Could KC's monopoly be over? – Internet providers express an interest in competi

[bobthebuilder]

SEVERAL Internet providers have expressed an interest in competing in Hull to end KC's monopoly.

As revealed by the Mail, MediaSat3 Ltd have plans to open up the market to allow internet service providers (ISPs) to operate in the city.

The Hull-based company, which was formed in January, is currently in talks with KC about accessing its network.

The firm has invested £800,000 in a private fibre network and plans to act as a "gateway" to several ISPs who will use MediaSat's lines to provide packages direct to home users.


Tony Hales, managing director at MediaSat 3 told the Mail there are many ISPs who have expressed an interest in working with MediaSat3 to provide broadband in Hull.

He said: "We expect this to go live in the first quarter next year and expect to work with at least half a dozen ISPs which would bring a choice to Hull for the first time.

"We have reached an agreement with KC and are just going over the technical finer details before we sign a deal."

The move will break Hull-based KC's historic near 100-year monopoly in its core local area network.

Currently there are companies which use KC's network to provide telephone and internet services.

However, they only supply to businesses, meaning home internet users only have the option of Karoo – KC's internet service – for fixed-line broadband.

Sean Royce, commercial and finance director at KC, said the firm welcomes competition

[stormy]

So this will mean paying 3 providers in effect then!?!?

KC for the Line Rental, MediaSat3 (for some transport fee) and then the ISP you choose.

I can see this getting very messy indeed! Still until they anounce prices we will all be left guessing!

[miken]

Couldn't it be that instead of using KC links out of hull, ISPs use mediasat3 out of hull?

I wouldn't have thought the end user would pay mediasat3 but rather the ISPs who use mediasat3 for transit away from Hull, I expects it's because such service from KC is too expensive.

[commandergc]

So this will mean paying 3 providers in effect then!?!?

My guess it will be like it is on BT when using an LLU provider. you pay the ISP for both line rental, phone and internet.

[GarethG]

Still a slap in the face of residential customers, still no sight of any fibre network comming to the homes

[Fr34ky]

I had an engineer round the other day and he said that BT and KC are in conjunction with each over to lay Fibre optics down and will be complete in 5 years...wether this is really the truth or not will be left to seeing the evidence

[GarethG]

5 years really? Thats quite a long time seeing and KC have a much smaller area to cover than BT. Still its good news at least