Tech
Virgin Media is to roll out a new traffic management policy on its broadband internet access service over the next few weeks.
The initial version of the system was rolled out in conjunction with its top-tier 20Mbps service, and identified peak time as between 4pm and midnight. Virgin said that the system, which limits the amount of data that can be downloaded and uploaded by enforcing speed restrictions, would affect only the top 5% of downloaders. Customers on the lowest tier of service who downloaded over 350MB in peak had their speed reduced to 1Mbps; customers on the middle tier who downloaded over 750MB had their speed reduced to 2Mbps, and customers on the 20Mbps service who downloaded over 3GB had their speed reduced to 5Mbps. The speed restrictions were enforced for a number of hours after being initially triggered, so triggering the system at midnight would still result in restrictions being in place through the night.
The new system identifies peak as being between 4pm and 9pm, and Virgin says it will now only affect the top 3% of users. The lowest tier trigger level is now set at 300MB of downloads or 150MB of uploads; the mid tier trigger has been upped to 800MB of downloads or 325MB of uploads - with the speed restriction set to 1Mbps; and the top tier trigger remains at 3GB. The restrictions will last for 5 hours from the trigger point.
The company explained: "We found that this small minority of customers were actually downloading or uploading enough information to significantly affect the service for other customers' broadband service. To put it another way, just 3% of uploaders and downloaders were affecting the service for the other 97% of uploaders and downloaders during peak times (that's between 4pm and 9pm).
"What's more, we noticed that when we restricted the speed of the service for this 3% of users who were uploading and/or downloading, we had a positive response from customers (there were less calls into our technical support teams regarding problems with broadband performance). We also noticed that the broadband speed was faster for the vast majority of users."
> Click here to discuss the changes with other Virgin Media customers
The initial version of the system was rolled out in conjunction with its top-tier 20Mbps service, and identified peak time as between 4pm and midnight. Virgin said that the system, which limits the amount of data that can be downloaded and uploaded by enforcing speed restrictions, would affect only the top 5% of downloaders. Customers on the lowest tier of service who downloaded over 350MB in peak had their speed reduced to 1Mbps; customers on the middle tier who downloaded over 750MB had their speed reduced to 2Mbps, and customers on the 20Mbps service who downloaded over 3GB had their speed reduced to 5Mbps. The speed restrictions were enforced for a number of hours after being initially triggered, so triggering the system at midnight would still result in restrictions being in place through the night.
The new system identifies peak as being between 4pm and 9pm, and Virgin says it will now only affect the top 3% of users. The lowest tier trigger level is now set at 300MB of downloads or 150MB of uploads; the mid tier trigger has been upped to 800MB of downloads or 325MB of uploads - with the speed restriction set to 1Mbps; and the top tier trigger remains at 3GB. The restrictions will last for 5 hours from the trigger point.
The company explained: "We found that this small minority of customers were actually downloading or uploading enough information to significantly affect the service for other customers' broadband service. To put it another way, just 3% of uploaders and downloaders were affecting the service for the other 97% of uploaders and downloaders during peak times (that's between 4pm and 9pm).
"What's more, we noticed that when we restricted the speed of the service for this 3% of users who were uploading and/or downloading, we had a positive response from customers (there were less calls into our technical support teams regarding problems with broadband performance). We also noticed that the broadband speed was faster for the vast majority of users."
> Click here to discuss the changes with other Virgin Media customers
More: Tech, Cable TV and Broadband
Apple News
Apple TV sales approach 3 million unitsApple CEO Tim Cook reveals that Apple TV is approaching 3 million sales.
Android News
Sky Go Android app gets launch dateSky Go is to launch for Android tablets and smartphones on February 22.
Satellite TV News
BBC to broadcast London 2012 live in 3DLive coverage is coming of opening and closing ceremonies, Men's 100-meter final.
Cable News
Virgin Media tops 1bn VOD views in 2011Coronation Street most popular for catch-up, Vampire Diaries more viewed series.
Freeview News
BBC to broadcast London 2012 live in 3DLive coverage is coming of opening and closing ceremonies, Men's 100-meter final.
Video on Demand
Netflix pays out $9m in privacy suitNetflix pays out $9m in compliance with the Video Protection Privacy Act.
