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Virgin Media Moots UK Cable Broadband Expansion via BT Ducts and Poles

Cable (DOCSIS) operator has big ambitions for the future, with a brand new 100Mbps (download) broadband ISP service due to launch before Christmas. They also have 200Mbps service trials, upstream 20Mbps trials, plans to offer 400Mbps in the distant future (here) and may now be seeking to expand their network by using BT”s own telegraph poles and cable ducts.

In fact is already working with Surf Telecoms, a Western Power Distribution company, to trial an almost identical use of electricity poles in the Welsh village of Crumlin (Caerphilly) (here). However up until cable trunking  yesterday the idea of using BT infrastructure to carry VM”s service wouldn”t have been possible.

Now Ofcom has moved blackjack to soften the regulation by requiring BT to offer Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) – HERE. This allows competitors to deploy their own NGA infrastructure between the customer and the local exchange via BT”s duct and pole infrastructure. Indeed Virgin Media”s response to Ofcom”s March 2010 Review of the wholesale local access market made their position crystal clear.

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