Sky +

CutzEr

We were originally planing to get Sky+ but when we rang (this was about 1-2 years ago) they said that you needed a phone line..

Is this true? Do you need a phone line for sky + ?

newbie2

While not essential - it's in the T&C's that you must have your Sky+ box attatched to the phone line 24/7. This is mainly used for software/EPG and firmware updates. I'm a firm believer in leaving my box plugged in to a phone line all the time. Numerous friends of mine have had trouble with their boxes that haven't been connected to a line and yet I've never had an issue. I'v ehad 3 boxes. I've gone from normal sky to sky+ to Sky+ HD.

Ludo

newbie2 wrote: »

While not essential - it's in the T&C's that you must have your Sky+ box attatched to the phone line 24/7. This is mainly used for software/EPG and firmware updates. I'm a firm believer in leaving my box plugged in to a phone line all the time. Numerous friends of mine have had trouble with their boxes that haven't been connected to a line and yet I've never had an issue. I'v ehad 3 boxes. I've gone from normal sky to sky+ to Sky+ HD.

This is simply not true. Software/EPG updates do NOT come over the phone line. They come down via the satellite. I have had Sky for about 8 years now and never had it connected to a phone line other than the initial install. Unplugged it as soon as the engineer left and never had one problem. I get all the updates as normal.

The only necessity for a phone line is if you have multi room. they they really do check that it is connected to both boxes as far as I know.

chalkitdown1

CutzEr wrote: »

Is this true? Do you need a phone line for sky + ?

You do for the initial set-up process. The engineer has to do a call back.

Ludo

I believe they even allow you to PAY a fee now when signing up to avoid having to leave the phone connected. Not worth it though. Just remove it once engineer gone.

humanji

I've sky plus and multiroom and as said, you only need it for set-up. Some engineers will level with you that you don't need it and unplug the box when it's set up. Others will insist you rewire your house. You tell those ones the f*ck off.

I was always under the impression it was to try and lure people into using the various PPV channells and events, but I'm cynical like that.

Ludo

humanji wrote: »

I was always under the impression it was to try and lure people into using the various PPV channells and events, but I'm cynical like that.

That is the reason for it I always assumed for it also.

CutzEr

So we don't have a phone line in our house.. I mean we have regular sky, Can't we just buy a box and plug our satellite dish and sky card in, And whizz away? As far as I know there is no additional charges on your subscription once you join, So would this work?

chalkitdown1

No, Sky would have to activate the Sky+ features.

Plus, I'm pretty sure your Sky card is linked to your Sky box, so it won't work on any other. Could be wrong, though.

CutzEr

Last bit is definetly false.

Why would they need to 'activate' the sky+ features? What is there to activate?

Sleipnir

CutzEr wrote: »

So we don't have a phone line in our house.. I mean we have regular sky, Can't we just buy a box and plug our satellite dish and sky card in, And whizz away? As far as I know there is no additional charges on your subscription once you join, So would this work?

I got Sky HD last week and I don't have a landline (4 mobiles in the house is quite enough telecommunication devices) so you can. There is a one off charge of €37.50 though and some features require a phone line such as checking your billing, sky box office and I think remote record. Well, it doesn't show up in my Sky+ menu.

But you can get it installed without a phoneline.

Wishbone Ash

It's required for 'multi-room' to prevent you from unplugging the second box and giving it to your neighbour/granny etc.

Sleipnir

Aye, forgot to mention that.

jethrodublin

sky plus is a feature that has to be activated, it is seperate to just an activation. the play/pause function is what needs to be allowed.

the phone line isn't important to the box, its just a security issue from sky. when we install the box if it is handy we run the phone line, if it is messy we can go thru a "story" of why the box isn't plugged in.

but thats upto the installer, because end of the day it comes back onto us. if you ring sky with any sort of problem and they go thru the 10 steps to get you nowhere by unplugging everything for a laugh, then they'll know you have no line and report us.

when we come on site, if you only have 1 box of any type getting put in, we ring sky and over the phone they debit your credit card to 37.50. just a once off fee

newbie2

Ludo wrote: »

This is simply not true. Software/EPG updates do NOT come over the phone line. They come down via the satellite. I have had Sky for about 8 years now and never had it connected to a phone line other than the initial install. Unplugged it as soon as the engineer left and never had one problem. I get all the updates as normal.

The only necessity for a phone line is if you have multi room. they they really do check that it is connected to both boxes as far as I know.

I stand corrected. Apparetly recently the T&C's have changed and you no longer need a telephone line for sky+ or SkyHD. (Unless you have multiroom.
Also software updates etc come down from space.:eek:

CutzEr

Okay.. So the + box is €24.50 only when you are a new customer.. Then I would probably have to pay the €50 again?

And then the €37.50..

What exactly do 'they' (the person who installs sky+ in your house) do with the phone line? Couldn't I just put a fake phone line in that doesn't do anything or do they like 'contact sky' through the sky+ box with the phone line?

Basically, What is the cheapest way to get sky+:

Been with Sky for over 2 years
Have satellite on roof, wouldn't need satellite dish installed or configured
No phone line in house
Only means of credit/debit card is by 3V (not really an issue, just throwing it out there :P)

Our man in Havana

Moved to Satellite.

watty

You only need phone if you have more than one Skydigibox (any type) on the same subscription (Multiroom or mirror sub). It has to be a real working phone line or you get charged full amount for each Digibox.

djkeogh

We've been with Sky for about 18 months now no problems. Have the Multiroom as well and rang up to get the 2nd Sky+ box in the second room and they quoted us €200 for the box and installation. Outrageous. We'll stick with what we have me thinks.

brenny2506

In regards to getting Sky+ and multiroom, do they require that both boxs be connected to phoneline, could manage one but no phone socket in bedroom for multiroom.

John mac

brenny2506 wrote: »

In regards to getting Sky+ and multiroom, do they require that both boxs be connected to phoneline, could manage one but no phone socket in bedroom for multiroom.

yes the two boxes need to be connected.

CutzEr

CutzEr wrote: »

Basically, What is the cheapest way to get sky+:

Been with Sky for over 2 years
Have satellite on roof, wouldn't need satellite dish installed or configured
No phone line in house
Only means of credit/debit card is by 3V (not really an issue, just throwing it out there :P)

?