Digigate...can they do this ?

ciaran76

Ok quick background story on this.

Moved into my house about 3 years ago new development etc etc. Electroplus(I think they were called) were the providers of tv and broadband phone etc.
The builders said they were the providers for the apartments and houses in this complex.

They were terrible and the channels on offer were not good. I went with NTL.
They came out pug us in and have been paying them ever since.

On Friday I get a letter from Digigate telling me they are the tv providiers for the area now and that I am not on their list of subscribers and in order for you to continue to recieve tv service I need to fill out the form they sent and my bank details for direct debit.

If I don't pay them in 10 days they will disable tv service to my property ?

I tried phoning them but just answering machines so left messages for them to ring me back.

Anyone know if they can do this?

Saruman

You sure they do not just mean that they will disconnect your service if you do not pay up, but since you are with another provider you will still get it from them? Surely they can not mean they will come around and unplug the physical cable to your house?

If they do you can sue them for damage to property and maybe trespassing.

bk

First of all I wouldn't send my bank details to anyone I didn't know, it could be a scam.

I'd get in contact with the property management company straight away to see what the story is.

Even if the property management company or this Digigate crowd try to say that they have the right to disconnect your service, I'd fight it.

Legally it sounds very dodgy, I'd inform both Digigate and the property management company in writing that you will seek legal advice if they tamper with your existing service in anyway.

In fact personally, I'd contact my Solicitor and get him/her to write a letter to both the management company and this Digigate crowd ASAP, then they'll think twice about disconnecting your service.

I'd also get in contact with NTL, I'm sure NTL and their solicitors will have something to say about this.

Solair

I assume that digigate can disconnect their own service. This will not make any difference to your UPC NTL service.

However, if they disconnect the UPC (NTL) service. They are tempering with UPC property and interfering with their service and will undoubtedly face serious action by UPC for doing so.

How is your UPC service provided? By Cable or MMDS ?
i.e. is there a small antenna on your roof / balcony ?

From the digigate website:

"Digigate homes are provided with digital television and high speed broadband access, accommodating the most advanced high-tech communications, entertainment, leisure and security systems available to our customers:
Access to up to 14 digital television channels.
Live 24/7 broadband (up to 40x faster than normal dial-up).
Integrated Reception System (IRS) within the infrastructure of the development, ensuring that the most advanced cabling system is provided. This is an integral part of the service and comes as standard with all installations in order to ‘future-proof’ your home for emerging technologies.
This package is provided at a special cost-effective rate for all Hanly Home owners."

A few questions:

a) 14 Channels ?! What decade are they living in?!
b) What is "Live" broadband? I've never heard of "dead" or "pre-recorded" broadband.
c) IRS = They have a communal satellite dish that provides you with Sky Digital via their cable infrastructure. You'd have a contract with Sky as well as with them to provide access to the dish.

As a community, I would suggest that you get together and see if you can come up with some options. Perhaps set up a community group and get a solicitor involved?

There are other options, e.g. as a group you can install "Sky Homes" where Sky will provide you with a single dish for your entire block etc. This can work out a whole lot better and cheaper.

paulm17781

14 digital channels? The future is here.

ciaran76

Thank you all for replying.

They have just got in touch with me about this.

Turns out they didn't know UPC/NTL were also provind the service in the estate. They told me to rip up the letter and apologised.

Which is good news as some of my neighbours were worried about paying extra fees for their tv service.

Saruman

Keep the letter... just in case