Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed - Page 64

Peter_ · 16-01-2012, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

It would be nice to see Virgin lobby the govt to allow the laying of fibre of cable on cobbled/bricked roads and to just tarmac over the trench instead of having to re-cobble/brick assuming you get consent of the residents on the road that you are digging on. This would allow virgin to roll out cable to alot more customers.

Thety have to reinstate anything they dig up to an as good condition if not better, especially pavements and cobbled roads as otherwise they would receive large fines and bills from the council for reinstating them and the council inspectors are very thorough as they want to fine and bill them if at all possible.

saabmania2 · 16-01-2012, 07:37

can anyone help me, i've got one of these emails but was thinking of upgrading the package to include tivo and 2 extra boxes (rather than the 1 extra i have now) and was going to go on the VIP 50 deal now would i still get the speed upgrade if i moved package?

Peter_ · 16-01-2012, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabmania2

can anyone help me, i've got one of these emails but was thinking of upgrading the package to include tivo and 2 extra boxes (rather than the 1 extra i have now) and was going to go on the VIP 50 deal now would i still get the speed upgrade if i moved package?

Whatever package you go onto will be automatically upgraded for free some time over the next 18 months.

virginruinedntl · 16-01-2012, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

Thety have to reinstate anything they dig up to an as good condition if not better, especially pavements and cobbled roads as otherwise they would receive large fines and bills from the council for reinstating them and the council inspectors are very thorough as they want to fine and bill them if at all possible.

i realise this, thats why virgin should lobby the govt so that if the residents of the road are happy for the area that would be dug up to lay fibre to be tarmac'd then that should be allowed to happen, the council shouldn't have any say as they don't live on that road. Alot of people in britain would love cable and aren't bothered by a 30cm or so wide tarmac line on their pavement where the cable/fibre goes under.

Peter_ · 16-01-2012, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

i realise this, thats why virgin should lobby the govt so that if the residents of the road are happy for the area that would be dug up to lay fibre to be tarmac'd then that should be allowed to happen, the council shouldn't have any say as they don't live on that road. Alot of people in britain would love cable and aren't bothered by a 30cm or so wide tarmac line on their pavement where the cable/fibre goes under.

It would cost billions and anywhere that has pavement or cobbles has to be reinstated as tarmac would never be suitable.

virginruinedntl · 16-01-2012, 11:33

i'm not saying upgrade all of britain lol, just where commercially viable and where customers have asked for cable. Why wouldn't bricked/cobbles roads be suitable? surely you just lay the optical fibre on a pipe and then fill in the hole tarmac?

BenMcr · 16-01-2012, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

i'm not saying upgrade all of britain lol, just where commercially viable and where customers have asked for cable. Why wouldn't bricked/cobbles roads be suitable? surely you just lay the optical fibre on a pipe and then fill in the hole tarmac?

If they do it in the roads, why shouldn't Virgin be allowed to do that at customers properties. Much easier for them then relaying a block paved driveway.

I'm sure all those customers would much prefer to have a strip of tarmac down their drive

Pierre · 16-01-2012, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

It would be nice to see Virgin lobby the govt to allow the laying of fibre of cable on cobbled/bricked roads and to just tarmac over the trench instead of having to re-cobble/brick assuming you get consent of the residents on the road that you are digging on. This would allow virgin to roll out cable to alot more customers.

Wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.

---------- Post added at 12:06 ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

the council shouldn't have any say as they don't live on that road.

The council are responsible for mainaining the public highway.

Bitmac reinstatement to a modular surface wouldn't be suitable for several reasons, including the lack of a uniform leading edge, and a uniform surface.

The bitmac on the surface and around the edges would break away, water would get in the joints and as soon as winter comes the frost would break the bitmac up.

So no it wouldn't work.

Kushan · 16-01-2012, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

i realise this, thats why virgin should lobby the govt so that if the residents of the road are happy for the area that would be dug up to lay fibre to be tarmac'd then that should be allowed to happen, the council shouldn't have any say as they don't live on that road. Alot of people in britain would love cable and aren't bothered by a 30cm or so wide tarmac line on their pavement where the cable/fibre goes under.

For one, I think you underestimate just how many people would prefer to keep their cobbles than have superfast broadband - I mean, didn't you hear about how much grief BT got just for putting some green cabinets on the streets? never mind digging them up and laying Tarmac on top of them.

Plus, there's plenty of areas that are commercially viable for Virgin to roll out on that don't require dealing with cobbles - Virgin has several reasons for not really rolling out much atm.
I'm hoping these major upgrades are a precursor to some major expansion, but we'll see what happens.

Also, I'm dropping the "free or not free" debate as I was simply pointing out that one person's definition of "free" is not the same as another's. I think I've made that point and there's little sense going around in circles about it. Perhaps I'm just cynical but there you go!

mark1234 · 16-01-2012, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

BTW, what have BT done recently? I don't recall them offering their entire customer base double speed.

A friend of mine has BT broadband. They called him up over Christmas and offered Infinity for the same monthly charge as he was paying for ADSL. He lept at it and they installed it just before New Year.

The call centre girl was clear that she couldn't say it was "free", just the same price as he was already paying.

Kymmy · 16-01-2012, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1234

The call centre girl was clear that she couldn't say it was "free", just the same price as he was already paying.

Still though a different product and probably a brand new contract locking him in for another year. Hardly free at all.. Totally different to this scenario where there's no new contract.

Peter_ · 16-01-2012, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan

Also, I'm dropping the "free or not free" debate as I was simply pointing out that one person's definition of "free" is not the same as another's. I think I've made that point and there's little sense going around in circles about it. Perhaps I'm just cynical but there you go!

This has nothing to do with you by the way.

But when people answer comments about the free issue some clown comes along and post utter drivel and they know who I mean as I expect do many others.

What is even more strange they do not post about the other people posting similar comments, now if that seems odd to you does it not make you wonder what kind of agenda they are on.

AndyCambs · 16-01-2012, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

If they do it in the roads, why shouldn't Virgin be allowed to do that at customers properties. Much easier for them then relaying a block paved driveway.

I'm sure all those customers would much prefer to have a strip of tarmac down their drive

Or across the lawn....

Nicosia · 16-01-2012, 14:22

Sorry Kymmy I did not find this thread before.

So what I understand is that the updates will be automatically? but if I want to upgrade now to 50 some one has to come to my house?

RichardCoulter · 16-01-2012, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

i realise this, thats why virgin should lobby the govt so that if the residents of the road are happy for the area that would be dug up to lay fibre to be tarmac'd then that should be allowed to happen, the council shouldn't have any say as they don't live on that road. Alot of people in britain would love cable and aren't bothered by a 30cm or so wide tarmac line on their pavement where the cable/fibre goes under.

I don't think it would be allowed because of aesthetic and historical reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan

For one, I think you underestimate just how many people would prefer to keep their cobbles than have superfast broadband - I mean, didn't you hear about how much grief BT got just for putting some green cabinets on the streets? never mind digging them up and laying Tarmac on top of them.

Plus, there's plenty of areas that are commercially viable for Virgin to roll out on that don't require dealing with cobbles - Virgin has several reasons for not really rolling out much atm.
I'm hoping these major upgrades are a precursor to some major expansion, but we'll see what happens.

Also, I'm dropping the "free or not free" debate as I was simply pointing out that one person's definition of "free" is not the same as another's. I think I've made that point and there's little sense going around in circles about it. Perhaps I'm just cynical but there you go!

I think that's a reasonable analysis and a sensible decision