Sky calls for access to cable network

BenMcr · 19-03-2009, 17:31

Couldn't find a thread on this already - sorry if there is one

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03..._virgin_media/

Sky has called on the government and regulators to open up Virgin Media's infrastructure to competitors, claiming it will speed roll-out of high speed broadband services.

In its response to Lord Carter's interim Digital Britain Report, Sky said it was "increasingly anomalous" that the cable network is closed to competition while BT's infrastructure is not.

chuzzlemonkey · 19-03-2009, 17:32

Well of course they want access to the cable network - because theirs in naff

I'll rephrase..

Theirs is MORE naff! lol

TheRising · 19-03-2009, 17:37

I could not see this happening at all Virgin media would fight this all the way tpo the high court and beyond

well if they last that long lol

Far superior Broadband service

19-03-2009, 17:42

Think ofcom have already discounted any such idea,sky keep floating this idea prmerily in the sky basics saga, where they said they would if vms cable system was opened up,sell their channels direct to vms customer base.

The truth is sky would just use it to muscle in and try to kill any idea of a medium size company competing in any way,Good for sky bad for customers.

chuzzlemonkey · 19-03-2009, 17:42

As far as I remember this was bought up before by BT and it was thrown out then. Which ultimately led to them unveilling their own plans of fibre optic cabling.

Jonnymeg · 19-03-2009, 17:47

Could VM be forced to do this?

I was under the impression that BT were compelled to do this as BT was created and run under public ownership. Taxpayers money?

VM has always been a private venture.

kesterwww · 19-03-2009, 18:02

How much of the cable infrustructer is actually fibre optic? Does it run right into our homes?
And is it the same cable which was originally layed back in the mid 90's?
Anyone know?

Arthurgray50@blu · 19-03-2009, 18:06

This is not a bad idea, don't forget, Sky already have Tv channels running on the cable network via VM and other cable companies, so l cannot see any problems, and they could be even better.

Don't forget also, that we already have water, gas, and electricity coming through the same pipes, and we are already changing companies, so why not Sky on the cable network.

Jonnymeg · 19-03-2009, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

Don't forget also, that we already have water, gas, and electricity coming through the same pipes, and we are already changing companies, so why not Sky on the cable network.

Because the pipes are owned by the National Grid / Transco and not by the providors of your gas/elec. They are simply a delivery agent.
VM own the 'pipes' and would not want to share as it would be to the detriment of their own business.

**Chris** · 19-03-2009, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesterwww

How much of the cable infrustructer is actually fibre optic? Does it run right into our homes?
And is it the same cable which was originally layed back in the mid 90's?
Anyone know?

VM's network is fibre as far as the big cabinets that serve whole areas of a town; these are called nodes. From the node to the local street cabinets is coaxial cable, from the street cabinets to the subscribers' houses is coaxial cable.

Sky is just playing cheeky games with VM, as is their way. You would have thought, after being ordered to sell its shares in ITV and performing a major u-turn over the Sky Basics channels, they would be a little more circumspect. But no. Idiots.

sparky621 · 19-03-2009, 18:11

I don't see why VM couldn't be forced to do this.
My Gas supply pipework was installed by Elf Gas so they own it. I don't pay Elf for my gas though as I have used my right to go else where. I do, however, have to pay an additional fee via my supplier for them to "use" Elf's pipework.
The same could (and should) apply to VM. All the other utility suppliers share networks so why shouldn't telecomms share their fibre networks?

BenMcr · 19-03-2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesterwww

How much of the cable infrustructer is actually fibre optic? Does it run right into our homes?

It is fiber up to a big cabinet somewhere near your house and then co-ax past that

Quote:

And is it the same cable which was originally layed back in the mid 90's?
Anyone know?

Some of it probably is - but as with everything it gets replaced when needed

Turkey Machine · 19-03-2009, 18:12

If there was a national company to rival VM on "their" network, it would indeed open up competition. I for one would LOVE to see Sky put out a 10Mbit service with a high upstream, proper hardware in the exchanges, up to date CMTS's, and see how Virgin Media fare after Sky take the bulk of their customers!

chuzzlemonkey · 19-03-2009, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkey Machine

If there was a national company to rival VM on "their" network, it would indeed open up competition. I for one would LOVE to see Sky put out a 10Mbit service with a high upstream, proper hardware in the exchanges, up to date CMTS's, and see how Virgin Media fare after Sky take the bulk of their customers!

Always nice when somebody wishes a company to go under

19-03-2009, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkey Machine

If there was a national company to rival VM on "their" network, it would indeed open up competition. I for one would LOVE to see Sky put out a 10Mbit service with a high upstream, proper hardware in the exchanges, up to date CMTS's, and see how Virgin Media fare after Sky take the bulk of their customers!

Or indeed how their customers fare when sky having sucessfully shut down the opposition then raise the prices without much fear of customers leaving. And please do not say you could go to bt, as where i live the best they can offer is 1.5 mg which is pathetic cable broadband really is the only game in town.