooooooooon..................

SA 5125

Mick181 writes... it's the continuous hitting of the disconnect/reconnect button that is annoying.

Try moving everything electrical away from the modem or the modem away …

I have my printer scanner external Hard Drive on 10 meters + of USB cable, the modem is a meter plus away from the Air Con Unit and all is working OK.

As soon as I move the modem near the AC unit back to flakey …

Edit The TV and the TV aerial connect cable which did drape itself among all the cords is gone away as well …

DVS, I don't think electrical interference would make much difference. Trust me, I'm an electronics engineer.

I have my modem up on a window sill only to get better signal, not to avoid interference. It's been there for months and my connections were fine, lasting several hours at a time. In the last 3 weeks, since the "upgrade" of towers in northern suburbs of Adelaide, I've been lucky to get a connection that lasts several minutes!

David Vincent Smith ? writes...

Try moving everything electrical away from the modem or the modem away …

Thx DVS, but I have tried this.
Although how far is far enough away?

Everytime for the first connect it's hit the button, then this continues for ever, every 5-10min or so.
I never had this problem pre Xmas. Seems to be getting worse, not better.

On second modem with no improvement. Phone even cuts out unexpectedly, although they have just refreshed my service so I am monitoring it.

Any other thoughts?

Mick181 writes...

I can put up with the speed changes, it's the continuous hitting of the disconnect/reconnect button that is annoying. Everytime I connect I have to continuously reconnect to keep it going. If i'm lucky, I may get 1/2 hr of decent time to surf.

Hope it improves soooooooooooon..................

SA 5125

I'm in the same boat. 1/2hr of connection time would be the average. I have had enough, looking at a different provider now.

SA 5159. Virgin is stuffed.

Mick181 writes...

I never had this problem pre Xmas. Seems to be getting worse, not better.


Second That. I would love to go back to pre-xmas.

Wireless Rules writes...

Second That. I would love to go back to pre-xmas.

I also find it amasing that since Xmas there has been little or no activity from the Virgin Reps on this site as there was prior to Xmas. It was good to get some direction once and a while as the phone and email support is crap. Have they been told not to get involved with WP?

FroodH writes... Trust me, I'm an electronics engineer.

I am not but … I was talking to someone who was using a Telstra USB modem and the connection improved but moving it away from electrical stuff.

The TV Set Top Box Printer and Scanner Hard Drive are all on one side of the room, say 6 or so meters.

The TV aerial was moved away as well. This was sort of intertwined with the cables going to the computer.

If the modem is within 300 mm of the AC unit there is issues. If I move it to a meter plus, down two shelves, stable steady as bush rock …

Hey Mick,

I too am in SA 5125 and have the same issue, though my connection lasts about 5 minutes on average. I spent an hour on hold over the weekend to have my connection "reset" by someone who didnt sound like the could assemble a kinder surprise toy let alone resolve a complex technical issue. Needless to say 10 mintues after I had hung up from speaking to them my connection was down again. I havent been able to pinpoint anything causing the problem though it did start occuring soon after I upgraded the firmware on the wireless device.

I read in aother thread that a new firmware is in development but I can only guess at when it might become avaialble, and what new issues will come with it. Oh look, my connection has dissapeared again (Outlook is quite dilligent at reporting its lost connection to the server, I got a whole 8 minutes this time)

Performance for me is quite dismal also:

Test run on 28/02/2008 @ 12:02 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 89.64 secs

Your line speed is 273 kbps (0.27 Mbps).
Your download speed is 34 KB/s (0.03 MB/s).

By late last night my speeds were down to around 20kbps and I was not going to post here for fear of being banned for what I wanted to say about this pathetic excuse of a service

Virgin you suck

drl writes...

Virgin you suck

:) Glad you restrained yourself drl. :)

I can surely understand your frustration.... I get a teeny bit of it myself... and yet mine sorta works mostish of the time.

Tony_SA writes...

I too am in SA 5125 and have the same issue

Tony, do you have any issues with the phone?

I get cut off with a meesage "all lines are busy, please call back later".

I must admit, 1/2 hour uptime is on a good day, most is as you say, every 10 min.

Mick181 writes...

I get cut off with a meesage "all lines are busy, please call back later".

We get that too but we are assured that there is no congestion. Our phone service has been nicknamed the Mr Bean phone due to the continual drop-outs.

David Vincent Smith ? writes...

I am not but …

When I move mine right next to the power board (where I usually have it) the connection is best.... go figure.

I tend to believe the electronics engineer who knows the science...

Ratri writes... who knows

Whatever works !

I went to ring mum before and it rang three times with no success.
First time it did ring properly but she was outside and it rang out.
So I rang again after 5 rings it just disconnected.
The third time I rang it said the mobile phone is turned off or something like that.

