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Originally Posted by andygrif
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Originally Posted by BBKing
The other reason could be that with ntl/TW already struggling to compete with BT/Sky, any change that costs ntl/TW time and money isn't going to help healthy competition. I've no doubt that, if ntl/TW get into a good financial state, they'll be forced to open up (essentially as BT has done). Until then, no chance. Anyway, it's technically bloody difficult.
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It was pretty difficult for BT too, as well as financially dangerous, which is why they ran interference and delaying tactics for many years before being forced into action.
Just becuase a company is not financially sound (which is very much a situation of their own making) is not a reason to not regulate. |
If that company then folds as a result of regulating that market, then, regardless of whose fault it is, the amount of competition in the market is reduced, which is against the point of regulating the market.
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Originally Posted by BBKing
On the other hand, there's no chance that Sky will be forced to give up its monopolies on football etc. or allow other organisations to use its satellites, unless the EU force them. Mr. Tony is too much Mr. Rupert's little friend.
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You should bear in mind that Sky does in fact open up its network to competitors, technically. They are very cheeky in the way they do it, by charging astronomical amount of money for using their conditional access module, which then prevents anyone from doing it, but it is technically possible to run competing services on the Sky platform.
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If I understand Satellite Technology correctly, Sky actually have no control who broadcasts on Astra satellites (and, therefore, can broadcast to Sky dishes). They do have (and exercise) control over who appears on the EPG, and in their packages. In this way, TBH, they open their platform as much as NTL do the DTV platform. In short, with both platforms, anyone with access to the right facilities, people and cash can set up their own channel on either of the two platforms.
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Originally Posted by Chrysalis
Its not something that will bankrupt NTL, the competitors will have to pay NTL a price which NTL will choose for the ability to use NTL's network, it will just mean their will be reseller's of NTL's services.
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AOL already do this, so obviously, NTL are willing for other companies to access their network given the right price.