Cable Forum - Virgin Media to build again

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- - Virgin Media to build again (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33700100)

Horizon

13-02-2015 19:42

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet (Post 35759120)

Andrew at Think Broadband is going to run the data over the weekend.

If VM are targeting 60% coverage the need to pass about 4.4 million more premises.

---------- Post added at 19:29 ---------- Previous post was at 19:13 ----------

Have to correct myself. If the build is all going to be so close to existing network rather than actually building out to adjacent areas some of the premises will probably be fed from the existing coaxial network.

I was, it seems, optimistic. Only building within 50m gives a big FTTPR vibe and continues to leave me bemused as to why it would be so expensive. I was quoted £600-ish per home passed for an entire estate.

Have a listen to the webcast yourself, the key bit on this is around 0.48.55 minutes into it and let me know what you think. Fries is not being entirely clear, yet if you read between the lines, he is.

---------- Post added at 20:42 ---------- Previous post was at 20:41 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Banana (Post 35759118)

New housing developments and MDUs are also part of the plan from what I can gather.

They will def get a FTTP service.

Gavin78

13-02-2015 19:48

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Kick in the teeth for those VM employees that lost jobs though

Mr Banana

13-02-2015 19:57

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35759137)

I thought he mentioned FTTP but I listened live so may have miss heard

Horizon

13-02-2015 20:10

Re: Virgin Media to build again

...you did not mishear:

Quote:

Originally Posted by roughbeast (Post 35759136)

Perhaps then, if you think it is s bit expensive for more of the same network architecture, VM are seriously thinking of something closer to FTTC. This would leave them able to offer FTTP at a price, but cheaper than if they tried to offer it to residential customers and small businesses from the node.

I reckon that's the "between the lines" I was talking about and is my take on, ie VM moving to a more FTTC type service.

Here's the direct quote from Fries when asked about how they'll build out the infill:

"...it is an evolution of the current infrastructure as opposed to a wholesale change to the current infrastructure. So, fibre will be deeper and you know in many cases right to the premise. Erm, but we do think that docsis 3.1 and the advantages of that will be substantial across that."

"...they'll be no copper....largely fibre..."

So, my opinion on this as well as doing the infill, they'll do a few upgrades to the existing network with some areas getting a FTTC or FTTP service.

---------- Post added at 21:10 ---------- Previous post was at 21:00 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin78 (Post 35759141)

Kick in the teeth for those VM employees that lost jobs though

3000 axed, according to Fries.

Mr Banana

13-02-2015 20:13

Re: Virgin Media to build again

The results and this announcement have landed well with the investment houses, share price up 5.5% today.

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35759144)

...you did not mishear:

I reckon that's the "between the lines" I was talking about and is my take on, ie VM moving to a more FTTC type service.

Here's the direct quote from Fries when asked about how they'll build out the infill:

"...it is an evolution of the current infrastructure as opposed to a wholesale change to the current infrastructure. So, fibre will be deeper and you know in many cases right to the premise. Erm, but we do think that docsis 3.1 and the advantages of that will be substantial across that."

"...they'll be no copper....largely fibre..."

So, my opinion on this as well as doing the infill, they'll do a few upgrades to the existing network with some areas getting a FTTC or FTTP service.

---------- Post added at 21:10 ---------- Previous post was at 21:00 ----------

3000 axed, according to Fries.

Is that 3000 across LG, thought it was 600 in VM?

tvtimes

13-02-2015 20:15

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35759144)

Wasn't the majority of redundancies (I say redundancies, but actually a lot were on temp contracts so weren't technically made redundant) call centre and tech support staff? Sent to offshore, rather than actual engineers? Whereas I imagine most of these new positions will be engineers.

---------- Post added at 21:15 ---------- Previous post was at 21:14 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Banana (Post 35759148)

The results and this announcement have landed well with the investment houses, share price up 5.5% today.

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------

Is that 3000 across LG, thought it was 600 in VM?

No, that was top and middle management jobs.

Horizon

13-02-2015 20:25

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Banana (Post 35759148)

All in VM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes (Post 35759150)

It wasn't stated who lost their jobs, they always refer to job losses as "headcount reduction". Nice and cold phrase. It would make more sense to sack the offshore call centre staff who are poor and have more staff here, but the Indians are 90% cheaper...

Kushan

13-02-2015 20:26

Re: Virgin Media to build again

So 4million homes, 40% penetration on that, average RGU of £45 per user...

That works out at £864million per year, give or take. Given Virgin's current penetration and average RGU, those figures are a little bit conservative but that seems like a good investment really.

1andrew1

13-02-2015 21:06

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet (Post 35759120)

Andrew at Think Broadband is going to run the data over the weekend.

If VM are targeting 60% coverage the need to pass about 4.4 million more

Your figure of 4.4m clearly works based on VM's figure of 29m premises and existing coverage of 13m premises currently passed. Is the 60% coverage definite? Maybe the 0.4m will come from new build and the existing network extension, afterall we're talking about five years into the future aren't we?

qasdfdsaq

13-02-2015 22:52

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhyds (Post 35759008)

TBH I don't think anyone can truly expect VM to perform any major rural buildouts as the finances simply don't add up. It is great news to see them in a position that allows them to plan urban infill and buildout mind.

And yet they're specifically trialling new methods to deliver rural fibre more cost-effectively...

http://recombu.com/digital/article/v...dgeshire-trial

tvtimes

13-02-2015 23:49

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq (Post 35759180)

And yet they're specifically trialling new methods to deliver rural fibre more cost-effectively...

http://recombu.com/digital/article/v...dgeshire-trial

Exciting stuff! It's going to take years to deploy and I don't see how their debt constraints are going to help with the matter, they simply haven't got the money to enable a full scale role out anytime soon as far as I can see? It's a shame someone can't come along and wipe the slate clean so they can start afresh and investing in the future of our country. But this and their new roll out announcement is a step in the right direction for sure.

Sirius

14-02-2015 06:38

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by sollp (Post 35759135)

And on top of a good bonus

And what a bonus :D

Mr Banana

14-02-2015 07:01

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes (Post 35759194)

What debt constraints? LG are incredibly good at managing debt and raising finance. In the last 18 months alone, they have bought VM for 16billion, Ziggo for 9.4 billion, 481 million for stake in ITV, 183 million euros sorting out some competition stuff in Germany, announced 3 billion VM investment and on top of all that they are in the middle of a 3 year plan to buy back 6.5 billion dollars worth of shares.

Yes they have loads of debt but it's mangagable debt

They are very canny in what they invest in and even if the slate was wiped clean, I doubt they would invest in rural areas.

Pierre

14-02-2015 09:13

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35759157)

All in VM.

? When.

There were 600 mainly management roles went about a year ago.

And many of those were given fantastic packages

I'm pretty sure if 3000 had gone I'd have remembered it.

Ignitionnet

14-02-2015 10:11

Re: Virgin Media to build again

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35759107)

Bit more info on VM's plans courtesy of Liberty Global's investor relations page.

From page 8 of this slide http://www.libertyglobal.com/pdf/pre...tion-FINAL.pdf
The 4m premises targeted will be less than 50 metres from VM's network and two-thirds are less than 20 metres away.

Okay! There are about 0.7 million premises within 20m of existing network so best guess is that these distances refer to where builds are to start. So you have a 1,500 premises estate and the edge is within 50m the build starts within 50m.

Makes sense to me anyways. Sadly suspect I am still out of luck but c'est la vie. :)

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