NTL bundles Virgin in four-play

NTL is finally realising the convergence dream that inspired its £962m buy of Virgin Mobile, with the launch of its own quadruple-play product.

The quad-play offering -- TV, 2Mbps broadband, mobile and fixed line subscription -- will set NTL users back £40 per month.

NTL will also start flogging a mobile subscription for its customers that already take any of its services at the cost of £10 per month, although there will be no mobile handset thrown in.

The launch of the quad-play offering has long been expected from NTL and is the latest move in the bundling trend among broadband suppliers, telcos and broadcasters. BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse this year began offering 'free broadband' with a phone subscription, while BT is prepping its own IPTV service.

However, most bundling in the UK is around double- or triple-play -- NTL is claiming to be the first telco to sell quadruple-play. It won't be on its own in the market for very long, however: Orange is gearing up to add IPTV to its UK roster to make up the foursome.