UPC digital+ not available in rural areas

fryup

How come UPC digital+ (aerial) is not available in rural areas??

Surely it can't be that difficult to set up??

And is there any device on the market that can do the job or do i have to go through UPC??

The Cush

These posts from may answer your question

channelsurfer wrote: »

ok I rang chorus and asked if i could get digital+ in mmds area in offaly and was told no its not available and it will unlikely be ever available as they havent found a way for it to work on the mmds aerials yet!!! anyone with knowledge of these systems have any further info?
it means that no mmds customer will be able to record into the near future anyways??

Ranicand wrote: »

UPC took over two MMDS systems former NTL and former Chorus.

The two systems are not the same and I think the former Chorus MMDS is not compatible with the UPC DVR.

Kensington wrote: »

That's correct.

The original NTL MMDS system is built to DVB-C cable network spec, same as their wired cable network.
The original Chorus MMDS system is built to DVB-T digital terrestrial television spec.

Both completely different systems and neither compatible with each other. You need one tuner module to receive DVB-C and a completely seperate one to receive DVB-T. Since their PVR boxes only come built to work on a DVB-C system, they won't work on the Chorus MMDS system. You would think UPC might get onto Thomson to develop release an adapted version of the PVR system to work on chorus - maybe they do not see the extra maintenance being worthwhile though or that they'll get a good return on it.

channelsurfer wrote: »

its a pity they wont spend any money on the ex chorus mmds system. the only thing i can get is the tv packages minus the dvr, no phone and no internet and not a hope of ever getting HD on mmds from them either and only itv2 being provided due to lack of channel space. (whatever happened to the pilot project they did a couple of years ago with another company that provided phone?)
so I will be sticking with sky for the sky+function, the interactivity and the likes of five and itv2-4 fta(i know talk of encryption etc). for the mmds customer at least these new innovations are not much good unless you like espn. yes its great for cable customers i agree.

fryup

but surely all you need is a decoder with two tuners built in > one to watch the other to record

Kensington

fryup wrote: »

but surely all you need is a decoder with two tuners built in > one to watch the other to record

The cable systems do have two tuner modules internally for TV reception. The problem is, the tuners that are used for the cable system are completely different to those used on the MMDS system. It's similar to the way a GSM phone bought here won't work on some American CDMA phone networks. It'd be like trying to use a satellite set top box to receive chorus.

Unless UPC get onto the supplier Thomson, to release an MMDS variant of the DVR with the different tuners, or get a similar offering from the MMDS supplier Sagem, you aren't ever going to get it on MMDS.

popebenny16

Kensington wrote: »

The cable systems do have two tuner modules internally for TV reception. The problem is, the tuners that are used for the cable system are completely different to those used on the MMDS system. It's similar to the way a GSM phone bought here won't work on some American CDMA phone networks. It'd be like trying to use a satellite set top box to receive chorus.

Unless UPC get onto the supplier Thomson, to release an MMDS variant of the DVR with the different tuners, or get a similar offering from the MMDS supplier Sagem, you aren't ever going to get it on MMDS.

and as said above, we cant get broadband either

yet i am using my 3 mobile broadband, i'm getting the repeater off the NBS next week and may get the satellite upgrade too

surely UPC can have a word with the NBS ?

enfant terrible

Are there wireless systems in other countries that are able to provide high speed broadband, HD TV and telephone all together to areas outside the city center.

Kensington

popebenny16 wrote:

and as said above, we cant get broadband either

yet i am using my 3 mobile broadband, i'm getting the repeater off the NBS next week and may get the satellite upgrade too

surely UPC can have a word with the NBS ?

3 were awarded the NBS contract. Unless they are going to get a cut of the funding that goes with it, I can't see them jumping in any time soon!

enfant terrible wrote: »

Are there wireless systems in other countries that are able to provide high speed broadband, HD TV and telephone all together to areas outside the city center.

UPC were in talks with Digiweb at one stage, about upgrading their MMDS systems to two way. Don't think anything came out of the talks though. Digiweb's Metro system essentially emulates a cable network over wires, providing broadband and home phone through a roof top antenna.

enfant terrible

Kensington wrote: »

3 were awarded the NBS contract. Unless they are going to get a cut of the funding that goes with it, I can't see them jumping in any time soon!


