Re: [Hampshire] Cable coverage

On 8 January 2011 15:42, Rob Malpass <linux@???> wrote:
> Hi all
>
>
>
> Further to my message about mapping the other day, I wondered if anyone
> could help with (what I perceive) as a huge gap in the market for cable
> TV?   I can find no map of UK cable coverage.   If any of you can then fine
> and I'd love to see a link.
>
>
>
> There is a postcode checker on the Virginmedia website [1] but this just
> let's me know what's available at my property.   It may sound mad, but one
> factor as to where I'll be moving to is the availability of cable.   I'll
> explain why later - but is it possible (presumably all one needs is a
> complete list of postcodes) to write some sort of script that queries their
> database to effectively build up a map?   If this is venturing into hacking
> territory then I'll stop there - I've no wish to upset anyone.   However the
> lack of a map showing (if you locate here no cable but half a mile away you
> can have 100Mbps) is what I really want.

I think the problem you will have will be associating geographical
locations with post codes. The post office charges a nice fee for this
information, and therefore it is not readily available. I know that
the Openstreetmap.org crowd have been after this data in a freely
distributable form for some time. Also, I bet the information you get
from the Virgin checker site is also protected.

As Virgin hold this data, maybe you should suggest that they create a
map! Alternatively, explain what you want to do with it and see if
they will provide the data for you. Although, if they only give you
post codes for the locations, you will still be stuck converting that
to real locations.

--
Philip Stubbs