UPC new speeds and cheaper prices. 25mb/50mb/100mb

bk

UPC are currently holding a press conference where they are announcing new BB products and cheaper triple play packages:

There entry level BB speed is now 25mb!!

Fibrepower Starter bundle: 25MB, Phone, Digital Value + and Home phone with Freetime world all for €60

For €5 more you can double your speed in the above bundle to 50MB

Fibrepower Ultimate: For those who want it all, 100MB, Digital Max + and Home phone with Freetime world all for €85

Watch this space for more updates as I get them.

BTW the UPC site hasn't been updated yet.

Available from May 9th and available to all customers including existing.

Data caps: 120gb for 25Mbs 250GB for 25Mb/s
Unconfirmed, but tweeted by Adrian Weckler: 250gb for 50Mbs, 500gb for 100Mb.

Anyone on less then 25mb will automatically be upgraded to 25Mbs, but can also of course opt for higher speeds.

We are now hearing that people won't be automatically upgraded, but can request to be upgraded to new packages from Monday the 9th.

Standalone prices (I haven't confirmed this yet, they seem to include the €7.50 if you don't take a bundle with TV): 25Mbs €42.75, 50Mbs €52.75, 100Mbs €72.75

Upload speeds:
25mb upload is 2.5mb
50mb upload is 5mb
100mb upload is 7mb

godtabh

will these be applicable to current customers?

JoeyJJ

without renewing your contract is the question.

vibe666

going on past experience, you may have to request an upgrade initially (and get a new contract to boot) as with previous broadband speed bumps, but eventually they will likely upgrade everyone for free with no new contract.

i guess it depends on if you'd prefer the new speeds & a new contract, or you'd rather pay the same price for the old speeds till they (most likely, just guessing for now) upgrade everyone for free.

EDIT: not forgetting to mention that the upload will be increasing from 7mbps to 10mbps and the price for broadband only will be dropping to €65 per month.

bk

godtabh wrote: »

will these be applicable to current customers?

Yes, it seems so, from May 9th.

Yes you probably need a new contract, but really 100mb BB, phone and TV for just €85 is outstanding value, so lets not complain too much.

I'd give my right arm to be able to get this.

godtabh

only signed the contract about a month ago so wouldnt be to bothered if i had to signing a new one.

vibe666

bk wrote: »

I'd give my right arm to be able to get this.

with 100mbps broadband and limitless amounts of HD pr0n, you might want to reconsider that and offer up your left arm instead! :pac:

godtabh

vibe666 wrote: »

with 100mbps broadband and limitless amounts of HD pr0n, you might want to reconsider that and offer up your left arm instead! :pac:

he could be ambidextrous

bk

See above for caps updates, etc.

godtabh

maybe its different if you are an all in package ie tv phone and bb but i thought there was no limits on the bb?

20mb fiber bb currently has unlimted downloads.

is that changing?

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

dave1982

Would prefer to hear them expanding into new areas tbh

JDxtra

bk wrote: »

Standalone prices (I haven't confirmed this yet, they don't really make sense): 25Mbs €42.75, 50Mbs €52.75.

This only makes sense if it's inclusive of the standalone charge.

Vunderground

I wonder what becomes of the 30mb customers? Automatic upgrade to 50mb?
It would keep it nice and neat for them

bk

JDxtra wrote: »

This only makes sense if it's inclusive of the standalone charge.

Exactly, it doesn't make sense otherwise, I'm trying to get confirmation from UPC at the moment, but no news yet.

UPC currently have (second price is including analog charge):
10mb €25 €32.75 120GB cap
20mb €34 €41.75 250GB cap
30mb €42 €49.75 250 GB cap

New prices:
25mb €42.75 120GB cap 250GB cap
50mb €52.75 250 GB cap

This actually seems like bad news for a lot of UPC customers.

- 10mb customers forced to pay an extra €10 per month, even if they don't need the extra speed.
- 20mb customers forced to pay an extra €1 per month, cap halved

More info, good news on the 10MB/s product to come Monday.
25Mb/s seems will have a 250GB cap, so pretty good, €1 more gets you 5mb/s more downlaod speed and 1Mb/s more upload speed with the same cap.

Other unanswered question is will 50mb use DOCSIS 3, it better otherwise it will be a joke.

