Blog Archive - February 2010

Friday, February 26th 2010

When it comes to fibre optic broadband in the UK, Virgin Media has always appeared to be one step ahead of the rest of the market. While BT has just launched its Infinity platform offering speeds of up to 40Mbps, its rival is already aiming higher.

The company has announced plans to begin the introduction of a 100Mbps broadband service, the fastest commercial product in the UK, by the end of 2010. A new flagship product for the firm, it has been created for people who want the best quality service possible.

Virgin Media stated that the move would mean it has increased its top broadband tier from 20Mbps to 100Mbps in less than two years.

Wednesday, February 24th 2010

The past week or so has seen high-speed broadband enjoy the highest amount of coverage it has seen in recent months.

From suggestions that satellites could hold the key to upping speeds to plans to launch wireless networks in business parks, an increasing focus appears to be put on the value of fast internet services.

While wireless and satellite technology have emerged as options, fibre optic broadband services remain the hot topic in many areas across the UK.

This week alone has seen communications firm Fibrecity confirm to the Bournemouth Echo that its efforts to launch a city-wide high-speed network are on track and could be completed by the start of next year.

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010

When Virgin Media announced the launch of its new fibre optic broadband service for businesses, it claimed that the only plan it has is to provide a clear alternative to rival BT. The revamped version of ntl:Telewest Business will run from 40 offices across the UK and hopes are high that it could enjoy major growth over the next few years.

However, what does the rest of the market think of the proposals? And is it likely that the company's plans will succeed?

Talking to CRN, Paul Lawton, managing director of Opal, said the move represented "nothing more than a rebrand".

He added: "Ntl is recognised as an established provider of networks.

Monday, February 22nd 2010

It seems that Virgin Media's offer of fibre optic broadband, home phone and digital TV services is proving irresistible to many Brits, if reports on the company's latest trading results are anything to go by.

The Daily Telegraph has revealed the company will announce later this week that 14,000 new customers signed up to its services in the fourth quarter of 2009, which helped to raise total revenues to £963 million.

However, could there be better things to come? The company is reportedly close to agreeing new deals with record labels such as Sony, Warner and EMI, which will see content from the firms added to its forthcoming music download service.

Friday, February 19th 2010

What's in a name? Well, BT obviously thinks there is something, as it chosen to change the titles of its range of dual-play home phone and broadband bundles.

Get Connection, Home & Away and Unlimited have been scrapped and in their place have come Talk and Surf, Talk and Surf Plus and Talk and Surf Unlimited.

However, anyone who thinks their broadband deals have just been given a fancy new title will be happy to hear there has also been a slight rejig in pricing.

Talk and Surf is priced at £7.49 a month for the first three months and includes 20Mbps broadband, a 10GB download allowance and unlimited weekend calls in the UK.

Thursday, February 18th 2010

The announcement that broadband provider TalkTalk is now offering free calls to over-65s just for a chat has unsurprisingly raised a few eyebrows.

While many would regard the launch of the free We'll Call You service as a positive step and an effort by the company to show its caring side, a more cynical view is that the firm is simply using the project as a profile-boosting stunt to gain more subscribers.

Another opinion could be that the company is muscling in on areas which are usually the primary concern of charities and social services.

However, Mark Schmid, communications director of TalkTalk, has stated that the company is simply responding to a "need which is not currently being met".

Tuesday, February 16th 2010

While many households are asking for increasingly faster broadband connections, some of the biggest benefits of using fibre optic network technology could be felt by businesses.

Two recent interviews – one with an MP, the other with an industry commentator – have highlighted how companies will get a major boost when widespread fibre optic broadband services are launched across the UK.

Talking to eGov Monitor, Adam Afriyie, shadow minister for science and innovation, claimed such web platforms will boost competitiveness.

He added: "Our aim is to create the best possible environment for businesses to succeed.

Monday, February 15th 2010

Over the last few years Virgin Media has proven itself as a serious contender in both the fibre optic broadband and digital TV industry. However, has the company's latest jibe against BT put such progress in jeopardy?

