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27 Nov 2007
Virgin Media has quietly revealed that it is postponing plans for TV services to the off-network segment of the UK population that live outside its cable footprint.
The plan was originally set in motion by former Virgin Media chief executive Steve Burch, but acting boss Neil Berkett is attempting to streamline aspects of the company as part of his 'doing less properly' strategy.
The company was originally planning to offer IPTV services in 2008, after signing a wholesale deal to use the Cable & Wireless network.
Virgin Media has now conceded that it will be at least 2009 before it can begin to roll out its range of TV, broadband, phone and mobile services to non-cable areas.
While the move will hamper the broadcaster in its public battle with Sky, Virgin Media wants focus on its 'hero product' of high-speed broadband to more effectively take on BT, Carphone Warehouse and Sky.
The plan was also designed to allow Virgin Media customers to retain the full range of services, even if they move out of a cable area.
Virgin Media appears to have stemmed the tide of disgruntled customers, however. The company claimed 13,000 more customers than the previous quarter, but still reported a £61m loss.
As part of the original deal, customers signed up to Virgin.net, the broadband service currently carried by BT, will be transferred to C&W in early 2008.
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Virgin Media pauses nationwide TV service
I have been with Virgin Media right from the very beginning when it was NTL and the thought of them going further out of their own area's makes me wonder WHY? Their service to the customers they have at the moment is awful and there is never a time that you can be guaranteed that you will have full service on your TV, phone or Broadband. My digital phones were always cutting out and was informed that I needed a new set, when they WERE a new set. Broadband which costs me £25 per month, has always ran slowly, excuses for that was that I had an old computer. Now I have a new one, bought in April, and I still feel that I have dial up. Every day they are working to solve the problems that bombard their customers at the moment, I really dread to think what it will be like when they do expand further afield. 2009 make it 2029 then maybe they will have finally got it all sorted and running properly to suit everyone. I think I have had enough grief over the years from this company, time for me to move on to something else.
Posted by: PENNY PRAEGER 28 Nov 2007