Alternative to Virgin!

[J.S.]

OK cool thanks for all the responses guys, I think based on all the feedback I'm going to give Virgin a miss for trading. I'd defo prefer a slower consistent line. That cashback link looks wicked though, thanks will come in handy as I will use them for TV, phone and other Internet useage

If you lot don't mind, would you mind mentioning which ISPs you are using atm, good or bad so I can make a more informed choice based on betfair trader's feedback

Thanks again

[The Joker]

JS I have no issues AT ALL with virgin 20 meg! The 50 meg on the other hand I couldn't comment on though I do have a dodgey modem and 50 meg config file so I might give it a go in the next week or so! As I understand it the 20 and50 services are supposed to run on different protocols or layers I can't remnember which though!

I saw on click recently that a new method of data curing might allow 200mb over normal copper ! ( something to bear in mind )

[jimrobo]

the original 20Mb was on the docsis 2 network and the 50Mb was on the DOCSIS 3 network. I downgraded to 20Mb thinking I would be put back on the docsis 2 network where I had less problems but all they did was throttle my modem to 20Mb on the docsis3 network.

I don;t know whether existing 20Mb customers were migrated to the docsis3 network or left on the docsis 2 network though.

[Leonthefixer]

That cashback link looks wicked though, thanks will come in handy as I will use them for TV, phone and other Internet useage

Keep an eye on it as they often offer over £100 cash back so if you aren't in a rush you may be best to wait.

I am on Zen on 2mb as I live so far from the exchange and have no issues. Surely the download speed doesn't make much difference? Isn't it more to do with the ping? I get about 60ms on TT and that does me fine.

[jimrobo]

its not exactly linked but in general the faster your connection the lower your ping. On virgin I average 15 Milliseconds on TT

[J.S.]

Thanks again guys, some more useful replies as expected

[Caan Berry]

Ok, to be honest i dont really have much of a clue about connections now and am well behind with the times...

Live just near Bath server is in maidenhead and i seem to be getting an ok response

Ping test B* 31ms
Upload 0.28
Download 0.75

Toy ping is 93 - 180 ???

It might be because its a sunday the results are ok but generally lately its been pretty poor and worse than this. Do you thing Switching to virgin could be worth it? Sometimes toy ping hits 200 - 350 and its unbearable... what would be my best line of action?

[AnyGreenIsGood]

Well I seem to be in the slow lane, cos i'm on Virgin 10Mg service. That said, it seems like lightening for firing bets in using the Toy. I often do a speed test and it consistently comes up very close to the full 10mg (9.8ish)

One advantage of the Virgin service over ASDL is that I don't find it suffers in the early evening 'rush hour', like the BR ones do. Been pretty reliable as well over the years. Only problem comes if you do have an issue - their so called technical helpline is crap. Bloody Indians who don't understand what your saying or what the problem is! Can only read from a script and normally try and tell you the problem is with your computer. You have to be firm with them and tell them what to do! evil

[Sekani]

Well I seem to be in the slow lane, cos i'm on Virgin 10Mg service. That said, it seems like lightening for firing bets in using the Toy. I often do a speed test and it consistently comes up very close to the full 10mg (9.8ish)

One advantage of the Virgin service over ASDL is that I don't find it suffers in the early evening 'rush hour', like the BR ones do. Been pretty reliable as well over the years. Only problem comes if you do have an issue - their so called technical helpline is crap. Bloody Indians who don't understand what your saying or what the problem is! Can only read from a script and normally try and tell you the problem is with your computer. You have to be firm with them and tell them what to do! evil

That's really funny, my experience is completely opposite! Service crap, technical helpline brilliant (must be my girlish charm)

[AnyGreenIsGood]

Sekani. Interesting to read that from you. Honestly, what I said is what I've found from VM. (and NTL before them)

Very stable broadband connection, but odd time I've had trouble, I find the overseas helpdesk are clueless. Not being big headed to say I know more than they do about computers and first thing I do is check my own system(s)

Also interesting to see we are not too far apart in the world. I'm also in Herts, although had not put that in my profile.

