The London Broadband Situation - Page 2

hawkmoon · 29-03-2004, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntluser

I was just interested to see if the plans which Chris Collinson outlined on NTHW.com had been implemented and if all the areas he mentioned were now receiving broadband. I was also interested to find out if regular London campaigners like RippedOff, Inkblot, Hawkmoon and others had, after all their work (and mine!!) finally got the service they were after.

.

I gave up waiting, went back to BT (taking my phone with me) and got ADSL - which I am very happy with.

It seems very unlikely that NTL will sort the issues for a very long time.

bigitup_j · 05-05-2004, 19:42

Quote:

The first quarter increase in profitability is particularly encouraging since it occurred at the same time as we continued to invest in initiatives to drive additional revenue growth and margin expansion in 2005 and beyond. These initiatives include upgrading 545,000 homes served by our London network, thereby enhancing our broadband and television capability;

that is from the ntl press release HERE

so ntl will be upgrading London THIS year...because ntl wants the improvements by 2005 and beyond...

so it's very good news for Londonites.

Neil · 05-05-2004, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigitup_j

that is from the ntl press release HERE

so ntl will be upgrading London THIS year...because ntl wants the improvements by 2005 and beyond...

so it's very good news for Londonites.

Just how many customers does ntl have on it's London network? (far more than the 545,000 quoted above I'll bet

)

The situaltion hasn't changed-when people refer to 'Broadband from ntl in London' they are referring to the areas in West/North West London (Ealing/Acton/Harrow etc) which were originally ex 'Videotron' areas, & were very poorly/cheaply built.

It'll be a cold day in hell before anyone gets ntl BB in those areas, believe you me.

bigitup_j · 05-05-2004, 19:54

i think ntl has just 25% penetration in London (compared to 55% in teeside).
out of 545,000 households (i swear there's more than that in london!!)
so there's just 136,250 customers. i'm sure there are more.

probably the areas that cost more that ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£1,000 to upgrade are left out!

but, who knows, maybe ntl will do something. maybe we've underestimated ntl...

Neil · 05-05-2004, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigitup_j

but, who knows, maybe ntl will do something. maybe we've underestimated ntl...

They won't do anything-they can't afford to, it's simply not worth their while.

I saw the plans for those areas, & a projected cost/return plan, & it just was not feasible in any way, shape, or form.

Sorry ex Videotron peeps, if you want BB, you better get xDSL.

SMHarman · 05-05-2004, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolking

Maybe if NTL hadn't gone on their spending spree in the 90s, and decided to take their time in acquiring the franchises, I reckon they would have had enough money to give London broadband.

Maybe they should have just bought the London Franchises and totally upgraded the network in London then stood back and wait for the money to roll in and then buy other franchises when they could afford them.

Or perhaps the finger of blame should more fairly be pointed at Videotron who knowingly built their cable network on the cheap planning to sell it on at a huge premium before the problems came to light. I'm sure the Videotron backers are doing very well for themselves these days.

Neil · 05-05-2004, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Or perhaps the finger of blame should more fairly be pointed at Videotron who knowingly built their cable network on the cheap planning to sell it on at a huge premium before the problems came to light. I'm sure the Videotron backers are doing very well for themselves these days.

You are right-to a degree.....

Let's not forget that ntl have been promising BB in these areas for years in the knowledge that it will never happen, just using it as an excuse to sign up people for TV/phone packages.

Let's not forget....

ntl BB in W/NW London-Coming soon.

Free dial up in ex Cable & Wireless areas-Coming soon.

It was wrong then, & it is wrong today-believe me when I say.....

The rot starts at the top.

Chrysalis · 05-05-2004, 22:57

neil how do you know so much when you dont work for ntl?

Neil · 05-05-2004, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

neil how do you know so much when you dont work for ntl?

Because I know many people within ntl, & also from running NTHW.com.

Stuart · 05-05-2004, 23:06

Actually, poolking, SMHarman & Neil, I think it's a combination of all three.
If NTL hadn't gone as far into debt as they did taking over the cable companies, they would have had more money for upgrading.
Videotron did build a cheap and minimum quality network

NTL should not have advertised the service years before it becomes available.

Neil · 05-05-2004, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

Actually, poolking, SMHarman & Neil, I think it's a combination of all three.
If NTL hadn't gone as far into debt as they did taking over the cable companies, they would have had more money for upgrading.
Videotron did build a cheap and minimum quality network

NTL should not have advertised the service years before it becomes available.

No m8-ntl should not have advertised it.

End of story.

Stuart · 05-05-2004, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

No m8-ntl should not have advertised it.

End of story.

Err, that's part of what I said.. Maybe I should have phrased it as "NTL should not advertised a service where it is not available".

I was also pointing out that IF either of the other two were not true, NTL may very well have had the ability to supply the service...I was actually agreeing with all 3 of you.

& I know for a fact that Videotron built their networks cheaply..

altis · 19-05-2004, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Keep your eyes open for UK Broadband (AKA Pound Radio and PCCW) who recently won many of the 3.4GHz wireless broadband licences.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communicatio...9149852,00.htm

Here it comes:
http://www.netvigator.co.uk/

ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£18 pcm for 512kbps down and 256kbps up.
ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£28 pcm for 1mbps down and 256kbps up.

macuser_e7 · 20-05-2004, 15:26

Given the near-100% gross margins available from supplying broadband, especially when delivered via STB where there is no incremental capital cost, I am surprised no-one at NTL can put together a business case for upgrading the ex-Videotron networks.

bigitup_j · 20-05-2004, 17:07

ntl are planning to upgrade London now. not upgrading mind you, just planning...
ummmm