Virgin expands by using C&W errr cable? - Virgin Media TV and Phone

bob_loblaw · 23-05-2007, 07:15

I've just read story here:

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...lass=0&id=2443

Can someone explain to me what this means? Does it mean any area without cable now, but used to be served by C&W will now be able to get Virgin cable?

Are the cables the same? Will it be able to provide the same service?

Does anyone know what areas these will be? I'm particularly interested in Aberdeen.

skipai · 23-05-2007, 08:17

No, I'm from a C&W cable area which NTL got when they took over that business from C&W. I think they mean ADSL and freeview etc. C&W got rid of their cable network years ago, etc.

Techguy · 23-05-2007, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_loblaw

I've just read story here:

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...lass=0&id=2443

Can someone explain to me what this means? Does it mean any area without cable now, but used to be served by C&W will now be able to get Virgin cable?

Are the cables the same? Will it be able to provide the same service?

Does anyone know what areas these will be? I'm particularly interested in Aberdeen.

Go to http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

- put in your details giving a BT phone number - if it says your BT exchange has access to Bulldog LLU, then you'll be able to get Virgin Media via C&W. (When available)

This is because the C&W network provides the bulldog LLU service. The exchanges were unbundled by them and they still hang on to the ownership - bulldog/pipex just own the customers - leaving C&W as wholesale LLU suppliers to the ISP. Similar arrangements will be made with VM.

cheekyangus · 23-05-2007, 08:43

C&W's old cable network was bought years ago by NTL after a bidding war with Telewest.

The article is indeed about using C&W's phone network for ADSL to help them offer all existing services outside of their existing network area.

C&W's current network currently provides internet services for Pipex (after Pipex bought Bulldog from C&W).

I have heard the figure 70% used with regard to C&W's coverage so you'd think a large place like that there is a fair chance of Aberdeen being covered....

Looking at this site it's not so hopeful in the near term considering it appears they've not unbundled any exchanges since 2005 in Scotland and these are in the Edinburgh/Glasgow areas.

Bear in mind this is their unbundled exchanges not an indication of their network coverage.....C&W could cover Aberdeen but just not have connected any unbundled exchanges to their network .i.e they provide phone services but not unbundled internet services.

cheekyangus · 23-05-2007, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techguy

Go to http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

- put in your details giving a BT phone number - if it says your BT exchange has access to Bulldog LLU, then you'll be able to get Virgin Media via C&W. (When available)

Beat me to it I should of kept it short

Techguy · 23-05-2007, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipai

...I think they mean ADSL and freeview...

no - they mean LLU ADSL and paytv, broadband and home phone over that connection. Nothing to do with freeview.

Although VM have, for the interim, launched a Free TV service for those outside the cable network which runs off Freeview. That's different to this new deal for IPTV which won't be available to significant numbers until next year I think.

cheekyangus · 23-05-2007, 10:59

I wonder if they'll still planning on using the Tiscalli TV/Homechoice box cause it's replacement (currently being trailled by some Tiscali TV users) is UGLEEEE (or the link to the manufacturer on the DS Tiscali TV forums is wrong).....especially considering how nice looking their current box is (it looks like a Mac Mini for those of you that haven't seen it).

bob_loblaw · 23-05-2007, 14:17

Sorry I'm not sure I completely understand.

Are you saying C&W cable lines can't provide cable broadband only an ADSL version of it?

Techguy · 23-05-2007, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_loblaw

...Are you saying C&W cable lines can't provide cable broadband only an ADSL version of it?

C&W don't have any "cable lines" in this country.

Cable & Wireless Communications which was an old cable subsidiary of C&W UK PLC, was sold off to the then ntl years ago.

They sold the network aswell as the customer base to NTL which then became larger, and eventually merged with Telewest, afterwhich you have Virgin Media as it is now. As you know, not all of the country was installed with cable tv/phone etc. It is for these unfortunate areas that the new system will try to help. All you will need is a regular BT line connected to an exchange which has been unbundled by C&W UK. (It is safe to assume, all Bulldog LLU areas are unbundled by C&W UK, and so therefore utilise the C&W UK network - which is NOT the same as the Cable network in the UK.

bob_loblaw · 24-05-2007, 08:11

Ok, sorry I just realised it wasn't C&W we had here it was Atlantic cable. It went bust. There are cable lines under Aberdeen that aren't being used, I suspect someone somewhere owns them but has no intention of using them. Surely Virgin Media would want to buy these so they can service Aberdeen?

cheekyangus · 24-05-2007, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_loblaw

Ok, sorry I just realised it wasn't C&W we had here it was Atlantic cable. It went bust. There are cable lines under Aberdeen that aren't being used, I suspect someone somewhere owns them but has no intention of using them. Surely Virgin Media would want to buy these so they can service Aberdeen?

