[Update] NTL to buy Telewest
 

There have bee lots of reports in the last few days that ntl and telewest will be merging in early 2005. The first report came in the middle of last week and was in the Wall Street Journal.

Do you all think is a good step for both companies?

http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=4291

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Definately a good idea providing both sections of the network are running pretty similar systems, so we dont end up with the old original and non original ntl areas again.........which I believe they are roughly both using a variation of CR3 on Liberate.

Take the good bits of both and make something better seems the way forward, it seems better to work as one than 2 seperate comapnies doing the same thing in different ways.

Do Telewest still have parts of the network running analogue only like ntl, this is something that needs sorting soon IMO unless it is technically impossible.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

I think it depends who takes control ;)

Telewest are certainly a very proffesional organisation when dealing with engineering issues, but then again I guess they could be dragged down if the power goes the other way.

I expect to hear of big power struggles all over again at all levels of management.

I mentioned in another thread about a month or so, that Telewest Corporate engineering managers were touring around some of the headends. They were apparently carrying out surveys to see exactly what they will be taking on.
It certainly sounded like they are looking to take control of that area.

My opinion having seen the ntl/cwc shambles from an engineering point of view, is there will be an almighty power struggle with everyone stabbing everyone else in the back, redundancies, departments stealing other departments responsibilities amongst all the chaos and further reduction in satisfaction for the customer.

Although I do believe the outcome could be improvements for ntl customers in the long run if everything works out right. It could certainly see some of the poor employees behind the scenes being found out! :rolleyes:

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

If Telewest, probably yes.

If NTL, definitely not. If so, if I was a Telewest customer, I'd be in fear of a sharp plumet in quality of service.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Odd really.

I have a number of friends who live in Birmingham and they think Telewest is absoluteley pittyful compared to my ntl connection and my DTV, I get through to ntl in 10 minutes they wait 15 for Telewest. Unfortunately different franchises on both are totally different, Its a myth Telewest are a better company. The way I see it all coms companies are equally bad....BT, ntl, Telewest, Sky, Pipex, Orange, T-Mobile, O2.

Its luck of the draw really as with all service. I had ADSL it was rubbish, I had Sky....even worse! Oddly enough ntl is quite good in comparison but still not perfect.

ntl like many companies have their problems, but I beleive in recent months ntl with extra money pumped in from external VOD backers have done a lot of work on the network.

I heard the Telewest Corperate Engineering managers were looking around the ntl headends to survey the new equipment installed to provide VOD, something Telewest are unable to offer at the moment.

Is the ntl/excw network still a mess, I dont know I havent seen it, but I am assured that a great deal of work has been done and I can personally see improvements.

Parts of the BT network are a mess I honestly dont think the poles and cable for BT round here has been changed since the 70s or before, and I would expect parts of Telewests Network......which apparently Birmingham was to be a mess too.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

At the moment this is just speculation, and in fairness, there will be different levels of customer service for both companies across the country. IMO it's a good thing whenever it happens, for both companies.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Not just 'both' cable companies but every company ;) offer different levels of customer service. Pesonally my experience of BT would suggest they are the lowest of the low, but others swear by them and their crappy blow a circuit broadband!

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Everybody knows this will happen, we always have. Just a matter of when. Early 2005? possibly, depending on the finances of both companies.

When it comes to LLU did you know that ntl are not putting in any equipment in Telewest owned areas, and vice versa?? That tells you all you need to know.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

the merger is now made easier as they are both listed on the NASDAQ :)

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

The wording of the broadband speed increase announcement from Telewest seems rather odd if a merger is so close. Do you think that the announcement of Telewest PVRs appearing in the second half of next year would mean NTL having similar plans?

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

it appears they (ntl and TW) are competing not for customers but glory - i.e. TW now have the biggest speed tier. perhaps they are out to keep their shareholders impressed!

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Yes. Simon Duffy said last week (3rd Nov) that VoD would launch Q1, with a PVR following in Q3.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

Makes sense really. Would be a trmendous waste of money to Install LLU Equipment in Digital Cable areas.

Its more a matter of When they Merge not If.

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

i think telewests innovative thinking and higher speeds and better service indicate that power will go to telewest. ntl are just gonna sit in the shadows while telewest lead this country to a better broadband britain.
!

Re: Merger happening in early 2005!!
 

dream on......lol... ;)

ntl has a far bigger customer base so i would of thought they will take control (as in Simon Duffy) but you will find some fo the telewest bigwigs stay as well :)