UPC were in talks with Digiweb at one stage, about upgrading their MMDS systems to two way. Don't think anything came out of the talks though. Digiweb's Metro system essentially emulates a cable network over wires, providing broadband and home phone through a roof top antenna.

Cheers Kensington

Would that system be able to do HDTV along with broadband and home phone?

The Cush

Kensington wrote: »

UPC were in talks with Digiweb at one stage, about upgrading their MMDS systems to two way. Don't think anything came out of the talks though. Digiweb's Metro system essentially emulates a cable network over wires, providing broadband and home phone through a roof top antenna.

UPC said in their submission to the "Managing the Radio Spectrum 2008-2010" consultation in 2008 that they were carrying out a trial "which tests the offer of two-way services to our MMDS base (by using the return path in the 2300 -2400 Mhz band)" for broadband services. This band is due for final consultation this year.

Also this year the MMDS licences and spectrum is up for review and possible Digital Dividend.

fryup

popebenny16 wrote: »

and as said above, we cant get broadband either

yet i am using my 3 mobile broadband, i'm getting the repeater off the NBS next week and may get the satellite upgrade too

surely UPC can have a word with the NBS ?

excuse my ignorance, but who or what is NBS?? and whats a repeater??

The Cush

fryup wrote: »

excuse my ignorance, but who or what is NBS?? and whats a repeater??

National Broadband Scheme

fryup

any UPC people know if digital+ will be available soon in rural areas??

zilog_jones

The same problem still persists - ex-Chorus MMDS systems are still DVB-T, there's no known plans to change this, and I don't think there's any DVB-T compatible DVRs in production that they can use.

Kristopherus

zilog_jones wrote: »

The same problem still persists - ex-Chorus MMDS systems are still DVB-T, there's no known plans to change this, and I don't think there's any DVB-T compatible DVRs in production that they can use.

I have been on to UPC CS on 2 different occasions this month, following the receipt of blurb from UPC, and was told on both occasions that Digital+ is available on the mmds system. I repeated the question to the CS agent twice so as to make sure that I was getting the correct info. Even then I was not convinced, going on what I had already read in this thread. I have deferred my final decision until the end of July, and have asked for a call-back in the last week of July for absolute confirmation that Digital+ is on mmds.

Kensington

Kristopherus wrote: »

I have been on to UPC CS on 2 different occasions this month, following the receipt of blurb from UPC, and was told on both occasions that Digital+ is available on the mmds system. I repeated the question to the CS agent twice so as to make sure that I was getting the correct info. Even then I was not convinced, going on what I had already read in this thread. I have deferred my final decision until the end of July, and have asked for a call-back in the last week of July for absolute confirmation that Digital+ is on mmds.

Be careful. Don't get your hopes up! :P
From a technical point of view, Digital+ will work on the former ntl branded MMDS network, so if you used to receive bills from ntl you may well be in luck. If you used to receive bills from chorus, then unfortunately the agents are wrong...

Kristopherus

Kensington wrote: »

Be careful. Don't get your hopes up! :P
From a technical point of view, Digital+ will work on the former ntl branded MMDS network, so if you used to receive bills from ntl you may well be in luck. If you used to receive bills from chorus, then unfortunately the agents are wrong...

I'm not !!! Currently I have Sky, including ESPN & Setanta, which is a rip-off. UPC have the Digital+ Family Sports Pack for 64 yoyos INCLUDING Multiroom, which,if available on mmds, would win hands down. UPC have told me that a house that is only 100yds away has 3 STBs. Cannot check as the house is let and no-one there any evening I've called. By the way I am only 300yds away from the Chorus Dish on the Eircom tower, and have an uninterrupted view of same.

Kristopherus

Update.

Had another call from my friendly UPC CS agent. She's just back from the hols & rearing to go . I told her that a week after her last call I emailed UPC to confirmation in writing if Digital+ was available in ex-Chorus mmds areas. I then got a call from Cork where the agent was most definite that Digital+ was NOT available to me and that the Sales Agent gave me the incorrect information. She was able to tell me that I had emailed them & explained that emails are answered from India, which helped explain the confusing reply that I had received. She said the she herself had Digital+ in a mmds area in West Waterford(NTL mmds). I still asked if she was absolutely sure. She then went off to check with her manager & returned a minute later to confirm that the service was definitely available in my area. I deferred a decision until next week in the hope I'll get some guidance here. I have also emailed them again to confirm in writing if the service is available in ex-Chorus mmds areas,.

