Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Daily Telewag; "Virgin Media is exploring what would be a historic takeover of KCOM, the monopoly telecoms provider in Hull, in an attempt to accelerate its network expansion programme.

The cable operator, controlled by US billionaire John Malone, is considering a bid to add KCOM’s 200,000 “full-fibre” broadband lines to its network, according to multiple sources."

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Interesting. Is KCOM up for sale or is it a hostile bid?

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Looks like a hostile bid to me.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

They only give part of the story unless you register with them. That's all the info I have, sorry. Didn't want to link to a part story.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

From what l can ascertain about Hull and its broadband.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Here is the story on pressreader...

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-s...81505047472782

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

I wonder if they would use the existing infrastructure (assuming it's done the way that BT do it), or if they would start to cable their newly aquired customers??

I know that the local authority owned it, not sure if they still do or not. If so, it's a good time to try and buy it whilst councils are so cash strapped after losing Government grants (northern councils have lost out more with the cuts according to this mornings political programmes). This might make them more open to selling the company.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

It’s an interesting one. KCom sold of their national network and metros to Cityfibre a couple of years ago.

But what they have been doing in Hull is rolling out FTTH for some time.

If they bought it, and i’ve Heard nothing about it - however LG will have some cash when the VF deals in Germany go through, and Mike Fries has intimated the money would be potentially spent on UK acquisitions - it makes sense. They’ve been looking at Hull for sometime in regards to Lightning, problem is they have some Network North Lincolnshire but nothing really in the East Riding. Ideally they would connect Hull via Scunthorpe and Leeds They could get fibre across the Humber Bridge but then it’s a long way to West Yorkshire.

If they were thinking of bringing Lightning to Hull, makes sense, and probably cheaper, to buy the incumbent.

I can see this happening.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

The LA sold off their shares a few years ago.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Very interesting read as a number of friends live in Hull and suffer from poor speeds also there is no LLU as BT are not in the core areas only the outskirts . Virgin Business have a lot of circuits in Hull on Kcom tails back which to go back to a point where it jumps onto Virgin network . when cable my street was running I know there was some interest . City fibre are busy doing a metro wifi in areas .

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Virgin has quite a presence over there now and I do believe Virgin have run a fibre up to Beverley. I do know Virgin have a link across the Bridge already from Barton to do with MS3 Networks who are based in Hessle. BT even have an operations centre at Willerby so there is the connectivity there. BT have quite a presence in Carr Lane (KCom HQ) when I was working over there last year and I was under the impression BT owned part of them now.

Interesting times ahead in Hull, will be watching it with interest from the other side of the water.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

Virgin has no presence in Hull, they have not run a fibre up to Beverley and they don't have a fibre across the Bridge.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

That site is horrible, how does anyone read anything on it. I gave up.

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

I read it on an iPad Pro, and it’s fine on that (example attached).

Re: Virgin Media possible takeover of KCOM?
 

I get a massive pop-up covering about 3/4 of the page saying "download the App".

... or another one bleating on about "Try Premium for Free". Dreadful.