Fibre Optic Broadband

[dave_c]

Will any of the other ISPs follow Virgin Media's lead and use Fibre Optic Broadband in the foreseeable future?

[Ethel]

Only if they are prepared to invest a fortune in laying cables in an increasingly competitive market. When I went on Telewest broadband (now Virgin) dial up was the norm and the broadband competition hadn't really kicked in at all.

I can't see it, unless it is government backed

[ACtheTROLL]

yes and no

bt are gearing up for starting to provide 100Mb fibre links .... but only to new houses - no plans for us poor shoebox dwellers

[dave_c]

Ethel, does it really need to be as extreme as to be government backed in order for other companies to acquire the technology? If Virgin could do it, why can't the others?

[Buenchico]

Here's a summary of BT's plans:
http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk/uk-isp/bt- announces-its-plans-to-launch-fibre-optic-broa dband-network/

Chris

[Buenchico]

Also relevant:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7610692. stm

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

it used to be government backed .... they called it BT - then they gave it away .... to encourage smaller providers.

the trouble is that this sort of technology costs �100000000s to develop and maintain
a backbone router can cost �4,000,000
a bit beyond fred's phones.
so you do indeed need a government or huge corporate - the government isn't going to do it .... 'cause that might involve a rise in taxes.... corporates won't do it cause that would involve spending money.... railtrack are reluctant to buy bolts to hold their track together

I suppose they could divert more money from the hospitals - and the oldies only waste their pensions ....eating and drinking it away - global warming means they don't need the fuel subsidies

like with phone boxes .... the only areas cabled out with fiber are the high density high return "better" areas of the inner cities .... in the sticks - it's not worth the investment - the share holders would never stand for it

choice comes at a price ...
cheaper bills .... and inferior service
being stuck in the stone age is free

[Ethel]

dave-c
Virgin didn't do it - they bought it from Telewest and NTL, who did it because at the time there was very little competition for broadband.

Don't forget they installed broadband, phone and cable television a good few years ago when there was very little choice. Cable tv was a real novelty and broadband was in its infancy. Now everything has changed - as well as huge competition with broadband there is a lot of competition with the television too - Sky, Freeview, Freesat and internet tv. Mobile phones are cheaper than ever.

For another company to make that huge investment would be a massive gamble .