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Posted this in the VM forum but didn't get much love.
In Cardiff there are mass VM roadworks going on and cabinets springing up everywhere.
Given this is noted as Virgin Media, not Nexfibre, I assume this is project mustang? Is the plan in these areas to give people XGS-PON or are they still doing RFoG? I cannot see the point of RFoG as 99.9% of the area has VM available already via DOCSIS, and DOCSIS3.1 at that - which is better in theory than RFoG DOCSIS3.0?
However, on the gig2 page on the VM site it says 'Gig2 uses XGS-PON technology across a full fibre network thanks to Virgin Media O2’s partnership with nexfibre', which makes me think only nexfibre areas are using XGS-PON and can get gig2?
Don't really understand why this is so complicated tbh!
Edited by mr_mojo (Sat 01-Jun-24 01:19:53)
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Don't really understand why this is so complicated tbh!
Two completely separate things. Works going on in Cardiff under Virgin Medias name could be replacement of coax with fibre, or it could be expansion. I understood Project Lightning (RFoG) had ended.
Nexfibre is a separate company that has VM as their launch ISP partner, and Nexfibre's network offers services (such as Gig2) that you can't get in VM's original areas. So ignore this if you don't live in a town that has recently had nexfibre installed. (Nexfibre will have other ISPs eventually, competing with CityFibre).
You might get more info on the roadworks from bidb.uk or one.network but you might have to ask someone in the street.
24 years of broadband connectivity since 1999 trial - Live BQM
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For what it's worth, a lot of the works that happened around me were initially registered against Virgin Media. It's mostly shown as Nexfibre now but you do still see some VM roadworks from time to time and there's no HFC/RFoG network here.
So there's a good chance even if it shows as Virgin Media, it could well be Nexfibre XGS that is being installed.
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VM haven't released any upgraded homes for sale yet. Until they do the website is accurate to say it's Nexfibre only for Gig2. Presumably it'll change when they start releasing the Mustang premises.
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I am guessing is no checker for mustang?
No works here in Leicester for mustang.
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It's all a bit of a confusing mess.
You've got
VM DOCSIS3.0/3.1
VM RFoG (any news on an upgrade path for these to XGS-PON? - total dead end until they do)
VM "Mustang" XGS-PON (but no premises whatsoever on this. assuming it is XGS-PON and not GPON - wouldn't put it past VM!)
Nexfibre XGS-PON
all under the 'VM' banner with various options and configurations of speed and TV packages available to them.
I would have thought they would want to get mustang going asap as it will reduce churn moving users from DOCSIS to FTTP in areas where they are contended.
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Daughter brought a new build in Melton, VM ducts installed and other streets on the estate live already. This was in May 2023, assured by the VM local build manager service would be a "few weeks", still nothing, and the guy stopped answering calls.
Apparently there was a blocked duct, but I'm not sure that was the real reason.
I suspect they were intending to use ROFG but thats been stopped so it should be full fibre, and they don't have the required infrastructure?
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It's all a bit of a confusing mess.
Depends what your focus on selling is. Remember VM comes from selling TV, as well as broadband, not just a broadband provider.
VM DOCSIS3.0/3.1
VM RFoG (any news on an upgrade path for these to XGS-PON? - total dead end until they do)
Both of these allow the standard VM TV offerings to work, the coax connected Set Top Box even if the recording feature is mostly unused as it decides to store a link to the iPlayer/ITVx or equivalent instead.
VM "Mustang" XGS-PON (but no premises whatsoever on this. assuming it is XGS-PON and not GPON - wouldn't put it past VM!)
With these the only TV offering is the Stream box, or any competitors box (e.g. Sky Stream, or NOW TV etc). VM turn themselves into a broadband infrastructure and ISP company, no longer with the exclusive TV. Perhaps that is their intention.
Nexfibre XGS-PON Effectively a third party, Virgin Media could be offering their services over CityFibre’s XGS-PON in the same way. Just internet.
I would have thought they would want to get mustang going asap as it will reduce churn moving users from DOCSIS to FTTP in areas where they are contended.
