We are being offered 200Mb connections ( FTTP ??? ), I assume that can be ramped up? Also no phone connection, I assume that maybe moving to VoIP in the future ? Not sure if i`m brave enough to ditch my BT line just yet??? Only because of elderly parents whom are not fully conversed mobile wise and never will be as do not need it !

The 200Mb service is available on Virgin's standard HFC network so I wouldn't read into that too much.

What I have noticed is the majority of infill areas around here have no copper phone connection available on the checker - including my friends street.

He's called Virgin and they just said we can't provide a phone line and that was that.

I'd keep your BT line until Virgin manage to sort a VOIP solution out.

Looks like fibre too me, watched a couple of guys with a compressor and the separate tubes from the grey cab. I assume they were blowing the fibres down from the cab to the hole in the ground ? Excuse my ignorance on the technicalities.

These are the cables they are laying in our area, bright green as pictured in the link below.

https://lightwater.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/virgi...

Are the green cables coaxial cables for the HFC network or fibre tubes for a FTTP network?

In reply to a post by Ripley:

These are the cables they are laying in our area, bright green as pictured in the link below.

https://lightwater.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/virgi...

Are the green cables coaxial cables for the HFC network or fibre tubes for a FTTP network?

That's exactly what is getting laid round here ! Not had a very close look but the tubes are hollow hence I think they then blow the fibre down ??

In reply to a post by Ripley:

Are the green cables coaxial cables for the HFC network or fibre tubes for a FTTP network?

If its virgin they will fit a fibre to coax converter at your premises, and then use the normal cable modem/SuperHub and TV boxes as used elsewhere. Its still DOCSIS technology.

This is known as Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG).

Microducts for FTTP.

Interesting. I guess if the infill is large enough they can do this, it's not like there's a big distance limitation with the fibre so they can put a hub a way away.

Very good indeed. Means EPON is doable when they are ready. Lucky people!

Thanks ignitionnet. What is EPON is you don't mind me asking?

Also will they pull the fibre micro duct as far as the house when they do installs? Or is the cable across the garden coax?

Its fibre right into the home, and a simple converter that the fibre plugs into and pushes out a DOCSIS signal over coax all ready to work with all the existing hardware they use.

Exactly the same round here, in a current franchise area but 5/6 streets with about 40-60 houses in each.

Makes sense as to why they won't offer a copper phone service now.

Would capacity in these new infill areas be significantly better than the standard HFC areas?