[Merged] 100Mbps alternative to virgin

[Florence]

After reading the news of an ISP laying fibre via the sewers perhaps this is a method Virgin could use to increase their coverage of teh UK for less costs than digging up roads.

UK ISP Ask4 has teamed up with H2O Networks in order to utilise sewer networks for extending its broadband coverage:

H2O Networks' revolutionary Focus (Fibre Optical Cable Underground Sewer) System allows organisations to use the UK's sewer system to set up their own secure IT and telecom networks with unlimited bandwidth.

Jonathan Hudson, managing director, Ask 4 comments: "With increasing business and consumer demand for up to the minute methods of communication and with increased understanding of convergence and its benefits, organisations are increasingly demanding greater bandwidth. We knew that fibre optic cabling would provide this bandwidth, but wanted a cost-effective way of doing this."

The cost advantages of H2O's network means that not only is it cheaper to install, but it offers a fixed term cost rather than bandwidth tariffs. The bandwidth is hugely scalable and so will cope with the evolution of technology and the capacity this will eat up for the foreseeable future. The deployment process is a least 80 per cent faster than traditional methods, resulting in operational networks within weeks rather than months. Every city and town has ready-made ducts that can be used without causing disruption.

An additional advantage is that the cables lie at depths of up to 5m below the ground, compared with 450mm for conventional cables, making it far more secure, particularly in disaster recovery situations.

Elfed Thomas, managing director, H2O Networks comments: "Our Focus system offers both public and private sector organisations a cost-effective alternative to the traditional method of deploying fibre cable. It offers a fixed term cost rather than bandwidth tariffs, so that when extra capacity is needed, it's there, and the business doesn't incur further connection charges."

Unfortunately residential coverage is limited to a number of luxury city-living developments in Sheffield and Leeds. However those able to receive it can get speeds of up to 25Mbps for £60 per month. The provider’s business packages remain elusive.

The extra coverage will perhaps help to force prices down again and give Virgin faster speeds for all.

ispreview.co.uk

[Paul]

Just think of all the c**p that you could download

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by Paul

Just think of all the c**p that you could download

Wouldn't fancy 'uploading' any of it though.

[chamoan]

phone convo - I cant hear what your saying, must be some sh*t on the line, now that would take the p!ss.

[grimwau]

Would each toilet have its' own IP address so if you did get an infection from any downloads you could use the sanitation department's own version of WHOIS to trace the culprit.

[smucks]

Where's there's Muck there's money

[Nedkelly]

What a great idea it would mean to get to another town you would not have to dig up all the roads But as we know it will never get used

[Florence]

maybe if people in the right places suggest this as a way forward you never know.. Lets face on ISP is using it and Virgin has franchise on areas not cabled.

[Numenor]

Would they have usage limits? Cos I can't hold it in for long...............

[NTLVictim]

It's a good idea, it just needs to be put into motion.

Just heard that Richard Branson has poo poo'd the idea.

He said it would be too much of a drain on resources.

[shadyrome]

Are they planning it?

[NTLVictim]

Or maybe panning it?

[papa smurf]

David Haselhoff Advertising Poopex Broadband Maybe

[Nikesh]

Joking aside, it would be a great way for Virgin Media to expand their cable lines.