Broadband

[lancslass17]

Hi,

So currently with virgin contract expires in a few weeks. Internet is not the best , does anyone have any tech knowhow to clarify:

Will getting more Mbs improve my internet or will it still be crap because it's still virgin?

Yes, getting more Mbps should improve your internet, but you may still find it's a bit slower in the evenings when lots of people are online.

BUT. You need to check what your phone lines are capable of. Can you put your address into zen internet's broadband package checker and tell me what packages it offers you? That will give an idea of the max speed you can get.

If you can then tell me what package you are on now, I can further advise.

Virgin always used to be far more expensive than most others, so it might be worth shopping around.

I've been with Virgin Media literally forever, actually an NTL customer prior to takeover. It isn't the cheapest, never has been but I'm reluctant to change for several reasons. It's an independent connection, not reliant on having a landline connection (extra cost) which historically was a big deal for me. Fibre connection, that is to the green exchange box at the end of the street, rest is standard shielded cable installed relatively recently compared to old phone lines; less chance of poor connection due to aged corroded cable. Ping times/jitter/packet loss have always been excellent, far more important than 'broadband speed' so your paying for quality with little to no downtime. Come time to renew I've always phoned them up, chosen the 'thinking of leaving us' option and negotiated a better price than otherwise offered. I'm on the lowest speed offered 50 Mb, unless you have a household full of kids all streaming movies it's plenty adequate. Buying a superior package simply increases the bandwidth permitted, the quality of the connection remains the same. A few extra quid a month, for me anyway I've no reason to change as I use the service constantly.

Use 'Speedtest by Ookla', it's free and post the results. Also indicate the price your paying / claimed speed you should be receiving if you want an opinion. And possibly your circumstances ref household.

Here is mine. Be sure to redact your IP address (red scribble).

real unless your downloading loads 10 meg is find might get the occasional buffer if someone streaming something and a few others on
I work for openreach people are obsessed with top speeds they never use / need or there shitty 15 year old laptop on wi fi would support

workout what devices u use what for and take it from there

Our household consists of me, one grown up child and my lovely wife of 25 years 😍We are paying £29 a month for aforementioned service (fixed for next 15 months or so). Just broadband, nothing else. Cheaper deals with other ISPs just don't interest me for all the aforementioned reasons. Hope that helps a little.

Quote 'I work for openreach people are obsessed with top speeds they never use'

Amen to that