NTL to test broadband TV platform

[andygrif]

Originally Posted by Womble

I think, and I am only thinking out loud here so bear with me! BT are about to start something called 21st Century Network, and one of their partners is NTL. Its aim is to have fibre to the home by 2006 (yes I know what u are going to say!). BT are spending billions on this!. They plan to do VoIP, Digital Telly and Internet access via fibre. BT have the money, NTL has the duct in place, and agreements with content providers aswell as an existing method of broadcast.
Meanwhile, They are also looking at Digital TV down DSL. This fits in with the artical. We all assume the broadband was via the HFC network, but with local loop unbundling NTL could selll DTV to people not on franchise via ADSL.

As I said, I amybe barking up the wrong tree!!

BT are in a far stronger position to do this than ntl. They already have relationships with many large content providers (News Corp is far better freinds with BT than the cablecos) BT also has a rather large stake in YesTV, which is in effect doing what you talk about above, and they have a little thing called money, which is quite important when it comes to digging roads up again.

To be fair, ntl have been aware of this for some time (there was always a time when BT were not allowed by law to enter the TV market) and they have tried to position themselves as an all-rounder offering a strong (sometimes) broadband offer. Of course BT will be like-for-like with the cablecos when they enter the DTV market.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by andygrif

BT are in a far stronger position to do this than ntl. They already have relationships with many large content providers (News Corp is far better freinds with BT than the cablecos) BT also has a rather large stake in YesTV, which is in effect doing what you talk about above, and they have a little thing called money, which is quite important when it comes to digging roads up again.

To be fair, ntl have been aware of this for some time (there was always a time when BT were not allowed by law to enter the TV market) and they have tried to position themselves as an all-rounder offering a strong (sometimes) broadband offer. Of course BT will be like-for-like with the cablecos when they enter the DTV market.

I think Bt will be in a very strong position, and will probably end up taking the lead in this market.

BT have the ability to upgrade their infrastructure while ntl are battling to keep their heads above water, BT went through the restructuring and redundancy phase years ago, ntl are still not out of this cost cutting phase so they are in no position to compete.

BT could now take advantage of the situation, I always thought they were guilty of sitting back and doing nothing but nows their chance to take the market by storm.

[Womble]

21st Century Network IS BT building a new infrastructure. They are still ****ed off at the LLU program being forced upon them, so they are going to build a new network!. That way no one can lay claim to it in the future. This includes VoIP switches/ fibre to the home etc. Then Freeserve/AOL etc etc can fight it out over the antiquated copper network!
ntl are definatley partners in this venture! I know this to be fact!

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Womble

21st Century Network IS BT building a new infrastructure. They are still ****ed off at the LLU program being forced upon them, so they are going to build a new network!. That way no one can lay claim to it in the future. This includes VoIP switches/ fibre to the home etc. Then Freeserve/AOL etc etc can fight it out over the antiquated copper network!
ntl are definatley partners in this venture! I know this to be fact!

I heard very much the same about ntl/BT and thats what my friend in ntl thought it was all about, it is just the bits about set-top boxes that are confusing. I guess its a case of someone releasing a statement and getting the facts all jumbled up.

from what I understood ntl and BT are teaming up to provide internet TV, ntl will have access to off-net BT customers under this deal, so presumablt BT will have the same access to ntl customers. I wouldn't be suprised though if the two products are delivered via different methods and thats where the confusion has crept in.

I also heard about senior Telewest engineering people looking around ntl headends over the last couple of weeks and the VOD product was being dicussed, perhaps there will be an announcement about that soon.