[Leonthefixer]

OK cool thanks for all the responses guys, I think based on all the feedback I'm going to give Virgin a miss for trading. I'd defo prefer a slower consistent line. That cashback link looks wicked though, thanks will come in handy as I will use them for TV, phone and other Internet useage

For anyone who is thinking of getting Virgin they are currently doing a really good deal of £165 cash back meaning you can get Virgin for just £2.08 a month - only problem is the offer ends today, so you best hurry

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-sky-virgin

[Emkayracing]

For anyone who is thinking of getting Virgin they are currently doing a really good deal of £165 cash back meaning you can get Virgin for just £2.08 a month - only problem is the offer ends today, so you best hurry

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-sky-virgin

Can we report Leon for false advertising??! £2.08 is TV only

I have been offline for a couple of days due to BR issues, two hours on the phone to Delhi last night culminated in my wireless working an absolute treat. Problem is - I don't use wireless

What's that film?, Lost In Translation

[J.S.]

I thought I might as well add my experiences in case it helps anyone else reading. I signed upto Virgin 50Mb for 2 months for free and found the line superfast. No problems whatsoever, I then downgraded to 10mbs for a trial month and found the performance practically identical for trading. For other purposes it was noticeably slower but I didn't notice a real difference when testing any trading apps. So I've stuck with 10mbs since. I regularly test the connection and it is bang on with fibre optic (10mbs d/l, 0.5mbs u/l and 15-35ms ping). Although I haven't traded for long enough yet to be sure with it, it's looking much more stable than any ADSL or broadband connection I've used before. Overall I feel more secure and haven't needed to use my laptop's dongle to trade out yet.
:Brilliant

[OldFatherTime]

Virgin BB

Hey dudes, am getting Virgin installed for TV & phone serives. Am eyeing up the 50MB line for the Internet but am a tad concerned as I haven't found many who trade with it.

If anyone on the forums uses Virgin to trade, would you mind posing a line or two in regards to how you would rate it & whether you would recommend it. Would be much appreciated

I have used Virgin BB for years first @ 5Mb/s and moved to 20Mb/s when that was introduced. I use for trading etc and would certainly recommend it.
I have not had any serious problems.
Currently taking part in the 100Mb/s trials.
So far as I am aware no other UK providers attain equal speeds and reliability.
Download Speed: 97340 kbps (12167.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9031 kbps (1128.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 14 ms
19 October 2010 19:56:24

Download Speed: 97367 kbps (12170.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9005 kbps (1125.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 17 ms
20 October 2010 20:05:45

Download Speed: 97415 kbps (12176.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9056 kbps (1132 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 18 ms
21 October 2010 15:56:48

Download Speed: 97401 kbps (12175.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 7414 kbps (926.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 14 ms
22 October 2010 10:00:52

Download Speed: 97339 kbps (12167.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 8993 kbps (1124.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 14 ms
23 October 2010 13:19:30

Download Speed: 97372 kbps (12171.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9056 kbps (1132 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 17 ms
23 October 2010 17:04:01

Download Speed: 97148 kbps (12143.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9146 kbps (1143.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 18 ms
26 October 2010 14:05:45

Download Speed: 97277 kbps (12159.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9053 kbps (1131.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 18 ms
28 October 2010 21:00:13

Download Speed: 97287 kbps (12160.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 8977 kbps (1122.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 16 ms
29 October 2010 15:36:12

Download Speed: 97424 kbps (12178 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9173 kbps (1146.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 13 ms
29 October 2010 20:01:44

Download Speed: 97329 kbps (12166.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9148 kbps (1143.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 18 ms
01 November 2010 00:20:54

Download Speed: 97359 kbps (12169.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 8910 kbps (1113.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 17 ms
01 November 2010 12:13:59

Download Speed: 97253 kbps (12156.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 8716 kbps (1089.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 18 ms
02 November 2010 19:47:02

Download Speed: 97390 kbps (12173.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 9008 kbps (1126 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 16 ms
04 November 2010 14:07:45

Download Speed: 97385 kbps (12173.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 7000 kbps (875 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 12 ms
06 November 2010 15:29:24

Download Speed: 97341 kbps (12167.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 7194 kbps (899.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 15 ms
07 November 2010 16:14:57

Download Speed: 97391 kbps (12173.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 7321 kbps (915.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 14 ms
08 November 2010 10:39:49

Hope this helps..

[Costanza]

Great to read all the input on this thread, as have been thinking about upgrading my bandwidth. I currently am on 10mb Virgin Media. My ping is a grade A but download speeds never seem to go above 1.98. Despite this, I have never had any issue with TT for trading and I use it for several hours every day.

What I have noticed though, is that streaming live video at the same time as having the ladders on screen, significantly reduces the stream quality. Can anyone tell me if they have the same issues on 10Mb? Does 20Mb rectify this problem?