Netvigator

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Netvigator (網上行) is the largest residential internet service provider in Hong Kong, operated as a brand of PCCW. The company specializes in ADSL broadband Internet connections of 1.5 Mbit/s, 3 Mbit/s, 6 Mbit/s, 8 Mbit/s and 18 Mbit/s downstream (640 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s upstream). In the late 1990s, Netvigator Broadband was known as "Super Netvigator", then "Ultraline", and was a jewel of its time. Nowadays, although the company has a coverage of over 90% of Hong Kong, providers such as HGC (Hutchison Global Communications, also owned by Li Ka Shing), and HKBN (Hong Kong Broadband Network, owned by CTI), offer fiber and ethernet Internet at faster speeds (10 Mbit/s up/down for HGC, 100/1000 Mbit/s up/down for HKBN) and for a fraction of the cost. However, Netvigator still hold the largest market share as of 2006 because of PCCW's landline dominance and pervasive advertising. Another reason is that Now Broadband TV and Netvigator's Video on demand service, media.now.com.hk, require a Netvigator Broadband Connection to be watched.

During the days of "Super Netvigator", the company offered iTV, an interactive movie television network that allowed users to watch movies on their TV screen by demand. The service ended in 2002, but in recent years, a successor and competitor to Cable TV, Now TV, was launched.

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[edit] History

Netvigator dial-up Internet Access Service was first launched under Hongkong Telecom IMS Limited under the directorship of Dr. William Lo on April 18, 1996. It acquired another ISP, hkstar, with all the infrastructure and clients. Their broadband service, under the brand name "Super Netvigator" was launched as a value-added service of the InteractiveTV (iTV) in May 1998. Subsequently it launched their standalone broadband service (directly connected to PC without iTV), under the service name "Netvigator 1.5M Ultraline", in July 1999.

[edit] NETVIGATOR Wireless Modem

In 2008, Netvigator launched NETVIGATOR Wireless Modem a wireless modem with router and modem capabilities, in Hong Kong. Its pre-configured wireless secure connection function prevents hackers from infiltrating the network and hence users' online safety is assured and under control.

Meanwhile, NETVIGATOR also provide one-stop customer service to users – from configuring computer for wireless technical support to lifetime maintenance.

Benefits (Source: NETVIGATOR Wireless Modem Promotion booklet)

  • Surf the net wirelessly anywhere at home
  • Save space with the 3-in-1 Wi-Fi modem and router
  • Multiple users can go online at the same time
  • Enjoy real peace of mind with a password-protected auto-login safeguard
  • Full customer service and technical support
  • Leave everything to our one-stop installation service
  • Always-on

[edit] NETVIGATOR Value Added Services in Hong Kong

Other than Broadband connection service, Netvigator also provides a range of value added services to Hong Kong users. Customers can apply these services via Retail Shop Level, Sales person, Sales hotline or online (only eligible to existing Netvigator users).

  • NETMail Web-based e-mail with 1GB mail storage and 1GB file storage.
  • PC Guard Comprehensive computer protection service effectively safeguards the computer and privacy. The website also provids a free virus scanner.
  • MailGuard Plus Full protection of Netvigator mailbox. Virus and Spam of incoming e-mails will be filtered from server level.
  • Parental Control Parents can safeguard their kids via features like content filtering and access time control.
  • NETSee Included NETMeet and NETWatch.
  • Snaap! Cross platform (TV, Computer, Fixed Line and MObile) multimedia sharing service. Can share photos and videos anytime and any where.
  • Moov Provided Chinese and English songs prelisten and MV preview.
  • now.com.hk An online entertainment platform provided news, movies, TVB dramas replay, games and other fashion-related contents.

[edit] Other Services provided by Netvigator

now TV: An IPTV service


[edit] United Kingdom Operation

Trading initially under the Netvigator brand, with the company name UK Broadband, PCCW entered the UK broadband market with wireless broadband (independent of phone lines) in mid 2004, starting with the Thames Valley. The brand migrated to Now Broadband during 2005, and the London market was opened for business. At the same time the support call centre for the UK was moved from Hong Kong to an outsourcer in the north of England. Now uses TD-CDMA to provide its broadband using two modems one built by IP Wireless and one by UT Starcom, it is available in 3 speeds 256k, 512k and 1mb with 128k and 256k upstream respectively.

An additional service offering is a card that fits into the PCMCIA/Cardbus slot in a laptop and is intended to provide roaming broadband access.

In September 2007, Now Broadband sent out letters under the lasered signature of Keith Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer, to selected areas in the UK cancelling the service, citing "limitations not apparent when we launched the service in your area" as the reason for closing certain radio sites. The customer service team instead cites unprofitability of those closing radio sites, but also says that Now Broadband is "not currently accepting new customers in the UK", and that it is also "Assessing new technology". The cancellation has a notice substantially greater than the 30 contractual days, and also an offer of a £50 goodwill payment (with terms and conditions).

[edit] Rivals

[edit] External links

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