Do I need a Superhub for a 30 Meg Broadband Connection?

[deans6571]

Currently I am on Virgin's 10 meg connection using their Scientific Atlanta 2100 modem with a D-Link DIR615 router. I want to upgrade to 30 meg so would like someone from Virgin Media to confirm if my equipment above can handle the 30 meg connection or will I need a Superhub?

[swt4ajp · Accepted solution]

hi

unfortuantly you will need to upgrade to the superhub due to the docsis version of your old modem unable to handle the speeds of the newer docsis spec.

you can upgrade by contacting customer services on 150 (free from a vm landline or virgin mobile) option 5,2

[Amer_Z]

Hi dean6571,

swt4ajp is perfectly correct and why. You will need a Superhub.

[deans6571]

How much would a Superhub cost me?

[swt4ajp]

hi

this can be discussed by customer retentions as they sometimes waive the fee for install/delivery

but you can contact them on 150 (Free from a vm landline or virgin mobile) option 5,2

[Jen_A]

HI deans6571,

I have ordered a Superhub for you to replace the old modem you have currently.

This should arrive within 3 to 5 days. Please telephone Virgin Media to activate this when it arrives. Call 151 (from a Virgin landline) or 0845 454 1111 (from any other phone.)

[deans6571]

That's very good of you - thank you! 

Once I have activated the Superhub, will my old modem no longer work (was thinking of keeping it as a spare in case the Superhub ever malfunctions)?

[vtank]

I believe you will have to call 150 to activate the super hub when it arrives and the old one will be deactivated and will no longer work. (Had same issue when switching from some old black modem to the VM Hub)

[deans6571]

.....thanks for that vtank  

Only reason I was asking is because I have heard SO MANY horror stories with the latest firmware of the Superhub causing random disconnections and other issues - I am in 2 minds as to whether I should actually use it or not!

 My current set up is working fine, and has been for ages now and I'm just worried I will jinx all that as soon as I add the Superhib to the equation!!!!!

Can someone put my mind at ease on this?! 

Also - what is the process I should follow: receive the Superhub, activate it and then upgrade my tariff speed from 10 to 30 mb OR upgrade tarif first and THEN activate Superhub and connect it up? 

[horseman · Accepted solution]

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deans6571 wrote:

.....thanks for that vtank  

Only reason I was asking is because I have heard SO MANY horror stories with the latest firmware of the Superhub causing random disconnections and other issues ......

Can someone put my mind at ease on this?! 

....... 

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You've likely heard "HORROR" stories from this/similar sites.   The nature of the beast is that users will only complain and rarely seek out these sites to register their satisfaction.

VM have 4+million subscribers and there annual results do not contain any worthwhile detail on how many SH's are in the field. One can approximate based on the published Service Tier percentages but VM (nor any ISP) will publish stats on fault percentages to the level of detail for you to make any real informed decision.

The SH does have some "issues" but exactly what "pathological" scenerios and combination of line impairments exacerbate these is unknown.  Some reported problems will undoubtedly be due therefore primarily to other factors......  but give a dog a bad name.....etc.

Personally I have an Ambit256 and I would/will resist migrating to a SHub for many technical/logistic and personal reasons.  I will therefore (when SpeedDoubling completes later this year or next) happily except a 20XL service paying the same price as L30 or even XL60 in some cases!  

However if I was in your situation with a SmurfBord then a SuperHub would be required as VM appear to have no plans to currently release config files to allow the legacy 20XL uplift.

Personally I would activate the SH on existing tier and benchmark significantly before upgrading to 30/60 tier etc.    If you want some ideas for benchmarking then these rough notes might give you a lead:

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https://www.evernote.com/shard/s102/sh/3c4e6d1e-92ac-453c-9bf1-7992b64e2200/db9da7378297df44bf2acede...