NTL engineers performing industrial sabotage: Myth or fact?

[Action Jackson]

When I moved into my property (block of flats), there was cable in the building but I intended to go with freeview and get broadband via a BT line that I had in the flat.

I realised that the aerial connection in my flat didn't work, and after investigation (quizzing the neighbours) I discovered that after NTL entered the building, all the residents analogue connections were mysteriously cut off. Lo and behold, further investigation (trip up to the roof) showed that all the connections had been cut and were left lying there.

Not only that, but when I got BT out to check and activate my phone line (hadn't been active for 3 years, which was when NTL was installed), the engineer discovered that all the BT lines had been cut at the box (it was deemed too expensive to fix it for just one customer). I asked if he thought it might have been industrial sabotage and he just gave me that knowing look and asked "what do you think?".


Does this kind of underhand tactic really go on? Or is it like the Freemasons and is something we shouldn't talk about?

[TheBlueRaja]

I don't know Action, something for you to investigate perhaps? Maybe if you went downtown and spoke to the Mayor, then you'd get some answers.

Actually, maybe this does happen but it will be a minority rather than a majority i think.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

I don't know Action, something for you to investigate perhaps? Maybe if you went downtown and spoke to the Mayor, then you'd get some answers.

'Action' will commence shortly on this matter, but only after a cup of tea, and only if it's not raining outside.

[awibble]

Its seems odd that anyone could cut all the BT cables and let it go 3 years without knowing..... If my BT line got cut before 11pm i would know within minuites.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by awibble

Its seems odd that anyone could cut all the BT cables and let it go 3 years without knowing..... If my BT line got cut before 11pm i would know within minuites.

Everyone switched over to NTL phones at the time (were given special deals to do so - according to my neighbour - who is quite old, but shows no signs of dementia just yet - so is deemed a reliable source).


Must have been to prevent them from going back.


Sneaky devious animals that they are.

[Paul K]

IF they did it.

[goughy000]

when we had telewest installed many moons ago they cut the BT line in our house by the front door

[awibble]

The guy that came here connected into the cables that run to the existing socket, but said he couldnt disconnect BT's and left me with a double plate, the left one is BT but the RIGHT one is virgin...

If the building owner agreed to it, maybe they asked for everything to be cut.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by Paul

IF they did it.

According to the old lady next door then they DEFINITELY did.


This is a woman who survived the war and sports a blue rinse with no shame, so I'm inclined to take her word as gospel.

[darrenj1]

I recently had an NTL engineer to install at my new address (well, it took 4 of them, but thats another issue).

He said that Sky always rip out NTL/VM connections in homes.

He was not impressed, but I suppose they do the same to Sky connections.

They should all get along and focus on services, not stupid things like this.

[WHISTLED]

"what do you think?".

I suspect that response and knowing look were saying "Industrial espionage? What have you been drinking"

Were the flats wired for cable when they were built? ntl didnt do much network expansion in recent years and that includes wiring existing buildings. The flats were probably set up for cable more than 3 years ago.

Does no-body in the building have sky?

[sollp]

Would like to make things clear here, the people you call engineers are in fact installers who work for contractors who in turn work for Virginmedia. They may be wearing the Virginmedia uniform but are not employed directly by Virginmedia.

Over the years you will find that they have installed a phone line and used the existing BT extensions within the property or possibly in the case of flats/MDU have cut off the existing BT cable and used the BT extensions already installed. This i'll be honest has been something i have mentioned before, as to whether they should do it, but am not really sure on the policy, which has probably changed over the years due to different contractors and cable companies polices.

But one thing i do know is, there is no conspiracy to deliberately cut off BT lines with the intention of blocking people from using BT again in the future, more a case of bad working practices.

[kibblerok]

Originally Posted by darrenj1

I recently had an NTL engineer to install at my new address (well, it took 4 of them, but thats another issue).

He said that Sky always rip out NTL/VM connections in homes.

He was not impressed, but I suppose they do the same to Sky connections.

They should all get along and focus on services, not stupid things like this.

The funny thing is, its likely to be the same contractor installing for sky and cable.

[awibble]

i have to say, that the virgin engeneer that came here, didnt touch Sky, or BT.

[concepttwenty20]

they did not touch mine but a friend of mine had his tv aerial cut so they could use the hole for cable