Virgin looks at London Wi-Fi

[muppetman11]

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/08/01/virgin-looks-at-london-wi-fi/

[Dush]

I'd really like this, I only get 1.5 mbps if I'm lucky on HSPDA with T-Mob.

Ha Virgin saying their network is under utilised in the day but they monitor usage between 9am and 9pm! Why not between 15:00 and 21:00 instead?!

[Ignitionnet]

As I understand it this is only really applying to the Central London area for now.

Boroughs like this one in zones 3 to 5 probably have a way to wait yet!

[qasdfdsaq]

Yeah, it's an interesting idea, and something I've been a bit involved in myself. They announced their original plans quite a while ago (half a year maybe?) and it's good to see some progress towards concrete locations for deployment, even if I'm nowhere near them.

[virginruinedntl]

meh, there is whitespaces 802.22 which can be used when the switchover is finished late next year. the tv transmitters can do 16-22mbps upto 60 miles away. Just have 1 of these towers in london and they will be sorted!

[qasdfdsaq]

Uhh yeah, except it needs to be NLOS and it won't work on your mobile phone too easily.

[Milambar]

I'd be concerned about how exactly they are going to offer this free wifi. All the article says is "exsting infrastructure", which is typical corporate-speak for "we don't wanna say specifics".

My strong suspicion is that "existing infrastructure" means the guest network in the superhubs. While at the moment it will not affect me, since I'm in Manchester, not London, I have no doubt it will roll out nationwide eventually.

Perhaps someone has more information on how they intend to work this?

[qasdfdsaq]

No, they've said before they're intending to install dedicated wireless modem terminals in/on/near/from their street cabinets. They won't be using existing home CPEs, at least they had no plans to do so last time I heard anything.

[weesteev]

No, they've said before they're intending to install dedicated wireless modem terminals in/on/near/from their street cabinets. They won't be using existing home CPEs, at least they had no plans to do so last time I heard anything.

Correct.

[Horace]

Telegraph source also with big smiling Berkett: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/8677182/Virgin-Media-to-take-a-punt-on-free-London-WiFi-network.html. Call me cynical but I won't be surprised if BT/mobile operators somehow manage to block this.

[Dush]

No, they've said before they're intending to install dedicated wireless modem terminals in/on/near/from their street cabinets. .


I hope they start locking them then! There's 3 on my road that are wide open.