Virgin Media poised to spread triple play services into France

Despite experiencing difficulties in the UK, Virgin Media looks set to spread its triple play - broadband, TV and phone - service into France.

Earlier this year it was predicted by researchers at tech firm Booz Allen Hamilton that triple play would take-off in Europe this year, so it seems Virgin is keen to enter the competition.

According to the Times, Virgin Group is in discussions with France's biggest cable TV operator Numericle about re-branding its current 9-million subscriber service under the Virgin Media name.

This reportedly could lead to further expansion in other European markets.

Numericle currently offers broadband, phone and TV services, but the Virgin Mobile platform may well be merged into the offering if the tie-up goes through.

Virgin's mobile network launched in France in 2005 using Orange's network, but bundling it into the triple play deals could see user numbers boom.

Despite the possibility of an expansion in broadband services in France through a Virgin deal, users of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) may find their conversations are unreliable through Virgin broadband due to the firm's policy on traffic shaping which restricts the bandwidth available to heavy users at peak times.