virgin broadband 40gb limit

manutd_2

virgin is unlimited, just got this off Virgin Media's non-cable Broadband Service T&C page.

"Fair Usage Policy: Whilst there are no specific monthly usage allowances on the Broadband Service, your Service remains subject to our Acceptable Use Policy set out in Section F."

After a quick read through Section F it mainly covers illegal activities.

Here is the site
http://www.virgin.net/terms/broadband_tc.html

dringo

i got a letter from virgin a couple of weeks ago telling me i had downloaded too much and i had to keep my downloading under 40gb, so it is not unlimited.

karmapolice_2

Just to clarify and avoid confusion- the 40GB limit refers to non-cable customers(ex-Virgin.net), on cable(ex-NTL/Telewest) it's unlimited, albeit with an acceptable usage policy- but I would have thought that only really effects people who download lots of video/audio/software.

marleyboy

Unless otherwise stated by the company, this is all scaremongering, for all existing and new customers, there is no 40gig cap. Feel free to phone them and question it yourselves, just dont listen to those whom are either making assumptions, or it up! If it states (as it does) UNLIMITED that means its UNLIMITED.

lipidicman

marleyboy wrote:

Unless otherwise stated by the company, this is all scaremongering, for all existing and new customers, there is no 40gig cap. Feel free to phone them and question it yourselves, just dont listen to those whom are either making assumptions, or it up! If it states (as it does) UNLIMITED that means its UNLIMITED.

Scaremongering? Oh really
When UNLIMITED does not mean UNLIMITED. When it is used by Virgin

http://www.virgin.net/allyours/faqs/broadband_faqs.html#allow

What are the allowances on Virgin Broadband?

Unlimited Downloads
Virgin Broadband offers unlimited usage on all our broadband packages, which is great if you like to download music and movies or just don't want to worry about monthly allowances or caps. However, if you download a lot, you need to know that we operate an Acceptable Use Policy where we'll contact you if your usage begins to affect the service for other customers.

but wait?

What is the Acceptable Use Policy? For the vast majority of customers, our Unlimited Broadband service provides all the bandwidth a UK household needs and lets you surf all day and night and download hours and hours of music tracks and videos. However, we do operate an Acceptable Use Policy on Virgin Broadband. This is in place to prevent a very small number of customers downloading huge amounts of data which can affect the enjoyment of the service for others. The Acceptable Use Policy means that the service may not be suitable for businesses or those regularly using file sharing applications. Just as a guideline, if you download more than around 40 Gigabytes (GB), we'll post you a letter and send an email to ask you to reduce your usage. If, over time, your usage doesn't fall within this level, we'll call you and chat through our options which may, in extreme circumstances, including suspending or disconnecting your service. For all the nitty gritty on our Acceptable Use Policy, please see our Terms and Conditions.

kondormid

its for non cabled... it says at the top
http://www.virgin.net/allyours/faqs/broadband_faqs.html#usagepolicy

The cable one is here...
http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/legal/oncable/acceptableuse.html

marleyboy

as stated above, those terms are for non cable customers the first clue is in the big heading "Your Guide to our Non Cable Service". Suggest you read it again, only start from the top.

marleyboy

you are all free to beleive what you want, ive gone to the trouble of phoning them to find out if this is capped, Have been told it is Unlimited, I asked if it mattered how much i downloaded, or if there were any restrictions whatsoever, a got a satisfying "NO". So I think I am more likely to trust what they say to me than what someone has obviously Mis-read, and posted on a forum site.

lipidicman

marleyboy wrote:

as stated above, those terms are for non cable customers the first clue is in the big heading "Your Guide to our Non Cable Service". Suggest you read it again, only start from the top.

I realise this.
The OP asked this:
'what does the virgin broadband 40gb downloading limit mean, i watch a lot of videos on youtube does virgin broadband count that as downloading.'
So I assume we are talking about the non-cable service

marleyboy wrote:

you are all free to beleive what you want, ive gone to the trouble of phoning them to find out if this is capped, Have been told it is Unlimited, I asked if it mattered how much i downloaded, or if there were any restrictions whatsoever, a got a satisfying "NO". So I think I am more likely to trust what they say to me than what someone has obviously Mis-read, and posted on a forum site.