UPC have confirmed that 50Mb/s and 100Mb/s service will both use EuroDOCSIS 3 modems.

vibe666

godtabh wrote: »

maybe its different if you are an all in package ie tv phone and bb but i thought there was no limits on the bb?

20mb fiber bb currently has unlimted downloads.

is that changing?

it's not changing, there's always been a 250gb limit per month on the 20mbps & 30mbps packages (since Jan 2009 iirc), they just don't call it a limit and hide it in their T&C's and call it an 'Acceptable Usage Policy' or AUP, or previously FUP, but someone decided that the word 'Acceptable' was less open to misinterpretation than the word 'Fair'.

vibe666

bk wrote: »

Other unanswered question is will 50mb use DOCSIS 3, it better otherwise it will be a joke.

from what I understand, both the sci. atl. epc2203 & the cisco epc2425 are euroDOCSIS2.0 compatible, so they should be good up to 55mbps down, although you most likely won't get the full speed as they don't appear to do the multilink/multichannel protocol (forget the actual name of it) like the newer thompson routers do, so the speed will be less of a constant than it would be with the thompson on the same line.

also, i've seen the thompson given out recently to new 10mbps customers though, so i think the cisco epc2425 is on it's last legs anyway (which is great news in itself).

bk

vibe666 wrote: »

from what I understand, both the sci. atl. epc2203 & the cisco epc2425 are euroDOCSIS2.0 compatible, so they should be good up to 55mbps down, although you most likely won't get the full speed as they don't appear to do the multilink/multichannel protocol

EDIT NOTE: UPC have confirmed that the 50Mb/s and 100Mb/s products will use EuroDOCSIS 3 modems

God, I hope not. EuroDOCSIS 2 is capable of 55.62Mb.s, however that is shared between everyone on you street. You would never really get anywhere near that speed. 30Mb/s is advised as the extreme max for DOCSIS 2, you really need EuroDOCSIS 3 to go over 30Mb/s.

If they are doing 50Mb/s on EuroDOCSIS 2, then it is nothing but a cynical marketing ploy where no one actually gets anywhere near this speed.

I suppose we just have to wait and see.

StaticNoise

Veles wrote: »

Bye bye Eircom!

Whoa! You should have left them a long time ago!

Vunderground wrote: »

I wonder what becomes of the 30mb customers? Automatic upgrade to 50mb?
It would keep it nice and neat for them

Sure, I went from 10Mb to 15Mb, then to 20Mb.
It was also a mixture of SMS promotions I got telling me to power off the router, and also via link on Boards.

bk wrote: »

If they are doing 50Mb/s on EuroDOCSIS 2, then it is nothing but a cynical marketing ploy where no one actually gets anywhere near this speed.

I suppose we just have to wait and see.

Ah, I doubt they'll do a con job on it. I really do, they are trying (IMHO) to clean up the image they once had: and with prices/deals like this they're not doing too shabby a job. I will await with anticipation.


It also would appear that those on existing packages get upgraded to 25Mb automatically and those higher get pushed to 50Mb automatically.

Update: "30MB customers will not be downgraded. They can opt into 50MB bundle if they wish" (UPC twitter)

godtabh

vibe666 wrote: »

it's not changing, there's always been a 250gb limit per month on the 20mbps & 30mbps packages (since Jan 2009 iirc), they just don't call it a limit and hide it in their T&C's and call it an 'Acceptable Usage Policy' or AUP, or previously FUP, but someone decided that the word 'Acceptable' was less open to misinterpretation than the word 'Fair'.

stupid t&c!

makes the change less worthwhile now. Would rather have the higher cap as the speed is fine.

can they force these change in terms on us? Is does that regulation 17 of some European directive apply here?

M.J.M.C

Does anyone would upc come out to move where the box is in your house or who would you contact?

Moving from 30 - 50 if I can but ive already blown two powerline plugs

StaticNoise

Get an electrician. They put my one in really badly.

Dont be at yourself

Is the 100mb broadband available everywhere the 30mb is? That top deal sounds good value.

vibe666

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Does anyone would upc come out to move where the box is in your house or who would you contact?

Moving from 30 - 50 if I can but ive already blown two powerline plugs

i tried wireless bridges and powerline adapters before, but in the end i got fed up and just drilled a few holes in my external walls and ran a cable outside the house up the drainpipe and along the gutters to get a wired gigabit connection upstairs and haven't looked back since.

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Is the 100mb broadband available everywhere the 30mb is? That top deal sounds good value.

it should be yes, from may 9th.

