[binary]

Originally posted by Dr. Plummer
This is a discussion forum not a slanging match.

Absolutely. I take a somewhat different approach to this than undisputedtruth and rippedoff. I think it is helpful having NTL 'insiders' on the forums.

I too am frustrated with NTL, but I think some of that frustration comes from my dealings with them at the time of the 'ntlworld unmetered internet for ex-C&W customers' fiasco.

I pointed that out on this NTHW.com thread (post #11), of which this is an excerpt:

Originally posted by binary on NTHW.com
I think I know where the hostility to NTL has come from though. NTL used the excuse that their phone lines could not support ntlworld unmetered dial-up, at least to me.

Which was a lie. The phone lines could support internet dial-up, but NTL hadn't sorted out sufficient interconnections between the C&W and the NTL networks, or sufficient dial-up capacity.

To me (and others) it seemed like they were playing a waiting game, with the intention of trying to get London customers straight onto broadband without giving us unmetered ntlworld dial-up.

If they had given us broadband then, then we'd all be happy.

Instead they eventually, reluctantly, let us ex-C&W Londoners onto ntlworld unmetered (at the time it was still free), though they tried to avoid it (they failed to send out a sign-up CDROM until hasseled). Then, as soon as we had unmetered ntlworld for free, an announcement was made that NTL was to start charging for it.

There was so much subterfuge from CSR's at this time, many many NTL customers I know became very peeved. There were many outright lies told.

And it seems that we're getting more promises that eventually we'll get broadband. I wish NTL would just admit that, in all likelyhood, many areas in London will not get broadband for a long long time. And they'll only get it after some expensive network upgrades have been carried out, including rewiring under streets.

In post #60 did take Mark W to task on his comment that this issue had been done to death.

Mark W's response to that was perfectly reasonable:

Originally posted by Mark W (post #63 of this thread)
oh, and for what it is worth, i fully agree that ntl sould give a clearer idea what areas will, might and wont be getting bb in the near,middle and distant future. however, i draw a line at it being a 'conspiracy'

The questions I have asked have not so far been answered, which is why I think this is still a live issue. However I accept that many NTL 'insiders' such as Mark W and orangebird simply don't know the definitive answer to that. Mark W has made this clear here:

Originally posted by Mark W (post #23 of this thread)
To be honest, i cant answer that. not WONT, cant.

I fix peoples connection to the internet, sort their pc settings and help with their email and webspace - and a few other bits and bobs.

I'd probably be the last person to be told about whats being done in london, and i certainly dont know what is being planned.

As im not in control of the facts, im not prepared to speculate, sorry binary

They are good enough to provide us with information they know about.

It'd be great if someone on this forum was able to answer the questions I posed in post #60. But accept that it's possible no-one here can, and as in the case of micaAB (post #43) I know I'll be able to get broadband when I'm sold it (and it's been succesfully installed).

Much of these communications problems are the fault of NTL management. At the end of the day though, there is no conspiracy to deny Londoner's broadband- it is, after all, where NTL will be making a lot of their money. NTL, however, is in a bad financial position to invest much money in comprehensive network upgrades, at least for the moment.