Virgin 'to replace TV platform' in 2009

Virgin Media is planning a new phase of its IPTV-powered high definition trials later this year as part of a plan to replace its existing digital cable television service in 2009.

The cable operator is looking for subscribers in parts of Kent to sign up for the trial of what it has called "next generation television".

Last year, Virgin began transmitting Voom HD channels to trialists in the region via broadband internet. The upcoming trials will be a continuation of this work, the company told DS.

Virgin Media chief executive Neil Berkett told investors last week that he wanted "next generation" delivery and conditional access systems to be rolled out on its network in 2009 and 2010.

He said the ongoing switch-off of analogue cable was part of the process: "Not only do you get the bonding advantages of DOCSIS 3.0 (the cable transmission standard), you get the bandwidth freed up. So in that respect we don't see ourselves as being bandwidth constrained.

"We can see us completing that journey through 2008 and 2009 as well as replacing our television platform in 2009 and 2010, and moving to next generation TV, next generation conditional access systems."