Simi

Can these changes be used to get out of contract? If the above changes are correct then this is a terrible deal for 20mb customers. Essentially you're paying €1 more a month to have your cap halved!

thefinalstage

Oh my. This new 100mb deal is coming to a house near me.

StaticNoise

I'd imagine that if you're in a contract, you're stuck.
Unless you've got a superb reason to why it is not fair/right, but I doubt it'll happen.

rayc

Simi wrote: »

Can these changes be used to get out of contract? If the above changes are correct then this is a terrible deal for 20mb customers. Essentially you're paying €1 more a month to have your cap halved!

Pretty s**tty deal for 10MB 'light' users too if the quoted prices are correct, an extra €10 per month for additional bandwidth you don't want!

Leeg17

I got 20mb three weeks ago, am I forced into the new 25mb/€1 extra/120gb bracket? or is it optional?

scary

Just been speaking to UPC and unless you ring in requesting to be changed you will stay on whatever package you are currently on. If you change its a new 12 month contract and you go to the new price for the package.

bk

All good questions, I've asked UPC, but I've yet to get an answer.

In case anyone from UPC is reading this, here is what people would like to know?

- What are the standalone (not in a bundle) prices for 25mb/50mb/100mb?
- Do the prices include the extra fee if you don't take TV service?
- What are the caps for the 25mb/50mb/100mb products?
- What happens to existing 10mb/20mb/30mb customers?
- If they are automatically upgraded, does that mean they are forced to pay more and what happens to their caps?
- If you upgrade to 50mb, will you get a new modem?
- Will the 50mb service be using a EuroDOCSIS 3 modem?

Lots of questions and UPC seem very quiet on all of these.

StaticNoise

To be honest, I don't see them charging existing customers more. You usually get the better value at the same price. I'm still paying the same price for broadband as I did two years ago.


Also, DOCSIS 3.0 is confirmed as standard.

Owen

I'm on an 8 Meg package with a 40Gig cap for 32 odd each month including the standalone charge. I don't particularly want, or need to be paying 40+ euro a month.

Why do they call it a standalone charge anyway? They have 3 services, TV, BB and Phone. Standalone implies if you get more than one, you're alright. I tried to get BB & Phone, and still had to pay a standalone charge, so ended up with BB only. They should change the name to 'without TV charge'.

StaticNoise

Is it not because they are primarily TV and because everything comes in from the "TV cable" for the want of another word? A laymans term, I know.

Update: "Customers on the older packages such as 9MB will be upgraded in a phased approach over the next few months."

Leeg17

scary wrote: »

Just been speaking to UPC and unless you ring in requesting to be changed you will stay on whatever package you are currently on. If you change its a new 12 month contract and you go to the new price for the package.

Seconded.

Rang a helpful rep there and she said that they can't secretly upgrade you from a package to another one (eve tho they do that for going over the "unlimited" FUP for two months) and that you'll have to contact them asking to be upgraded.

FWIW I'm quite happy with the 20mb I have (coming from 0.5mb 3 mobile bb) and the apparent half in usage cap isn't worth the extra 5mb in speed.

godtabh

Under EU Law if there is a change in your contract terms and conditions you can opt out

just found the relevant directive

"Under Regulation 17 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Services and Users' Rights) Regulations 2003, an operator shall, not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any proposed modification, notify its subscribers to that service of the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that service and their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do not accept the modification."

Leeg17

StaticNoise wrote: »

Is it not because they are primarily TV and because everything comes in from the "TV cable" for the want of another word? A laymans term, I know.

Update: "Customers on the older packages such as 9MB will be upgraded in a phased approach over the next few months."

Where did you get that info?

Johnmb

godtabh wrote: »

Under EU Law if there is a change in your contract terms and conditions you can opt out

just found the relevant directive

Yeah, but they aren't changing the terms of existing contracts. They seem to be making it quite clear that it is up to you to request the change, and that will involve a new contract.

godtabh

Johnmb wrote: »

Yeah, but they aren't changing the terms of existing contracts. They seem to be making it quite clear that it is up to you to request the change, and that will involve a new contract.

Thats grand.

I think I'm happy with what I have so

StaticNoise

Leeg17 wrote: »

Where did you get that info?

The comment made by UPC? From their twitter feed. These are directed at some questions posted by customers.

rayc

scary wrote: »

Just been speaking to UPC and unless you ring in requesting to be changed you will stay on whatever package you are currently on. If you change its a new 12 month contract and you go to the new price for the package.

