The future

[jtwn]

As we know plusnet are rolling out 8mbit in april, but come the autumn when bt afaik, are rolling out 8mbit how will ntl counter this?

NTL have to be able to compete with BT...question is, is the cable system, in its current state, capable of 8mbit nationwide? As they like to be one step ahead, is it capable of even faster than that?

[orangebird]

Until 8meg is available to as many homes as ntl's bb passes, I can't see the problem.

I think it's going to be a very small percentage of BB users that want 8mbit.... The way people on here bleat on about 8meg, you'd think it was the be all and end all of every BB users requirements. And it's not.

[SMHarman]

http://www.rr.com/rdrun/

Roadrunner in the US have just increased their cable ISP service to 5Mbs, being as they are on a similar technology platform it would seem there is scope to remain a step ahead for the forseeable future.

Of course when the limits of twisted pair ADSL and coax are reached, NTL/TW will find a find a Fibre to the Home roll out for LAN speed WAN easier as fibre penetrates further into their network than BT.

I have to agree with OB here - the vast majority of BB users are not interested in an 8M service (as I recall, only about 5 - 10 % are currently on the top 1.5M now).

You also have to bear in mind that having an 8M line does not mean you will get 8M downloads. Very few internet servers have the capability to serve this sort of speed to multiple end users.

[Kevin]

But having the option of 8Mb is a hell of a marketing tool tho!, Ntl were quick enough to send out their press release saying they are rolling out 3mb upstaging BT....., it also keeps the prices in check, 39.99 for an 8mb connection against 37.99 for a 3mb one, which one would you choose ?

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Kevin

But having the option of 8Mb is a hell of a marketing tool tho!, Ntl were quick enough to send out their press release saying they are rolling out 3mb upstaging BT....., it also keeps the prices in check, 39.99 for an 8mb connection against 37.99 for a 3mb one, which one would you choose ?

But I don't need 8mb. So why would I pay out £2 more for it?

[Kevin]

I didnt say you needed 8mb im saying that you will at least have the option, its all about top trumps really, ISP's are always wanting to out do each other for speed, service etc...What im saying is for your extra £2 a month you would have an additional 5mb bandwidth, I would say £2 a month for 5mb extra is a hell of a deal....Whether YOU want it or not a lot of people will take it...

if you used that logic why would ntl have a 3mb connection ?, would it be because people want that extra speed....

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I didnt say you needed 8mb im saying that you will at least have the option, its all about top trumps really, ISP's are always wanting to out do each other for speed, service etc...What im saying is for your extra £2 a month you would have an additional 5mb bandwidth, I would say £2 a month for 5mb extra is a hell of a deal....Whether YOU want it or not a lot of people will take it...

Sorry but we'll have to agree to disagree there. I think it will be a very tiny minority of the bb using public that will want 8meg, or actually have the need for 8meg.

[Kevin]

But having the option would be nice....with ntl you don't have that option. If you take the scenario with the mobile phone companies, why would i for example pay 37.99 for a contract with 200 text message a month and 100 minutes usage when i can get 900 minutes a month with a 1000 text messages for an additional 2 quid...makes it simple really.

[ikthius]

it is a wee bit like a mcdonalds supersize, for 20p extra you get bigger fries and drink, so most people go for it, it is only 20p for extra.

a good marketting ploy, and people who is not that clued up on the internet will probably go for it.

I must admit I am happy with my 750k connection, and looking forward to the increase to 2mb in march, when it gets upgraded, but not looking forward to the cap.

ik

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Kevin

But having the option would be nice....with ntl you don't have that option. If you take the scenario with the mobile phone companies, why would i for example pay 37.99 for a contract with 200 text message a month and 100 minutes usage when i can get 900 minutes a month with a 1000 text messages for an additional 2 quid...makes it imple really.

But there's not point on spending time and money an an option that only a tiny percentage would take. ntl's for the masses.

As for your mobile analogy, no, I wouldn't take 900 minutes and a 1000 text at £2 more, becuaser I know I wouldn't use it. What's the point in paying for something I'll never use? AFAIC, that's just having eyes bigger than your belly. Or more money than sense.

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by jtwn

As we know plusnet are rolling out 8mbit in april, but come the autumn when bt afaik, are rolling out 8mbit how will ntl counter this?

NTL have to be able to compete with BT...question is, is the cable system, in its current state, capable of 8mbit nationwide? As they like to be one step ahead, is it capable of even faster than that?

The other question is whether the BT system is capable of rolling out 8Mbit nationwide. The answer if you don't already know is they aren't. I am sure Chris T would be first in the queue if he thought 8Mbit would be available to him at home but I can't see him queueing.

[Kevin]

Maybe not but you seem to be a little strange....

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Maybe not but you seem to be a little strange....

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by orangebird

I think he is referring to my username. I have just had it changed from ianathuth to ian@huth as some people have difficulty in spelling the original. Does look strange though.