UK telecoms companies Virgin Media and TalkTalk are discussing a deal to share the costs of building ultrafast broadband networks as they look to increase pressure on BT, reports The Telegraph. The talks are at an early stage and may not result in any agreement.
They are understood to be considering sharing passive network infrastructure, allowing TalkTalk to install fibre-optic technology in Virgin's underground ducts and vice versa. TalkTalk recently announced plans to deploy a full-fibre network in partnership with Infracapital. Using Virgin's network would significantly reduce the costs of the roll-out. In return, the agreement could help boost Virgin's Project Lightning network expansion programme by following TalkTalk into new areas, according to unnamed industry sources.
