Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

With regards to the thread about expanding the Virgin Media network. Wouldn't it make sense to cut out Westminster,Milton Keynes and any other ex-BT cable franchise from the picture?

Virgin Media pays a huge lease for these franchises yet they remain useless and in some cases obselete. People pay £4 per month for this and its mostly for those who cant get an aerial or any dishes, each of these franchises has around 20,000 to 60,000 paying customers, it is possible to view basic channels for free by simply inserting the coaxial cable to the TV as this was the procedure in the early 90's. Therefore, it is costing money to maintain and supply the service and network.

An idea would be to offload them back to BT,BT could then use them to supply residents and businesses High Speed broadband and replace BT Vision in those areas with Digital and Analogue Cable TV similar to Virgin Media.

All these stupid laws and regulations are blocking Virgin Media and residents making the switch to Digital and is also dragging house prices down,in Westminster they have strict rules about aerials and dishes,also reception is very poor.

Did you know many people are unable to view the following TV channels in Westminster?

BBC 3
BBC 4
Sky 2
Sky 3
Sky Movies (All channels)
Sky Sports 2 (All channels will cease by June 2009)
Sky Sports news
Sci-fi
MTV Dance
MTV R
MTV Base
MTV 2
VH1 Classic
Flaunt
Bliss
Vault
BubbleHits
Jetix
Euronews
TV5
B4U
Star
SETA
Animal planet
Discovery Travel
Discovery Science
Diva TV
FX
History channel
the box

And few more,

Reason being:

Virgin Media not able to broadcast them via analogue anymore
Residents not able to get Sky
Residents not able to Freeview

It is possible in some houses to get Tiscali TV,however subscription to Tiscali broadband and a aerial is needed.

Its just a shame BT keeps mucking about,either upgrade it or get rid of it!

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

crazy world we live in, but hell, if its bothering people that much, then its the people that can make a difference, talk, complain, sort it out, or move. thats only my opinion.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Well in Westminster, they are upgrading 2MB broadband customers to 10MB later this year according to the upgrades website, this currently includes Marylebolne. So this is a sign that Virgin Media intends to keep the Westminster and Milton Keynes franchises up and running and modernised.

However, to allow Digital TV may include digging up the streets,Westminster council is very strict on this, and BT wants that big fat cheque for it all.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

I have been told by one of the guys in the new Virgin Media shop in Leicester that they are upgrading the network in the LE3 area of Leicester "before the end of the year".

If it happens is another matter entirely! It wont come soon enough to dump BT and their crappy ADSL excuse for broadband!

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

You sure you can't get Virgin Broadband now? Some Analogue only areas do offer Broadband.

Although you cannot order online,you have to telephone Virgin Media sales.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

No we can only get analogue TV. I think we cant even order that now.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

It is happening right now, so keep your eye on the postcode checker.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

I assume that this involves network hardware upgrades?

Should we see contractors in manholes/cabs during the upgrade?

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Yes and yes.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Thanks, Ill keep a look out!

Any ideas of timescales?

(I have major issues with a very dodgy BT ADSL line that they cant/wont fix, so the sooner the better!)

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Not really. Keep checking the postcode checker.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Are you sure?

When I asked the people in the shop a few months back, one person confidently stated the LE3 area was being upgraded in the next month, only for another to overhear and step in to say the next year.

I have even e-mailed virgin about this which included this response:

Thank you for your letter which we received on 23 July 2009, concerning the availability of our digital television service at your property.

I am really sorry for any inconvenience this situation may have caused you. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to provide this service to your geographical area. I do not have a definitive date that I can give regarding this.

I've just moved and the aerial in my new house is shot. I don't want to spend over £100 on getting a new one installed if cable tv is only months away...

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

It came from a reliable source, but it's not a small job and probably will take several months.

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

will your source give any hints on the next franchise they're likely to go to, after Leicester?

Re: Virgin Media expansion and Analogue services
 

Bolton, IIRC