[sarcasm] Yes, I have misread and mis-pasted that from the terms and conditions. I always find that I get the definitive answer when I phone a call center [/sarcasm]

aethandor

Virgin (via ADSL) have just (Today 19-June-2007) emailed a general mailshot advising of new T&C especially pointing out the aspects to do with fair use and bandwidth.

http://www.virgin.net/terms/
http://www.virgin.net/terms/bb_bundle_tc.html

The wording has been eased for them to the point where now I wonder if it constitutes a fair contract.

they initially draw attention to paragraph C section 7

Monitoring and Performance:

With your permission, Virgin Media may monitor communications, including without limitation, any content or material transmitted over the Service. We reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to monitor and control data volume and/or types of traffic transmitted via your Broadband Service. In the event that your use of the Broadband Service (i) risks degradation of service levels to other customers, (ii) puts our system at risk, (iii) is not in keeping with that reasonably expected of a residential customer and/or (iv) does not comply with these Terms and Conditions (including the Acceptable Use Policy), we reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to reduce, suspend or terminate your Broadband Service and/or restrict certain types of traffic on your Broadband Service. During any time of reduction, suspension or restriction, you will remain liable for the payment of your original level of Broadband Service charge. We also reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to re-grade your Broadband Service to a different speed at the appropriate charge. Further information about our Traffic Management document can be found on our website at the following address: http://www.virgin.net/allyours/faqs/traffic_faqs.html. Virgin Media reserves the right to modify the Traffic Management document at any time without prior notice and solely at our own discretion. Any changes will take effect when posted on the Site.

Essentially the wording has now changed so that it's all at THEIR sole discretion.

They can restrict you, terminate you, or charge you more. If they want to. It's up to them. Not you.

Oh yes, they can watch what you're doing and spy on you too - with your permission!

If you think that this applies to heavy users only, think again.

n the event that your use of the Broadband Service (i) risks degradation of service levels to other customers

All internet traffic impacts on (has a negative effect, degrades) the available bandwidth.

I live in a small village that is rather remote. If I decide to watch a youtube movie, watch internet broadcasts, download music, listen to internet radio it is going to impact upon the available bandwidth for the village. If someone sends me an email with a large attachment then it will impact on internet bandwidth for the village. If I download a windows update or virus definition files etc it again affects other users. If I browse through stuff on ebay it affects other users. Across the entire network it's not so great, but if Virgin are supplying unlimited internet (or anyone else) then realistically they are selling something which they do not have the infrastructure in place to provide.

Virgin have made an awful lot of noise about other ISPs selling unlimited internet but not being transparent about their fair use policy.

I typically get 7.6mb to 7.8mb speed during the day. I'm a disabled I.T. professional so don't get out much. I enjoy making use of the internet and know my way around it.

I could typically legitimately exceed the suggested maximum reasonable amount (40gb a month) within 10 hours. There are roughly 720 hours in a typical month. If you use your unlimited broadband at full speed for less than 1.39% of the month you can exceed the suggested 40Gb of a "reasonable" user. Fair Use ????

Although it doesn't often happen I sometimes do download up to 14Gb a day for a few days running.
If I do, because I know most of the other people any downloading I do would have an negative impact on, I do it at times when it won't be a nuisance to my friends and neighbours.

I'm a residential user, I am being reasonable towards the other users of available bandwidth in the area. I am paying for unlimited broadband. I am certainly not making as much use of it as I could do if I were irresponsible.

So what makes 40gb a reasonable limit in todays world ?
The limits are prejudicial to the benefit of the ISPs and bear no validity in relation to the internet as it stands today - let alone in the future.

It is NOT unlimited.

Let's not beat about the bush here, it IS limited on a use it or lose it basis. In fact it is not just limited, it is EXTREMELY limited.

It's just like some mobile phone contracts where you get so many minutes but if you don't use them then there is NO rollover, not even for one month.

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) where are your teeth ? What about you ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association) ? What about OFCOM ?

We are being sold LIES, IMO and the complaints are forming into mountains but nobody is prepared to do anything about it.

Just my 2c worth!