The decision to get 13 models to stand outside BT Tower displaying a mocking message about the quality of its rival's connection speeds seems a bit cheap, particularly as it was spelt out on the groups' behinds.

Is this the right way for such a company to act? Well, Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media, suggested there was a message behind the tabloid-esque 'cheek'.

Friday, February 12th 2010

Despite being best known for its search engine, global technology firm Google continued its efforts to diversify into other areas this week with the unveiling of plans to launch fibre optic broadband services.

While it is not the first time the company has moved away from its search roots, the move is one that has caught the imagination of many web commentators across the globe.

Under the plans, the new trial service, which will be used to consider how internet technology can be improved, will deliver connection speeds of up to 1Gbps to potentially 500,000 people in the US.

Ian Paul of PC World has claimed in a column that he is unsure what the aim of the service is.

Thursday, February 11th 2010

A number of options are available to businesses looking to take up broadband services, but Virgin Media is set to crash the party with its own revamped offering.

Virgin Media Business, which was formerly known as ntl:Telewest Business, has been established to allow the company to expand its fibre optic broadband services out of the consumer market.

One of the competitors that Virgin Media is looking to take on with this service is BT, which launched its own new business broadband platform at the end of last month.

Virgin Media has claimed it is upping investment in its network and creating new functions, which will make its own business offering a "clear alternative" to its broadband rival.

Wednesday, February 10th 2010

For the past few years, the world of fibre optic broadband has been dominated by the likes of Virgin Media. Earlier this year, BT joined the exclusive club with the launch of its Infinity service, but its latest plans look set to be potentially market-changing.

Earlier this week, BT's chief executive Ian Livingston told the Financial Times that it has been talking to Ofcom about potentially opening up its underground infrastructure for rivals to use.

It is thought that such a move could allow companies to lay cables without having to dig up pavements.

Monday, February 8th 2010

While the relationship between different internet service providers can be pretty frosty at times, there are signs that the issue of fibre optic broadband provision could bring them closer together.

The Financial Times has revealed that BT is considering opening up its own underground network of tunnels to rivals, which would then be able to run their own super-fast services through the ducts.

Such a move would be a big boost for many broadband providers, as they would be able to avoid the potentially costly task of digging up pavements to install such networks.

Fees would be involved in the offering, which would be used to boost BT's introduction of a high-speed broadband network.

Friday, February 5th 2010

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and broadband and digital TV provider Virgin Media is giving couples the chance to get their hands on a range of romantic entertainment.

With many restaurants and hotels hiking up their prices around February 14th, and most places being packed with other couples, a cosy night in, in front of a rom-com could be the ideal way to enjoy a low-key Valentine's Day.

Virgin Media's on-demand service will be showing a number of romantically-themed TV episodes and films over the coming weeks, including Head Over Heels, Love Actually and episodes of Gossip Girl, Friends and ER.

Tuesday, February 2nd 2010

While all of the recent fuss in the digital TV world has been about Sky's 3D channel, Virgin Media has issued a timely reminder to consumers that its own broadcast platform still exists and can offer them benefits.

The company, which also specialises in fibre optic broadband and home phone services, has revealed that its on-demand platform enjoyed a record-breaking 2009, with over 750 million views.

Over 59 per cent of the firm's 3.7 million TV customers are now regularly using the service to catch up on programmes from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Living.

In addition, the service racked up 76 million views in December alone, which suggests things can only get better for the company in 2010.

Monday, February 1st 2010

Despite Sky's best efforts, it seems the jury is still out on the company's hugely anticipated 3D digital TV service.

Previewed yesterday (January 31st) in nine pubs across the UK, the decision to broadcast the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United in the format was described by the match commentator Alan Parry as "television history".

However, initial reports suggested that the service did not have the massive impact that Sky was hoping for.

Writing for technology website T3, Kieran Alger said the broadcast "wasn't bad, it just wasn't brilliant".

He explained: "The early close ups of the teams lining up and Sky's excellent graphics suggested real promise.