Had to ring her on the mobile in the end.

I wonder how many of us are actually missing calls that we don't even know about.
On the upside must be a telemarketers worst nightmare. :-P

Toongy writes...

I wonder how many of us are actually missing calls that we don't even know about.

I can advise that I have missed quite a few calls. People have rang back at a later time only to find we have been home all day, but the phone hasn't rang??

Have now disabled all call diverts and are using my own answering machine. System has been refreshed and are now hoping for the best. I instructed friends to call our mobiles if no home answer.

EDIT: They are not Virgin mobiles...............

I reckon this is another Trade Practices Act breach.
How can they sell it as a home phone replacement when the dam thing doesn't even work properly.

Mick181 writes...

Tony, do you have any issues with the phone?

Its funny you should ask, I thought I would have another go at calling the Service (?) desk to complain, but I cant dial out!! I sent a Snot-O-Gram to Virgin by email yesterday outlining my displeasure, and I'm about to send paper snail mail copies to any CEO/Exec in Virgin who's names I can find.

Basically I've had enough and am not going to take it any more!

Do what I did, I filed a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman today after countless emails and trying their 1300 number. Get this part but, I rang virgin using the modem to cancel my broadband, he took all my details and said he'd send a courier bag in the mail for the modem to be returned, Then he asked me to hold for a second whilst he checks some details on my account.and you guessed it, the idiot terminated the service whilst he had me on hold.

I also got a mobile phone package which they can take back, basically I filled out their form to port my old number and it didn't work, its been two weeks and I still can't get a straight answer, no that's wrong I can't get any answer full stop.

Oh and it's been 5 days since they were going to send the courier bag...

Al-koholik writes...

Do what I did, I filed a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman today after countless emails and trying their 1300 number.

Was it easy to get out of the contract ?
Or did you pay them out ?

I know there are quite a few people that would like to get out of their contracts and any input you could give , I'm sure they would be very grateful.

I reckon Virgin must be starting to let people go, There has to be a number of people not on whirlpool that would have lodge complaints to the TIO.

If you are truly getting sub-megabit/unsatisfactory speeds via 3G service then let others know. I have established a thread for such a purpose -

forum-replies.cfm?t=928076

-- if your speeds are Good/Bad, either way your vote will be RECORDED.

hahaha you should try flying with them and have a plane leave on time

joo writes...

hahaha you should try flying with them and have a plane leave on time

I'm a frequent flyer and can't say I have any problems flying with Virgin and their crew are much more pleasant on the eyes than the qantas crew. :-P

Might be just your location, I find Sydney is always delayed no matter who you fly with and second worse is Melbourne.

BTW. Virgin Broadband is owned by Optus and not by Virgin. Sir Richard wouldn't let things get as bad as this I'm sure.

joo writes...

hahaha you should try flying with them and have a plane leave on time

Good Grief.

Different company.

Wake up.

Toongy..

LOL, I cant argue with you on that point and have to admit once on board it is a good flight.

My flights have not been good from anywhere could just be bad timing?

BTW (Virgin/Optus). That would explain the current situation thanks for the info.

Must be a quiet night

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 01/03/2008 @ 11:56 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 11.67 secs

Your line speed is 418 kbps (0.42 Mbps).
Your download speed is 52 KB/s (0.05 MB/s).

I feel sorry for you drl:

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 02/03/2008 @ 12:03 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 38.43 secs

Your line speed is 637 kbps (0.64 Mbps).
Your download speed is 80 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

AFCfan writes...

I feel sorry for you drl:

what about me?

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------­
Test run on 02/03/2008 @ 12:09 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 18.31 secs

Your line speed is 267 kbps (0.27 Mbps).
Your download speed is 33 KB/s (0.03 MB/s).

You're all getting jipped as far as I am concerned ....

2040 Kbps/282 Kbps
www.speedtest.net/result/239925442.png

hibernator writes...

You're all getting jipped as far as I am concerned ....

I don't need faster speeds than I get and am happy with $55 - $65 per month for phone and internet but to each their own and enjoy your blistering speeds :)

Hardly 'blistering', but I do anticipate more sites such as these

www.vimeo.com/hd and www.dailymotion.com/hd

will utilize a 2 Mbps stream and those at dial-up will, well, not
get those feeds.

hibernator writes...

will utilize a 2 Mbps stream and those at dial-up will, well, not
get those feeds.

And use up your 2GB quota in under 3 hours?

cyberknutt writes...

And use up your 2GB quota in under 3 hours?

For $65/mo nowadays you'd be on a 5GB+ plan (& mVoIP) which in Vimeo hours (@1.6Mbps) would equal about 7 Hours of Hi-Def video streaming. Good for those who have enough bandwidth.