But I assume when your current contract expires you will be forced to select from one of the new packages......

So maybe not now, but in 6 or 8 months I have to pay extra.

vibe666

bk wrote: »

If they are doing 50Mb/s on EuroDOCSIS 2, then it is nothing but a cynical marketing ploy where no one actually gets anywhere near this speed.

well that doesn't sound like fun, so i hope i'm wrong on that one.

Simi wrote: »

Can these changes be used to get out of contract? If the above changes are correct then this is a terrible deal for 20mb customers. Essentially you're paying €1 more a month to have your cap halved!

yes you can (according to previous threads on the forum from when providers have changed contract details in the past), since technically speaking they are changing the terms of the contract, so you *should* have the right to cancel it without penalty if you do not agree to the new terms.

that said, if they intend to leave everyone where they are for now unless they specifically ask to be upgraded, it might be a while before this kicks in for existing customers who don't opt for the speed bump voluntarily when it is released.

JonB

I rang up UPC. At the minute I'm on a 60euro bundle package with broadband, tv, phone. I want to upgrade to the 65euro bundle coming out. But I was told this was for new customers only. :rolleyes:

kk887

so that means THIS new stuff wont effect OLD customers?

currently using 20mb and about 180G every months...if they move me to this NEW contract than they are forcing me to pay more... (65euro for the 50mb bb?)

Nollog

JDxtra wrote: »

This only makes sense if it's inclusive of the standalone charge.

I heard they're scrapping the standalone charge altogether.

fionny

That standalone charge should be illegal tbh, its very deceptive, I have no interest in TV from them given their rubbish channels but their BB is superb..


Im currently on the 30meg plan standalone if I can get 100meg for a few euro more then im in like sin.

Would love a new modem as ive noticed high pings of late.... I have one of those Cisco type modems (scientific atlanta iirc which I got when the motorola acted up) will I need a new one again for this Docsis 3?

Also excuse my ignorance but whats the diff between docsis 2 and 3?

Nollog

fionny wrote: »

Also excuse my ignorance but whats the diff between docsis 2 and 3?

3 allows for higher speeds.

fionny

Cool so new modem = time off work for them to install as they dont trust people :P

Would docsis 3 improve latency too I wonder given wider Bandwidth?

kk887

http://m.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0505/breaking29.htm?via=latest

UPC sees rise in subscribers
Last Updated: Thursday, May 5, 2011, 11:54
CHARLIE TAYLOR

Cable TV operator UPC gained an additional 26,000 subscribers during the first three months of 2011.The company said total service subscriptions rose by 11 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2010.UPC currently has 811,700 service subscriptions and has recorded strong growth in all three of its core products, Digital TV, Broadband and Home Phone.Broadband subscriptions rose 34 per cent year-on-year while home phone subscriptions were up 58 per cent, the company said.UPC announced this morning that it is introducing 25Mb as the standard entry level speed for all its customers and is to launch new so-called triple play bundles - consisting of broadband, digital TV and phone from next week."Our new acquisition campaign, launched in January, with our all in one bundle of Digital TV, Phone and 20Mb Fibrepower Broadband for €65 clearly resonated with Irish consumers. Offering twice the broadband speed for the same or lower price than the alternative providers prompted increased switching for consumers," said recently appointed chief executive Dana Strong."Our growth in the first quarter shows that Irish customers are seeking better value and choosing UPC," she added.

=====================

look likely it will effect all current customers...

Leeg17

JonB wrote: »

I rang up UPC. At the minute I'm on a 60euro bundle package with broadband, tv, phone. I want to upgrade to the 65euro bundle coming out. But I was told this was for new customers only. :rolleyes:

Twitter says otherwise: "All of these bundles will be available to existing customers at the same price points "

I rang asking if we would be forced to upgrade from 20 to 25mb, the call centre rep said no, twitter says otherwise "all customers will have the option to avail of new bundles, but will not automatically be upgraded right away."

kk887

Leeg17 wrote: »

Twitter says otherwise: "All of these bundles will be available to existing customers at the same price points "

I rang asking if we would be forced to upgrade from 20 to 25mb, the call centre rep said no, twitter says otherwise "all customers will have the option to avail of new bundles, but will not automatically be upgraded right away."

it seems like they will force customers upgrade at some stage...