I wouldn't have thought so if you read page 17 of this

Quote:

In the 2000 Annual Report the company indicated that it would not after all be upgrading the cable network due to the potential cost involved.

I'd doubt VM would want another analogue network to upgrade. Considering that, according to people on DS, Southampton still hasn't been upgraded to Digital (and it has a population a little bit higher than Aberdeen, according to Wikipedia).

And if you read the customer figures on the link above it appears Aberdeen doesn't particularly like cable.

bob_loblaw · 24-05-2007, 10:15

I was worried that with there being no cable TV here for such a long time, anyone who wanted digital TV will have already got Sky.

However considering the state of ADSL broadband, I had thought they could easily steal customers away from that, but I didn't realise it was so costly to change the cable lines to be able to carry cable broadband.

Oh well.

23-05-2007, 07:15	#1
bob_loblaw Banned User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,212	Virgin expands by using C&W errr cable? I've just read story here: http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...lass=0&id=2443 Can someone explain to me what this means? Does it mean any area without cable now, but used to be served by C&W will now be able to get Virgin cable? Are the cables the same? Will it be able to provide the same service? Does anyone know what areas these will be? I'm particularly interested in Aberdeen.

23-05-2007, 08:17	#2
skipai Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Havant Services: VM BB XL, Sky HD Posts: 149	No, I'm from a C&W cable area which NTL got when they took over that business from C&W. I think they mean ADSL and freeview etc. C&W got rid of their cable network years ago, etc.

23-05-2007, 08:43	#4
cheekyangus Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Perth, Scotland, UK Services: VM BB, V+/M+ TV & phone. Freesat (indoor dish, no really!!) Posts: 801	C&W's old cable network was bought years ago by NTL after a bidding war with Telewest. The article is indeed about using C&W's phone network for ADSL to help them offer all existing services outside of their existing network area. C&W's current network currently provides internet services for Pipex (after Pipex bought Bulldog from C&W). I have heard the figure 70% used with regard to C&W's coverage so you'd think a large place like that there is a fair chance of Aberdeen being covered.... Looking at this site it's not so hopeful in the near term considering it appears they've not unbundled any exchanges since 2005 in Scotland and these are in the Edinburgh/Glasgow areas. Bear in mind this is their unbundled exchanges not an indication of their network coverage.....C&W could cover Aberdeen but just not have connected any unbundled exchanges to their network .i.e they provide phone services but not unbundled internet services.

23-05-2007, 10:59	#7
cheekyangus Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Perth, Scotland, UK Services: VM BB, V+/M+ TV & phone. Freesat (indoor dish, no really!!) Posts: 801	I wonder if they'll still planning on using the Tiscalli TV/Homechoice box cause it's replacement (currently being trailled by some Tiscali TV users) is UGLEEEE (or the link to the manufacturer on the DS Tiscali TV forums is wrong).....especially considering how nice looking their current box is (it looks like a Mac Mini for those of you that haven't seen it).

23-05-2007, 14:17	#8
bob_loblaw Banned User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,212	Sorry I'm not sure I completely understand. Are you saying C&W cable lines can't provide cable broadband only an ADSL version of it?

24-05-2007, 08:11	#10
bob_loblaw Banned User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,212	Ok, sorry I just realised it wasn't C&W we had here it was Atlantic cable. It went bust. There are cable lines under Aberdeen that aren't being used, I suspect someone somewhere owns them but has no intention of using them. Surely Virgin Media would want to buy these so they can service Aberdeen?

24-05-2007, 10:15	#12
bob_loblaw Banned User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,212	I was worried that with there being no cable TV here for such a long time, anyone who wanted digital TV will have already got Sky. However considering the state of ADSL broadband, I had thought they could easily steal customers away from that, but I didn't realise it was so costly to change the cable lines to be able to carry cable broadband. Oh well.