Video over copper to be tested by Virgin Media

It has been revealed that network operator, Virgin Media is currently working in partnership with Vtesse Networks to test whether services can be viably delivered to its customers over copper wire at 50Mbps rather than using fibre optic cabling.

Both broadband and television services will be trialled in the UK over a VDSL2+ connection and will take place in Cornwall. About 1000 people will be given free access to the service when over 400 buildings are connected to the new network.

Because the network structure will rely on Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) users will need to be located no further than 3.5km from their nearest street cabinet in order to get the best quality from the service say Virgin Media.

Residential customers in Saltash, Hatt and Higher pill will be the first to receive the service via VDSL2+ from Virgin Media using a remote terminal (RT) cabinet over the FTTC network. Using fibre installed by Vtesse Networks these circuits will then be connected to the Virgin Media network.

It is possible that the new services, which include video on demand and HDTV, could by expanded throughout the UK if these trials prove to be a success.

The plan for deployment was explained by the CEO of Vtesse networks, Aidan Paulish who said “Subject to the satisfactory completion of these trials and to a supportive regulatory policy, our analysis indicates that it could be feasible to roll-out similar capability to as many as two million homes and small businesses in current ultra-fast ‘not-spots’ across the country.”

The executive director for broadband at Virgin Media, Jon James said “This is an important project for Virgin Media and demonstrates our ambition to extend our next generation services to areas outside our traditional cable TV footprint.”

Source – Fierce Telecom