NTL Cable Broadband Areas

[rrmarriott]

Hi,

Im new to the forum.......Had a quick search for this topic but couldn't find it so hope i'm not duplicating..:-)

Is there any way that I can find out whether the cable services from NTL will be installed in my street within the near future? My postcode is M204SG if that helps. It's quite annoying as I live in Manchester and assumed that I would be able to receive the same cable service as I received last year whn I lived up the road! I was pleased with the service that NTL provided last year, and don't really want to change!

Cheers for any help,
Rich

[Nemesis]

Neither NTL or Telewest have any current plans to extend the network, however if the street is already cabled, you may be in luck ... ring 0800 052 2000, and ask

[Paul K]

According to the service checker you can only get the Freedom service at that postcode but the checker has been known to be out of date now and then. Any of your new neighbours got any NTL services?

[rrmarriott]

Guys,

Thanks for the prompt replies! I phoned the number and the guy said nope, sorry basically for my street. Bit of a disappointment really, but sh*t happens!

Can anyone recommend a good broadband service over a BT line? I was looking at BT Broadband....

Thanks for the help,
Rich

[MovedGoalPosts]

Please have a look in the "Alternatives to NTL/ Telewest - other ISPs" for suggestions for ADSL services.

[Chrysalis]

note: not all ntl cabled areas supply broadband it isnt universal coverage.

[zaid786]

what about if an ntl engineer tells u during ur installation, broadband is comin soon and uve had the service for more then a year and still no broadband? any chances of it becomin available?

[MovedGoalPosts]

"coming soon" is unfortunately an bit of a joke in ntl circles. In simple terms it can mean someone agrees it's a good idea, they would like to do it, but nothing has been set in stone that it is going to happen.

[ian@huth]

Some areas such as LE3 were cabled in the early days when the number of TV channels were never expected to be what they are today. Broadband via the same cable was not considered either. A further problem was that the ducting and equipment used only catered for the number of properties thought to be in the area. With many older, bigger properties being sub-divided into flats it meant that there were far more properties than had been planned for. Thus the entire infrastructure in those areas needs modifying or replacing which is both costly and time consuming. The added problem is that certain work can only be carried out during short periods through the night so as not to impact on existing customers services. Properties in this type of area may have cable running past the front door but there may not be physically enough room in the ducts to put further cables. It will take a very long time and considerable expense for such areas to be brought up to full operational capability.

[Chrysalis]

On the broadband problem, here is what I dont understand. It is clearly possible to provide broadband in an analogue area since I have it, the 2mbit service works quite well. My sister lives only a 10minute drive from me and has the same tv service but has no broadband in her area, I would take a guess the ntl infrastructure in her area is the same so whats the magical missing piece of the jigsaw?
__________________

Originally Posted by ian@huth

Some areas such as LE3 were cabled in the early days when the number of TV channels were never expected to be what they are today. Broadband via the same cable was not considered either. A further problem was that the ducting and equipment used only catered for the number of properties thought to be in the area. With many older, bigger properties being sub-divided into flats it meant that there were far more properties than had been planned for. Thus the entire infrastructure in those areas needs modifying or replacing which is both costly and time consuming. The added problem is that certain work can only be carried out during short periods through the night so as not to impact on existing customers services. Properties in this type of area may have cable running past the front door but there may not be physically enough room in the ducts to put further cables. It will take a very long time and considerable expense for such areas to be brought up to full operational capability.

Understood, what isnt understood is there is no planned date in place it is as if ntl are writing it off.

[zaid786]

yee my sister lives just 5/10 minz away from me aswell but she has ntl broadband in her area and i dont hav it in mine which i dont understand...surely if she has cable broadband available it shouldnt take that long to bring up the neighbouring areas up to speed? on a website looking at area's wer ntl provides broadband london should have broadband would that include all of london or just some areas? :S

For others who need up to date info on what's available to them, try this:
www.samknows.com
Click on availabilty, and it lists what you can get at your location.

[zaid786]

that website samknows.com is entirely accurate when it comez to ntl cable broadband availability due to the fact that when i enter a post code wer i no for a fact some1 i know has ntl broadband the website says its not available..so how can i know if its gonna be accurate for me? however everythin for ADSL is perfect.

the samknows site is run/operated by a guy at university, done by himself alone, just for the joy of helping others who need to know what's available to them.
If you find what you consider an error, you can use the email me section under news, firefox centre headlines, on the main samknows page.

[scrotnig]

You want broadband over a BT line, I heartily recommend you use BT broadband.

Same goes for the phone service - keep it with BT if you can't get a cable phone line.

Most of these third party broadband, line and calls providers will cause you no end of grief. They lack the expertise of BT.