ALL Virgin / NTL merger discussion

[injuneer]

It's on again !!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/03/ntl_virgin/

I don't think it was ever off, just in the background while the TW merger took place.

[Chrysalis]

after seeing mick clearly still is able to contact ntl in the shaping thread, I wouldnt mind ntl been asked the reason why they think its more important and benefical to their customers to spend 900million buying virgin mobile then to invest that amount in their network.

I would assume 900mill investment could go a long way in removing most congestion on the 10meg service, increase peering particurly in the eu, and give them enough capacity to allow http to be uncached.

[Chris Norris]

Most of the money will actually be in the form of shares, giving Branson a 13% stake in the new company.

There will be a few hundred million in cash involved, but the way large companies work this isn't just money sitting around that can be spent on other things. Investors are interested in "operating profits" which would not include money spent on acquisitions, which would appear as one-off charges in the accounts. Essentially, if the money were spent on upgrades it would reduce the perceived* profitability of the core business while this would not.

* of course we could argue ntl will need to invest in hardware in the long-term in order to remain profitable, but unfortunately this is the state of anglo-american corporate governance.

Chris

Deal Done!

BBC

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

after seeing mick clearly still is able to contact ntl in the shaping thread, I wouldnt mind ntl been asked the reason why they think its more important and benefical to their customers to spend 900million buying virgin mobile then to invest that amount in their network.

I would assume 900mill investment could go a long way in removing most congestion on the 10meg service, increase peering particurly in the eu, and give them enough capacity to allow http to be uncached.

To enable them to offer quadrouple play, to give them an edge over Sky and other service providers.

Also to take on the Virgin brand (which wont happen until January 2007) and shed the ntl/telewest stigmas.

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

after seeing mick clearly still is able to contact ntl in the shaping thread, I wouldnt mind ntl been asked the reason why they think its more important and benefical to their customers to spend 900million buying virgin mobile then to invest that amount in their network.

I would assume 900mill investment could go a long way in removing most congestion on the 10meg service, increase peering particurly in the eu, and give them enough capacity to allow http to be uncached.

Most NTL broadband customers will not notice any problem with their service so why spend a large sum of money upgrading when they could use it to fund buying Virgin. Rebranding NTL as Virgin could attract many new customers which would mean more cash to invest.

I can see a time coming when it would be foolish for NTL to invest in upgrading the present infrastructure. The restrictions that are there at present will probably mean a different means of broadband delivery.

[Womble]

Please see article below............................

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1746469,00.html

Sorry put this in the wrong forum should have gone here http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=10

---------- Post added at 10:18 ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 ----------

Originally Posted by MrBen

Indeed, ntl:/TW employees in the new business may even get a Tribe card which gives them discounts off products/services in the entire Virgin group of companies... a nice perk

Ben

Wouldn't be too sure as its only Virgin Mobile NTL have bought, and leased the anme "Virgin" for 30 years
So technicly, we are not merging

Originally Posted by Womble

Please see article below............................

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1746469,00.html

Mr Branson will become the largest shareholder in the newly merged company, taking a 10.7% stake, and have a representative on the firm's board.

Could be the best thing that's happened.

[thelem]

Originally Posted by Womble

Wouldn't be too sure as its only Virgin Mobile NTL have bought, and leased the name "Virgin" for 30 years
So technicly, we are not merging

Do current Virgin Mobile empolyees get Tribe cards? If so, Virgin Vision employees will probably get them, and tribe will probably offer a discount on cable services.

[etccarmageddon]

Originally Posted by Womble

Wouldn't be too sure as its only Virgin Mobile NTL have bought, and leased the anme "Virgin" for 30 years
So technicly, we are not merging

the companies are merging it's just the brand name is leased because it's such a valuable brand name. the assets are merged.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Could be the best thing that's happened.

Or they could do as they have with every other company they have eaten up!

Originally Posted by Shaun

Or they could do as they have with every other company they have eaten up!

You pessimist you..I have faith in Richard...

[etccarmageddon]

a pointless merger in my opinion. linking up with a mobile company to offer 4 play. erm pun not intended! I like my NTL cable modem, sky for tv and orange for phone. nothing would take me into having a virgin mobile from ntl.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

a pointless merger in my opinion. linking up with a mobile company to offer 4 play. erm pun not intended! I like my NTL cable modem, sky for tv and orange for phone. nothing would take me into having a virgin mobile from ntl.

I wonder...will they give a discount to those existing customers who will end up having the 4-play, like I will