[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by popper

anything they might authorise today would be using this cheap yet capable DS2 tryed and tested chipsets/SOC so not a problem there.

Yes the DS2 kit is fine for the current services. But you would either have to pay again for DS3 kit if you upgraded to 50Mb or have the same argument all over again.

the UK standard 12 months return to vendor would apply i guess, or far more logical VM could be the agent or the supplyer and charge the current going rate for callout and swap so making profit there.

That would be good in theory, but can you imagine the number of times people would go 'I can get a free modem from Sky if I change, so I want a free one from you'? Happens enough as it is at the moment for wiring visits

so realisticly, Vm could offer to do a hybrid deal, rent the 255 and also offer them the ability to use the payed for kit on say the 4Mbit package at a reduced rate, so they both win.

VM get 1 rented 255 and and say a 10/20Mbit fee, PLUS say a 2Mbit fee for leting them use their payed for kit at whatever max its capable of after its put on a 10Mbit package for instance assumign the old 4Mbit doesnt exist in the current billing system anymore OC, again it comes down to assuming the new accounts package remember, can actually allow for this new future custom package billing month on month and not get confused about more than one single CM on the account

Again with the multiple modems . As I have said before, I'm not against the idea in itself, I just think Virgin currently have bigger fish to fry. Also you are assuming that Virgin woud reduce the cost of the second connection because you are using your own kit? Why? The only ISP I have found that offers multiple connections 'A Roomate Account' in the US charges full price for both connections.

if we move on to today and think about these select tryed and tested DS2 chipsets/SOC 3rd party buy it and remove the rental charge packages, anything goes as it can do any speed upto the current 20Mbit/768Kbit and its return to vendor how ever that provides the required one off profit margin and ongoing monthly service rental etc

What makes you think the rental charge would change? If you look at the ADSL market, no mainstream ISP reduces the rental charge if you don't use their kit (tho I think there are a few bare wires ISPs that charge you extra if they supply kit, but that's not the same thing)

before anything was put in place and made official the execs and techs should come on here and ask what people might like to do and pay for so we can find the best agreed current kit for the potential official long term (2/3 years outright then look again) endorse.

With all due respect, this forum is hardly representative of VM's general customer base. People on here are fairly technically aware, so the concept of 3rd party kit is fine.

Most of Virgin's customers never have the need or desire to play about the swapping a modem. Even for the people on here, it is more of a 'because I want to' rather than a need to do it.

an official 11n with 1gig-4 port router might be a nice thing to endorse for the longer term if VM arnt ready to poke 3rd partys vendors to produce an official VM endorsed DS2/3 wired 1 gig router/CM/STB that you can buy or rent as you see fit and even have it added to your monthly bill in 2 or 3 payments with an extra % on top to allow for installments so people dont have to lay it out all i none go.

Again, you premise is based on the idea that Virgin would reduce the rental if you purchased your own equipment. I don't see any reason why they should, so you would end up having to pay more to purchase a modem or modem-router, and I doubt many people would actually do that