NTL and Telewest to merge
 

Just a quick breaking news update (I've only known for the last hour - oh the excitement!!), NTL and Telewest are to merge!!! :shocked: :shocked:

http://www.exthus.co.uk/

Have fun guys, we've got a great few months ahead (and apologies if I've put this in the wrong place!). :D

Re: NTL and Telewest to merge
 

been touted about for a while , but finally something appears to be happening :erm:

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Yep it comes from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...602381,00.html

Whether it's true or not, pass.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Selling Flextech is not a good move. Other than that, I welcome it finally happening, assuming the Sunday Times has got its facts straight (it is a Murdoch-owned paper after all!)

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Well, if duffy takes the hot seat it will be interesting to see if blueyonder can remain uncapped after the merger.

For merging of products I see capping blueyonder more likely then uncapping ntl.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Wouldnt that uncapped and capped idea be more of a viable plan? Wondering whether the bb speeds would be regionalised?

I mean, i thought ntl were trying to amalgamate the products (making bromley look more like langley?). I mean its not like they are going to bring down by's 4mb tier and rubbish all the testing of higher speeds, etc.?

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Well they could keep current packages and list like this
(only 2 prducts as example I dont know all telewest)
1 - 3mbit
2 - 4mbit

(please note that 4mbit been available is dependent on region capacity, caps may also be applied depending on capacity)

then they just sell 4mbit in telewest areas.

They more or less do this now with digital tv, digital tv is advertised everywhere but some areas still cant have it.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

I really can't see them not giving the same broadband offerings in every area - marketing would be a nightmare, otherwise.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

They can market it in all areas (subject to availability).

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

NTL bring a new meaning to postcode lottery :D

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

What [new] meaning :confused: Just like all other BB suppliers, they cannot provide what is not physically available/possible in certain areas.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

I could point you to the United States, and indeed Canada where different areas of the same ISP offer different internet packages depending on the network that is present there, indeed some areas offer TELCO return (cable modem downstream, dialup modem upstream) while others might have 7Mbit/768kbit 2 way cable modem service, and all for similar prices. That's an extreme, Roadrunner, Comcast, Time Warner all offer different internet speeds in different areas.

Perhaps we should do that too.. where networks we inherited were of a high quality up the speeds and where they are of a less decent quality maintain or drop them... but then going by the BT / LLU saga people complain when they can't get what the person in the next town can as far as internet goes, even if they live in a small village.

I'm all in favour of offering different rates in different places myself, marketing is all on speeds of 'up to' so it'd be cool. However the whinge factor may win out over this one.

Also... you guys are jumping the gun, there's a hell of a lot to be done before the companies can even consider presenting themselves as a single brand.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

Well I see it like this.

You can have the technology everywhere to provide say the 8mbit, and give every customer the option of digital tv etc. But due to local conditions such as distance you might not get the full speed, that I can accept.

However, say a different scenario where the telco doesnt even bother to have the technology in place in a given area so noone in that area at all can have certian products or speeds then this I wouldnt accept and is a different matter, thats what I mean by postcode lottery.

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

NTL flogs Irish cableco

NTL has flogged its cable business in Ireland, fuelling speculation that it is clearing the table to begin merger talks with Telewest.

Yesterday evening the cableco announced it had sold its Irish business to UnitedGlobalCom for â‚ ¬325m (£222m) . MS Irish Cable Holdings, a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, will hold the stake on UGC's behalf, until the deal gets regulatory clearance.

...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05...reland_to_ugc/

Re: [Merged] NTL & Telewest Merger
 

That's already being discussed here: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=22574