Hi,
I quite like to idle a bit of time on hotukdeals. One apparently knowledgeable user on it called KodaBear has recently posted the following on an apparent VM hub upgrade programme (which has probably already been stymied by the warehouse access shenanigans) :
Does this sound right?
The words above differ from VM's website.
See : Can I upgrade the Hub?
https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/existing-customer-deals/hub
Does this also apply to the SH1 and SH2(ac) Hubs that are still floating around in the VM universe? It would be a big ask for VM to "recycle" quite possibly millions of old Hubs and give out Hub 5's en masse.....
It's what I think. The old hub 3s are breaking down with red light warning galore. They have older WiFi standards, and the manufacturer will not want to do firmware updates for security related vulnerabilities for ever.
VM are behind the curve compared to other ISPs who do high speed internet, so it makes sense to have a migration path, initially for the higher tiers, to reduce support costs and standardise and make speed upgrades for customers less of a pain. The HUB5 also makes use of Docsis3.1 channel which helps in over utilised areas and can bond the most downstream channels compared to other older hubs. I haven't checked, but it's probably more power efficient too and supports at least WiFi 6 AX technology which most new phones, tablets and laptops support now.
The pictures for broadband only on VMs web site also indicate a HUB5 for tiers down to M350. I know there is a disclaimer saying pictures are illustrative only, but if you buy via PERKSATWORK, it tells you in the VM checkout stage if you get a HUB5.
Good spot. Just M125 and M250 are showing the Hub 3 these days...
Looks like KodaBear knows his/her stuff.
An apparent recent example of this hub upgrade programme (from a Hub 3 to a Hub 5 for M250) is here https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/QuickStart-set-up-and/Upgrade-swap-to-5/m-p/5604322#M254989
