Whjo has taken over NTL?

Suzkin

I have an old NTL line (which I recall used to be 'Videotron') that has not been in use for several years, and which I would like to have fully removed (thereby clearing the old leads from the house, plus the box in the pavement, which has become a bit of a breeding ground for ants!).

Does anyone know who I need to contact for this? (I'm not sure if NTL exists anymore). Would the council be responsible for the box in the pavement, or would this be down to the phone supplier?

Thanks

System

I believe that NTL 'merged' with Virgin. Whether they took over not in use lines etc is another question. You can but ask.


(For 'merged' read 'taken over by')

gjchester

Suzkin wrote: »

I have an old NTL line (which I recall used to be 'Videotron') that has not been in use for several years, and which I would like to have fully removed (thereby clearing the old leads from the house, plus the box in the pavement, which has become a bit of a breeding ground for ants!).

Does anyone know who I need to contact for this? (I'm not sure if NTL exists anymore). Would the council be responsible for the box in the pavement, or would this be down to the phone supplier?

Thanks

Mugwumps is more or less right. NTL bought the Virgin Media name, and Branson took a large stake in the new company as [art of the cost of using the virgin name, but it's really the same company with the new name.

The leads into the house are probably just two leads, a co-ax for video and a smaller 4 or 6 core cable for voice and can be cut back and buried in the ground just outside the house, Usually NTL run them in through the garden digging them in to a few inches.

The box in the pavement (such as this one)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruddingtonphotos/108016774/

carries the service to many house not just yours and probably can't be removed without affecting a lot of people.

Buzby

They'll come and remove, but it would be chargeable as it is you that is requesting the work to be done. I would certainly not suggest that you cut the connection as if you sell, a cable connection is seen as a desirable feature - even if you don't! That said, if you don;t plan to use it, you can certainly remove it yourself, as the network termination point will be on the outside of your property/

spike7451

Suzkin wrote: »

I have an old NTL line (which I recall used to be 'Videotron') that has not been in use for several years, and which I would like to have fully removed (thereby clearing the old leads from the house, plus the box in the pavement, which has become a bit of a breeding ground for ants!).

Does anyone know who I need to contact for this? (I'm not sure if NTL exists anymore). Would the council be responsible for the box in the pavement, or would this be down to the phone supplier?

Thanks

VM do not normally remove old installs,In the x years I worked for NTL/VM,I only ever did a de-install once & that was for a high level complaint.
If they do a de-install,then you will be liable for any charges plus the cost of re-decorating your property,filling in any holes in the walls ect.
Also in a lot of cases where the cable comes shallow in the garden,it's SOP to cover the cable with concrete,it's also very difficult to remove the cable from the garden due to roots ect.
The box in the pavement,called a Toby,will NOT be removed & should you try to remove it yourself & thus cause the ducting underneath to be damaged or blocked,then you'll be liable for the cost of repair.(As a builder up the Lisburn Rd found out to his cost)
The are also a lot of legalities involved as well plus the expense involved to install these,which would also apply if one was to be removed or moved.Not to mention VM got rid of 99% of the construction crews who would have installed or repaired these ducts ect.
Best bet is to remove the cable services up to the box on the outside wall of the house & leave the rest as is.
The box in gjchester post is a E-Cabinet & serves about 20 properties.To move that would cost upwards of £50,000.

A Toby;