VM FTTP trial Papworth Everard

[Ignitionnet]

Right now I can discuss this as it's out in the open, VM appear to be doing a fairly substantial FTTP trial in Papworth Evarard.

People in the area are reporting seeing microducts appearing at the edge of their properties.

There is no phone service available, presumably due to the cost of the battery back up required to meet the service obligations on telephony, however broadband at higher rates than delivered over the standard cable network and TV should be available.

Onward and upward for VM I hope. Makes a ton of sense to build new FTTP areas and good to see them taking serious steps to trial both potential versions of the technology they can use.

[Kushan]

Oh good! It's about time we started seeing more FTTP, especially from Virgin. Of course it being a trial could mean anything.

Also this is the only real source I could find on the matter: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...lage-fttp.html

[Ignitionnet]

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...2420357/page/4

[Synthetic]

Good news.

Igni, when you mention micro ducts outside the home, do you know if these will be linked to the actual home by more fibre or another way?

EDIT: I noticed on roadworks there's a few areas around me that state VM are installing new chambers, I know the title states papworth but wonder if they're starting to install for this elsewhere too?

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Good news.

Igni, when you mention micro ducts outside the home, do you know if these will be linked to the actual home by more fibre or another way?

EDIT: I noticed on roadworks there's a few areas around me that state VM are installing new chambers, I know the title states papworth but wonder if they're starting to install for this elsewhere too?

The microducts are what carry the fibre, Synthetic.

VM are doing at least one other trial of it, however if you're near an existing network area you're probably getting a normal CATV extension build.

[Synthetic]

My area is covered by CATV so I dunno if they're just adding more chambers for... more customers or something.

I meant how does the fibre get from those microducts to the home? Is it going to be coax again or more fibre / some kind of cat6 to a box on the house?

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Synthetic

My area is covered by CATV so I dunno if they're just adding more chambers for... more customers or something.

I meant how does the fibre get from those microducts to the home? Is it going to be coax again or more fibre / some kind of cat6 to a box on the house?

There is probably no fibre in those microducts yet. When a person orders they attach another duct to that one leading to the property and then get the fibre into the duct.

What is on the end depends on which 'variety' of FTTP they are using.

[Synthetic]

That makes sense, thanks for the explanation.

[Pierre]

I'll have to look into it.

I think it may similar to the build that was done in Haborough and Stallingborough in North East Lincs.

I think it's RFoG. No telco, but that would come later with voice over cable.

Obviously if desired it can be upgraded to GPON in the future.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

There is no phone service available, presumably due to the cost of the battery back up required to meet the service obligations on telephony, however broadband at higher rates than delivered over the standard cable network and TV should be available. Onward and upward for VM I hope.

Wow, perhaps this will see the UK *finally* getting a naked broadband service that doesn't require a phone line.

Then again VM's been claiming that on their DOCSIS cable for years, then charging people more to leave the phone line out...

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Then again VM's been claiming that on their DOCSIS cable for years, then charging people more to leave the phone line out...

It's something I've always thought Virgin was stupid for doing. Why bother forcing the addition of the phone line? They could make a killing targeting those that don't need it and undercut most ADSL providers because people don't have to then fork £15 on top of their broadband cost.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Kushan

It's something I've always thought Virgin was stupid for doing. Why bother forcing the addition of the phone line? They could make a killing targeting those that don't need it and undercut most ADSL providers because people don't have to then fork £15 on top of their broadband cost.

Line rental subsidises broadband and/or increases its profit margin.

Telco line rental is pretty profitable for VM, though they will be wanting rid at some point to migrate to VoIP.

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Line rental subsidises broadband and/or increases its profit margin.

I can't genuinely see any way a broadband connection and a phone line can cost less to provide than the same broadband connection on it's own. At the very least it requires additional powered equipment and more time for installation techs to actually install.

[rhyds]

Any "non line rental" deal will simply be like the "non standing charge" electricity tariffs available. You still pay a standing charge, but its added to the cost of the electricity used.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

I can't genuinely see any way a broadband connection and a phone line can cost less to provide than the same broadband connection on it's own. At the very least it requires additional powered equipment and more time for installation techs to actually install.

Most of the telco equipment is already there, and has been for years. If someone isn't connected to it, then it's sat there costing money to maintain without any return.

Even where a property hasn't had services before, I'd expect the cost of installing a master socket is pretty low in the grand scheme of network costs.

---------- Post added at 09:27 ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 ----------

Anyway, the standalone broadband costs on VM are cheaper than BB + Telco, just not the full difference, as the pricing will be done partly to encourage people to take more services.