I can’t wait given the coax infrastructure in my road fails when its a hot sunny day… 😔
24 years of broadband connectivity since 1999 trial - Live BQM
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Daughter brought a new build in Melton, VM ducts installed and other streets on the estate live already. This was in May 2023, assured by the VM local build manager service would be a "few weeks", still nothing, and the guy stopped answering calls.
Apparently there was a blocked duct, but I'm not sure that was the real reason.
I suspect they were intending to use ROFG but thats been stopped so it should be full fibre, and they don't have the required infrastructure?
There seems to be two builds happening, one for Nexfibre in areas with no current VM infrastructure, those are going live when completed, and the Mustang project for existing cable broadband areas. You know if her area already has VM cable?
Edited by Chrysalis (Tue 04-Jun-24 22:42:23)
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Daughter brought a new build in Melton, VM ducts installed and other streets on the estate live already. This was in May 2023, assured by the VM local build manager service would be a "few weeks", still nothing, and the guy stopped answering calls.
Apparently there was a blocked duct, but I'm not sure that was the real reason.
I suspect they were intending to use ROFG but thats been stopped so it should be full fibre, and they don't have the required infrastructure?
There seems to be two builds happening, one for Nexfibre in areas with no current VM infrastructure, those are going live when completed, and the Mustang project for existing cable broadband areas. You know if her area already has VM cable?
Yes, the whole estate is being ducted by the builders, and the next street along is live.
It's very strange.
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Noone really wants to be doing TV, it's a dying market long term and everyone knows it. The main reason people get TV (especially now) is for sport, which is low margin for VM as they don't have any rights themselves and most of the revenue goes straight back out of the door again for those channels.
Having said that it's clear VM cannot do systems integration work properly, the portal for customers never works and from what I read it's actually the backend systems are not ready from an invoicing/billing/CPE enablement perspective that is holding up Mustang.
Given that their systems can barely handle their existing HFC network, I really struggle to see how they are going to manage the o2 merger plus 4 distinct network integration options.
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Noone really wants to be doing TV, it's a dying market long term and everyone knows it. I think Sky might disagree... I can see Sky getting rid of the dish and Q box in 10 years, but instead streaming everything. Agree that VM can't compete there.
No idea about VM's internals... bet its chaos as in most companies 
24 years of broadband connectivity since 1999 trial - Live BQM
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Daughter brought a new build in Melton, VM ducts installed and other streets on the estate live already. This was in May 2023, assured by the VM local build manager service would be a "few weeks", still nothing, and the guy stopped answering calls.
Apparently there was a blocked duct, but I'm not sure that was the real reason.
I suspect they were intending to use ROFG but thats been stopped so it should be full fibre, and they don't have the required infrastructure?
If the area is already RFoG, I'd expect it to be RFoG. No point in them waiting on XGS-PON given the same fibre will be used when they later upgrade anyway, its just the equipment each end that changes.
RFoG being suspended simply means they won't be adding new areas with RFoG. They rolled out RFoG to here 18 months ago (at least I think it is) as an expansion of their existing COAX network that never made it this far into the estate.
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Daughter brought a new build in Melton, VM ducts installed and other streets on the estate live already. This was in May 2023, assured by the VM local build manager service would be a "few weeks", still nothing, and the guy stopped answering calls.
Apparently there was a blocked duct, but I'm not sure that was the real reason.
I suspect they were intending to use ROFG but thats been stopped so it should be full fibre, and they don't have the required infrastructure?
There seems to be two builds happening, one for Nexfibre in areas with no current VM infrastructure, those are going live when completed, and the Mustang project for existing cable broadband areas. You know if her area already has VM cable?
FYI Nexfibre are also apparently responsible for small bits of infill in areas with existing VM infrastructure. I can purchase VM via Nexfibre as one of about 80 properties previously unserved and surrounded by HFC. The fibre goes via Openreach ducts until it leaves the estate and is then connected to a pre-existing VM chamber outside and goes via Nexfibre fibre in VM duct to the Nexfibre OLT.
No Mustang build in the area yet.
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you do realise vm are upgrading their hfc network nexfibre is putting fibre in opwnreach ducts.
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