Quote:
Originally Posted by m419
I read something about the ex-BT franchises and they are apparently not copper cable but mostly aluminium and there is no return path which is why it is difficult for both parties to upgrade them.
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No sorry this isn't true.. a lot of these myths have propagated online but if you check the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) online, you'll see MK and Westminster were both upgraded to broadband, return path capable networks.
This is why, over the ex-BT Westminster cable, you can order Virgin Media Cable Broadband without any trouble.
Also, Milton Keynes and Westminster are both HFC networks - aluminium doesn't come into it! The myth about aluminium came about as BT installed alu for their telephony twisted copper pairs, in only 2 estates in Milton Keynes. But this alu network was not the same wire used for tv!
In anycase, those aluminium areas have since been overlaid with copper at great expense.
I would think that if Virgin Media were to replicate what they offer to Westminster ex-BTCable customers, in Milton Keynes, then a future where the current cable tv service was sent down the same broadband portion as IPTV, would become a distinct possibility.
HD IPTV over DOCSIS broadband? Why not? Suddenly, an opportunity can be seen for lots of money to be made from these two large franchises. When it comes to telephony, they could always do wholesale line rental over the BT lines.. so they woudn't even need to install new cable phone lines... saving even more money.
BUT..... back on track to the thread title .. what on earth is VM doing in Central Milton Keynes - it's obviously been formally registered with the council as a 'trial' according to the link in my first post.. the plot thickens. If only they would announce something formal - like they did with their other trials in Cornwall, Berkshire and Kent!