Quote:
Originally Posted by Ignitionnet
BT have, since privatisation, spent tens of billions on broadband networks, core network upgrades, etc and continue to do so while being required to open up these new networks to competitors. By the above argument they should only be required to open up what was there before privatisation. It's not an argument that works and cable has had their own monopoly quite long enough now.
|
Indeed but that is all cable and equipment upgrades, which although expensive is nothing compared to the construction cost of excavating duct networks. And although much money has been spent on the BT 21cn and alike, the Open Reach side of things is relatively unchanged. The Access Ducts (apart form new build ones of course on new developments) Poles, cabinets, and twisted pairs - in most of the country, are still the ones that were put there pre-privatisation all the time ago.
Quote:
The whole point of this is to get at access network ducting regardless of what it's meant for sollp. BT have minimal interest in VM's core network ducting.
It's debatable how much life there is left in VM's CATV network. In some areas it's a steaming pile of poop that hasn't been getting upgrades just analogue switch off and already cable operators are looking at migration strategies to FTTP and have for a while.
|
Opening up VMs access networks would only make sense if there was parity. If VM was to open up their network to BT, BT could pull in FTTH to those premises.
If BT was to offer a similar solution to VM, so that off-net VM could use the BT Access Network to supply FTTH then you could consider it, but you can't because I mention earlier the BT Access Network is, in most of the country, the same as it was in the 60's and 70's and is pants.
The product offered by VM on-net is superior to BT. When VM utilises BTs network off-net it is forced to offer a lesser service.
Therefore, what would be the benefit of VM being forced to open up it's only advantage?
If, as you say, the VM HFC network is on it's arse, that would mean they may need to again invest money on an alternative technology, going forward. Ditching the last leg of Copper and delivering all services through FTTH.