With VM getting out of 'content' business....

techguy · 06-06-2010, 16:46

...surely the only logical future for the company's long-term survival, is in a wider expansion of it's network - probably not via the HFC cable route, but via a permuation of LLU fibre i.e. RF over Glass (RFoG) ?

Ignitionnet · 06-06-2010, 16:56

'LLU fibre' if you are talking about what I think you are, PtP fibre, and RFoG are different things. VM have already alluded to this being an option and done trials of a passive optical network strung overhead. There should be some changes to planning rules later this year which will make this more of an option.

jtaylor06 · 06-06-2010, 20:01

Makes more sense now to expand to a few more areas especially if they can do it over the poles, will be less costly too won't it as there will be hardly any digging involved?

Toto · 06-06-2010, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by techguy

...surely the only logical future for the company's long-term survival, is in a wider expansion of it's network - probably not via the HFC cable route, but via a permuation of LLU fibre i.e. RF over Glass (RFoG) ?

It will only be a much wider expansion when cheap money is available. VM are still in debt to the tune of Billions, and with only 150-160M coming from the sale of its TV business, you're not likely to see a massive expansion program for the next 5 years at least, if at all.

Pierre · 07-06-2010, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

It will only be a much wider expansion when cheap money is available. VM are still in debt to the tune of Billions, and with only 150-160M coming from the sale of its TV business, you're not likely to see a massive expansion program for the next 5 years at least, if at all.

Yes they are still in debt, but a recent restructuring of the debt has enabled them to delay payments until 2015, they have also recently paid off a big wedge.

OCF is up quarter on quarter. I agree that it is unlikely that you will see a "massive" expansion program but they will continue to expand modestly.

The scoping report for opening up BTs network was released a few weeks ago, and VM are already undergoing a trial to deliver fibre overhead.

In regards to LLU and RF over glass, Ineveitably the aim would to be to install FTTH and provide all services over IP...... one day.

weesteev · 08-06-2010, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

It will only be a much wider expansion when cheap money is available. VM are still in debt to the tune of Billions, and with only 150-160M coming from the sale of its TV business, you're not likely to see a massive expansion program for the next 5 years at least, if at all.

Expansion has been ongoing for a few years now with the New Build team starting to find its feet. There is a lot going on behind the scenes relating to providing service to New Build sites, Infilling missed areas and upgrading non digital areas.

The company has already stated that growth is its main target, especially seeing the demand for our service from "non cable" areas, it makes sense to really ramp up expansion.

Of course this all takes time and manpower, and we are learning as we go, but rest assured that network expansion is high on the companies list of priorities.

Hope this helps

Airwaves · 09-06-2010, 08:24

What kind of factors determine whether you will be covered eventually or not? Is it all to do with how far away you live from the existing network, or more about your location (for example the number of houses, potential customers etc).

I recieved a letter from Virgin recently trying to get me to sign up to their National service. Don't know whether recieving one of those means I will never be covered or not.

one2escape · 09-06-2010, 22:45

This is a silly move for virgin. We are now entering the stage were content is king. Sky will be offering on demand from there boxes in the coming months through a broadband connection. http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/06/...ng-soon-216193 With the advent of this I am considering going back to sky for there tv service. I have to wait to see how it works though.

Daffy Duck · 09-06-2010, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by one2escape

This is a silly move for virgin. We are now entering the stage were content is king. Sky will be offering on demand from there boxes in the coming months through a broadband connection. http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/06/...ng-soon-216193 With the advent of this I am considering going back to sky for there tv service. I have to wait to see how it works though.

It may well prove to be a silly move but, at the minute, what difference does it make?. I'm an end user as you probably are....i don't care who produces the programme just whether i can watch it or not....and i will be able to....the only thing changing is who owns the production company. So VM are not losing any content....just not making it themselves anymore.

**Maggy** · 10-06-2010, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

It may well prove to be a silly move but, at the minute, what difference does it make?. I'm an end user as you probably are....i don't care who produces the programme just whether i can watch it or not....and i will be able to....the only thing changing is who owns the production company. So VM are not losing any content....just not making it themselves anymore.

Also Sky may just have the money to improve the content because frankly at the moment too many channels are showing the same shows over and over.

v0id · 10-06-2010, 10:29

I didn't think VM were getting out of the content business, only concentrating on their VOD rather than linear TV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Also Sky may just have the money to improve the content because frankly at the moment too many channels are showing the same shows over and over.

Sky also show the same content over and over across [at least] 3 channels.
I also wouldn't be surprised now Lost has ended that they rerun that to death across their 'entertainment' channels, much like they have done with stargate, the simpsons bones and previously star trek (which they have the rights to again now) just to name a few shows.

techguy · 11-06-2010, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

I didn't think VM were getting out of the content business, only concentrating on their VOD rather than linear TV...

By 'content' business, I mean more generally 'broadcaster'.

Though I agree, if the regulatory environment appears to back access to once exclusively held content on another platform, then I can see VM's plan bearing fruit.