Kensington

Kristopherus wrote: »

Update.

Had another call from my friendly UPC CS agent. She's just back from the hols & rearing to go . I told her that a week after her last call I emailed UPC to confirmation in writing if Digital+ was available in ex-Chorus mmds areas. I then got a call from Cork where the agent was most definite that Digital+ was NOT available to me and that the Sales Agent gave me the incorrect information. She was able to tell me that I had emailed them & explained that emails are answered from India, which helped explain the confusing reply that I had received. She said the she herself had Digital+ in a mmds area in West Waterford(NTL mmds). I still asked if she was absolutely sure. She then went off to check with her manager & returned a minute later to confirm that the service was definitely available in my area. I deferred a decision until next week in the hope I'll get some guidance here. I have also emailed them again to confirm in writing if the service is available in ex-Chorus mmds areas,.

There's the problem. The Digital+ will work fine on NTL MMDS networks, because they use the same system as the cable network (DVB-C). Chorus MMDS networks use a different standard altogether, DVB-T. Unless you happen to live in a rare part of the chorus MMDS area that uses DVB-C, although I don't think there are any such sections that don't use DVB-T, then UPC are getting confused about the system available at your address...

Kristopherus

Thanks for that Kensington. I'm in Castlebar, which, funnily enough, was actually cabled by Chorus in the early nineties. But they made such a mess of the town streets that the Town Council ran them and has lodged a £1m+ claim against Chorus that still stands. I actually live only 300m from the Eircom tower the holds the UPC dish and have clear line of sight to it from my gaff, so I should get best reception, but if, as you say, the Chorus mmds is a different system to the NTL mmds, then it seems my goose is cooked as regards the + element:mad:

Kristopherus

Further Update.

Well, UPC emailed me back to say the service was NOT available in my area. Then got a further call from my friendly CS agent. Put the points you gave me Kensington. She asked where did I get that info:D. She then re-confirmed that the service was available in my area and that their IT system told her that we were linked to the Galway mmds system, which was NTL. She suggested that I order the system anyway and if it did'nt suit, to contact them within a week & the would disconnect, with no questions asked. Installer arrived last Wednesday & spent the guts of 3 hours doing what should have been a very straightforward install:(.Before he started I asked would Digital+ work here & he said it would. When he tested the system, it worked perfectly. I have thoroughly tested both boxes (DVR x 2) and so far have done everything asked. So far, so good. Kensington, I must have been wrong all along and leading you to give incorrect advice. Apologies for same. Now a happy camper with all the sport I need at €30 per month cheaper than Sky. So its BYe,Bye, Sky from 14th Sept. Actually they offered me my full package at half-price for 6 months, but I declined:)

raddo

I am currently in an ex-Chorus MMDS area and was told that we cannot get a DVR for it at all.
While looking at this thread I had a search to see if any equivalent DVR was available and I found this
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/3514312/Sagem-64250-250gb-DVR-DVB-T-2x-Tuner-Freeview-Hdd-Box/Product.html

Would this work on the ex-Chorus MMDS DVB-T system with an upgrade of software from UPC??

GerardKeating

Kristopherus wrote: »

I have been on to UPC CS on 2 different occasions this month, following the receipt of blurb from UPC, and was told on both occasions that Digital+ is available on the mmds system. I repeated the question to the CS agent twice so as to make sure that I was getting the correct info. Even then I was not convinced, going on what I had already read in this thread. I have deferred my final decision until the end of July, and have asked for a call-back in the last week of July for absolute confirmation that Digital+ is on mmds.

I used to have Digital+ on the UPC MMDS service here in Galway, so they are correct it is available, but not in all areas.

It is only available in ex-NTL MMDS systems, but not the ex-Chorus systems.

watty

ex Chorus areas use DVB-t, so the UPC cable box unsurprisingly will not work.

It's very unlikely UPC will authorise their viewing card for anything other than the box they supply for the MMDS DVB-t

Solair

Digital+ could be made to work on the DVB-T MMDS (ex Chorus MMDS) areas if they really wanted to do it. It would just require a different box i.e. a suitable DVB-T received with a DVR system built in. They exist and are used with DTT systems all over Europe!

I'd say it's more a case that the ex Chorus MMDS market is so small and shrinking so it's probably worth investing in the software to do it i.e. they'd need to develop something to manage the EPG for recording, series linking etc.

I'm sure it could be done though if they really wanted to do it!