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24-11-10, 09:18
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Virgin considers public WiFi network
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a289465/virgin-considers-public-wifi-network.html
Virgin Media is reportedly considering a multi-million pound investment in a public WiFi network, after being "inspired" by US cable operator Cablevision.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the company is "actively exploring" plans to set up thousands of WiFi access points around the UK to exploit its fibre broadband network.
Virgin has drawn positives from the experience of Cablevision, which rolled out hotspots throughout parts of New York in a $300m (£187m) collaboration project with TimeWarner. The WiFi points were specifically targeted at areas where mobile phone operators were struggling to meet 3G internet demands.
There has been a proliferation of mobile devices in the UK that are placing a heavy load on broadband networks, particularly Apple's hugely popular iPhone and iPad products.
Kevin Baughan, Virgin Media's director of advanced technology, said that public WiFi could be an important solution to the problem of numerous bandwidth-hungry devices.
"We have been inspired by what Cablevision has been able to do in New York and are actively exploring the possibility of creating a similar network here," he said.
"It takes the sheer power of the cable broadband network and puts it where people need it."
Baughan said that establishing Virgin Media's WiFi network would involve placing broadband routers in secure public locations, connected to the firm's network of road-side green boxes.
The service is expected to offer speeds of around 5Mbps, compared to the 8Mpbs delivered via British Telecom's Openzone WiFi service. At more than 2m hotspots, BT's WiFi estate is currently the biggest in the UK, comprising of 1,955,000 hotspots from the BT FON WiFi Community, 3,900 BT Openzone public hotspots and 195,000 BT Business Hubs.
Attempts to create blanket WiFi coverage in UK cities have previously proved fruitless, but Baughan believes that there is now sufficient demand to make the approach sustainable.
"Previous attempts were to fulfil a social objective. This is to solve a real problem," Baughan said.
"[Apple chief executive] Steve Jobs has created phenomenal demand, and we've got the best fibre network in the country that could help meet it. This isn't about building broad coverage, it's about giving you fast, predictable access where you need it."
Virgin Media's public WiFi would most likely be made available free of charge to its customers, while others would access it via pay-as-you-go or subscription.
.
Virgin considers public WiFi network
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a289465/virgin-considers-public-wifi-network.html
Virgin Media is reportedly considering a multi-million pound investment in a public WiFi network, after being "inspired" by US cable operator Cablevision.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the company is "actively exploring" plans to set up thousands of WiFi access points around the UK to exploit its fibre broadband network.
Virgin has drawn positives from the experience of Cablevision, which rolled out hotspots throughout parts of New York in a $300m (£187m) collaboration project with TimeWarner. The WiFi points were specifically targeted at areas where mobile phone operators were struggling to meet 3G internet demands.
There has been a proliferation of mobile devices in the UK that are placing a heavy load on broadband networks, particularly Apple's hugely popular iPhone and iPad products.
Kevin Baughan, Virgin Media's director of advanced technology, said that public WiFi could be an important solution to the problem of numerous bandwidth-hungry devices.
"We have been inspired by what Cablevision has been able to do in New York and are actively exploring the possibility of creating a similar network here," he said.
"It takes the sheer power of the cable broadband network and puts it where people need it."
Baughan said that establishing Virgin Media's WiFi network would involve placing broadband routers in secure public locations, connected to the firm's network of road-side green boxes.
The service is expected to offer speeds of around 5Mbps, compared to the 8Mpbs delivered via British Telecom's Openzone WiFi service. At more than 2m hotspots, BT's WiFi estate is currently the biggest in the UK, comprising of 1,955,000 hotspots from the BT FON WiFi Community, 3,900 BT Openzone public hotspots and 195,000 BT Business Hubs.
Attempts to create blanket WiFi coverage in UK cities have previously proved fruitless, but Baughan believes that there is now sufficient demand to make the approach sustainable.
"Previous attempts were to fulfil a social objective. This is to solve a real problem," Baughan said.
"[Apple chief executive] Steve Jobs has created phenomenal demand, and we've got the best fibre network in the country that could help meet it. This isn't about building broad coverage, it's about giving you fast, predictable access where you need it."
Virgin Media's public WiFi would most likely be made available free of charge to its customers, while others would access it via pay-as-you-go or subscription.
.