UPC Ireland to re-brand as Virgin Media

mamax wrote: »

So should we assume that UPC/VM will just shut down everything in relation to mmds and more or less walk away ?
It took me quite a bit of persuasion to get them to admit they had nothing to offer me instead !

MMDS is an old, spectrum inefficient technology that was used in only a limited number of countries around Europe. Outside of Ireland only Slovakia (moved to the 2.2 GHz band, 500 subscribers) and Iceland (2.6 GHz band) currently use it for multichannel TV, previously used in Latvia, Lithuania and Madeira (Portugal).

The Icelandic MMDS licences expire at the end of 2016 and their regulatory authority is consulting on the band's future. The licence holder Vodafone, provides more than 70 channels to the south and south-west of Iceland via MMDS (transmitter map - Útsendingar um örbylgju), is arguing against its reallocation as it povides tens of thousands of viewers with multichannel TV. Their national DTT service, comprising 2-3 UHF muxes isn't capable of replacing MMDS capacity.

MMDS subscribers here peaked just shy of 118,000 back in late 2006 but since 2007 the numbers have been in decline. In MMDS areas UPC/VM have no alternative TV service and providing one against existing pay TV provider Sky or sub-free services Saorview/Freesat wouldn't be cost effective.

This google cached facebook post from August indicates UPC have been sending their MMDS customers' letters confirming the end of the service for a while now and Sky making offers for those customers switching

mamax wrote: »

I'm a subscriber and never got a letter lol

I'd like to know what will happen to mmds subscribers who are not allowed to install satellite dishes, there will be a lot of pished off people I'd say !

They appear to be switching off the transmitters on a phased basis. This poster in S Tipperary got the letter late August informing him the service was ending a month later. Maybe starting with smaller transmitters sites first and ending with the those that cover a larger subscriber base.

There is nothing UPC/VM can do about people who cannot install dishes, the communications regulator is withdrawing the licence under an EU regulation.

Will you report back when the letter eventually arrives?

Edit: I see you don't have any problems installing a dish

mamax wrote: »

I have 3 x sky dishes and a 1.2m dish, all to the rear of my property and none over 4m high

The Cush wrote: »

Magnus Ternsjö, CEO of UPC/Virgin Media’s operations in Ireland, has been appointed as CEO of UPC Hungary with effect from Nov 1st.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/virgin-s-irish-boss-magnus-ternsj%C3%B6-leaves-for-hungary-1.2388835
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/10/12/magnus-ternsjo-new-ceo-upc-hungary/

http://m.independent.ie/business/world/virgin-media-appoints-irish-ceo-34116122.html

New CEO announced as Tony Hanway.

mikeym wrote: »

I saw a Virgin Media Billboard advertisment in Carrigaline today but theres no cable tv in Carrigaline and the MMDS Service has been discontinued.

Could they be expanding the cable network or was it a waste of money advertising in a town that isnt served by UPC/Virgin.

Waste of money more likely

Vans all over Limerick now with the slogan "Showtime in no time" or somethink along those lines whatever that is actually suppose to mean anyone know?

mamax wrote: »

Don't think so unless it became available recently

There always was cable in some parts of Ennis but it was Analog when I stopped installing for them and it was very poor where it was available...was it updated to bring broadband along as well

mamax wrote: »

Not proper cable tho I'm sure, just estates fed with a mmds signal

No ennis had analog cable as well as mmds as i said it was very poor and was seldom used when i installed out there

steveon wrote: »

There always was cable in some parts of Ennis but it was Analog when I stopped installing for them and it was very poor where it was available...was it updated to bring broadband along as well

Back in the 90's Ennis had a big number of MMDS subscribers.

And now they probably have Sky. You would think Chorus/Upc would have invested in putting in Cable in Ennis before Sky Digital got popular.

Just a heads up to anyone wanting to cancel their mmds sub before they ditch you you will need to send an email to resolutionteam@virginmedia.ie and beg them to cancel your account.

I spent 20 mins just now being transferred all over the place before they told me that :mad:

The Cush wrote: »

Comreg Decision was published back in early 2013. The MMDS transmitters appear to be switching off on a phased basis starting early/mid 2014.

Comreg decision to drop MMDS?

So why wasn't the spectrum licenced for other uses before the switch off?

The Cush wrote: »

I assume you're asking why it hasn't been auctioned prior to the vacating of MMDS? Wondered the same also.

My guess is would be to do with the number of spectrum bands that are becoming available for auction in the near future. Some of these only become available since WRC-15 concluded at the end of Nov.

So they have to decide whether there will be single or multi band auctions.

The following bands will be auctioned by Comreg in due course, the 2.6 GHz, 700 MHz, 1.4, 2.3 and 3.6 GHz bands.

See Comreg's recent Consultation on Radio Spectrum Management Strategy 2016 to 2018 http://www.comreg.ie/publications/consultation_on_radio_spectrum_management_strategy_2016_to_2018.583.105008.p.html#sthash.aWLhcfrr.dpuf

So clearly MMDS is a waste of spectrum but isn't the non-use of spectrum just a bad, when do you expect ComReg to advertise licence and when will the spectrum start being used again?

Elmo wrote: »

when do you expect ComReg to advertise licence and when will the spectrum start being used again?

Looking like late 2016 at the earliest.

Elmo wrote: »

Also did Virgin/UPC cable any new areas? Where there any swaps between cable and MMDS in the last 10 years?

I think they expanded into N. Co Dublin in early 2015, there was a thread about it in this forum IIRC. No doubt over the years areas have been converted to cable from MMDS considering its limitations but I wouldn't have any specific information.