Virgin Media: Wireless

Bouncy_2

I have had broadband from virgin for about 6 years now, as a cable customer, with the same equipment. It has been a wired-only connection which hasn't been a problem

However, now I have some new electronic toys, I would like a wireless network at home. I notice from their website that they do free wireless boxes now for all new customers, which I am not!

If i ring them and ask for a wireless box, how much are they going to want to charge me? I am on their XL broadband, BTW

their website doesn't have this information, and if you click on the link that is supposed to provide this, it instead gives you a link about upgrading your broadband, which I don't want to do!

warehouse

If your current router was to unexpectedly "break", I'm sure they'll replace with a new one.

smileygill

Our ancient cable modem started playing up and they replaced it with a wireless box (think it's known as the "Superhub"). It's rubbish; it falls off the desk because it's so flimsy the cables outweigh it. The problem they blamed on the old one continues, and this one randomly drops the connection. Wifi devices sometimes/I] connect and we can't use our old wifi router alongside it till they upgrade the firmware (we're not allowed to do that). If I'd bought it, I'd have returned it by now. That said, we're on the "L" package and I hear the "XL" customers might get a better box. See what you can find out about that before you make any calls.

spiro

What model cable modem do you have and what broadband speed are you signed up to?

dave_dph

If you just have a cable modem then you can buy any wireless router that is suitable for cable and connect it yourself, you don't need to tell VM.

I have a D-Link 615 from ebay. Initially it had D4 firmware but I upgraded it with generic firmware (dd-wrt) and it works perfectly - never needs re-booting etc. You should be able to get one of these for about £10.

roddydogs

The "Free" box is for new customers only, they want £60 for a £17 router, they also threaten you that if you "Do it yourself" they wont be of any help if you have problems.

spike7451

roddydogs wrote: »

The "Free" box is for new customers only, they want £60 for a £17 router, they also threaten you that if you "Do it yourself" they wont be of any help if you have problems.

Every ISP does that,they can only offer generic advise for non supplied equipment.Reason is it's impossible for an ISP to provide tech support for every modem,router,wireless dongle ect out there.
I've done tech support for Sky & Horange..the advice we give the customer is to contact the manufacturer.If someone rings up Orange & want's to use their BT Homehub..how is the Orange bloke going to troubleshoot it?..They wont have other ISP's kit on their database so where are they going to get the info from??..Not the internet as they'll have the internet access locked so workers cant be on Bebo ect in work time?..
Back to the OP's question,I've also heard the Superhub is pants too.

roddydogs

Yes, but I think the £60 router is just a £17 Netgear with "Virgin" on it, in fact Amazon were advertising it with "Virgin" on!.

superjaggybunnet

smileygill wrote: »

Our ancient cable modem started playing up and they replaced it with a wireless box (think it's known as the "Superhub"). It's rubbish; it falls off the desk because it's so flimsy the cables outweigh it. The problem they blamed on the old one continues, and this one randomly drops the connection. Wifi devices sometimes/I] connect and we can't use our old wifi router alongside it till they upgrade the firmware (we're not allowed to do that). If I'd bought it, I'd have returned it by now. That said, we're on the "L" package and I hear the "XL" customers might get a better box. See what you can find out about that before you make any calls.

My story is similar. I had an old, old modem which started playing up, called them out and they changed it for a 'Superhub' free of charge. Problem over. I am now getting faster download speeds than I ever have before. Can easily connect to wifi with iPhone, HTC Desire and also a netbook.

I have not experienced it falling off because of due to the wiring issue mentioned above.

I am on 10meg package.

Bouncy_2

Rung them

They wanted to charge me £30 - I said "the cheeper option would then be to change my ISP to sky" suddenly it became free. The hub was due to be delivered to my office, but suddenly there was a problem. someone is going to ring me back tonight

norfolk.enchance_2

Bouncy wrote: »

Rung them

They wanted to charge me £30 - I said "the cheeper option would then be to change my ISP to sky" suddenly it became free. The hub was due to be delivered to my office, but suddenly there was a problem. someone is going to ring me back tonight

That is what I did. They came and fitted mine free of charge. Mind you mine wasn't an empty threat. I would have moved if they didn't sort me out.