Virgin Traffic Shaping/Download Cap Question

[Gav]

Hi there, I've seen other threads about this, but I'm wondering if someone can give me a definitive answer to the following questions:

1. I am aware of the 3GB download/1.25GB upload limit during the hours of 4PM to 9PM (I'm on the XL package).

However, I was wondering if they specifically limit certain protocols during peak times (or any other time for that matter).

I've been getting a consistent 2.4MB/Sec on Torrents (during off-peak hours), and was wondering, but I read somewhere that they are supposed to limit torrent data, like many other ISPs are starting to do?

I haven't noticed any obvious torrent 'throttling', so am I just lucky, or will they implement it soon?

2. Is there any way to get around the download caps, so I can download what I want, when I want?

Thanks,

Gav

[usmania]

I am also waiting for an answer for this..

[thedigger]

They don't use traffic "shaping" (ie, only allowing Web data to operate at full speed, and throttling other ports). Their only way of dealing with people downloading torrents is by throttling your overall bandwidth if you exceed the agreed DL cap. You can download torrents all night (from 9 onwards) with no ill effects

[franko180]

Sorry to repeat this, but can we be totally clear? On VM the only period that is capped it 4pm-9pm otherwise we can download/upload at maximum speed at all other times?

Thanks

[kamark]

Yes you can download and upload all other time. I dont know why people do all the hassale. Just start torrent before you go to bed it will be downloaded by the morning. No hassale.

[tinkertiler]

Er no they are trailing new capping systems over the country so i have read.

Hi,

I know there have been many queries regarding STM (Traffic Management), and below is the official statement regarding changes to the STM policy.

If you have any questions or comments, please can I ask that you post these in the Feedback group (virginmedia.feedback) to keep the support groups clear for the team to respond to service affecting issues. This has been cross-posted to feedback.

Thankyou.

STM Statement:

· As part of our continued efforts to improve our customer's broadband experience we are continuing to trial measures which will more efficiently and pro-actively manage network traffic.

· As part of our continued efforts to improve our customer's broadband experience, we are making changes to the current Traffic Management Policy within certain trial regions.

· This updated policy will be trialed within the following regions Preston, Wigan, Blackpool, Camden, Dalston, Enfield and Haringey.

· These measures are based on policies that detect traffic patterns that are deemed potentially abnormal and apply traffic management rules to ensure that other customers are not adversely affected by this traffic.

· The trial aims to prevent or reduce the effects of a minority of users abusing the network and preventing the majority of subscribers from having the network performance they desire.

· For the vast majority of customers, upwards of 95% of the base, their experience will be a more consistent speed (both upload and download).

· Those who have the policies applied to their connection will experience their download / upload speed being constrained (less than 5% affected). Breach of acceptable use policy may lead to these policies being applied.

· These optimisation policies are being trialed during the following times where the potential for abnormal traffic has been identified as having the greatest adverse impact on our customers' experience.

10am - 3pm Download only
4pm - 9pm Download
3pm - 8pm Upload


During these times the following thresholds will be applied for upstream and downstream.

10am - 3pm Download
Size M: 900Mb
Size L: 2400Mb
Size XL: 6000Mb

4pm - 9pm Download
Size M: 450Mb
Size L:1200Mb
Size XL: 3000Mb

3pm - 8pm Upload
Size M: 200Mb
Size L: 700Mb
Size XL: 1400Mb


--

Kind Regards
Karl Rio
Virgin Media Technical Support

FROM HERE http://abcde.co.uk/virginmedia/stm-trial-statement.txt

[CaptainHaZ]

i hate this policy, im getting screwed everyday.

anyone have any ideas on hwo to get around it?

[cablemax]

i have found that it affects me from 4pm until midnight during peek hours. and i have also found the cap doesnt release until you stop your downloads for roughly 30 mins for those of you on virmin media
if you use the cm10240-769 config you will get a constant 10mb 24/7
and that gotta be better than 3gb grabbed at 20mbit then a crappy 592k
afterwards until throttle releases id rather get 10mb 24/7

[badboy123]

So lets say I have a 20 meg MAC cloned modem, if I exceed the limit, will this affect the paying customer?

[cablemax]

no .it shouldnt as it as your modem would be running on a different ubr