New NTL customer - installation required?

Flimbos

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere. The Other Half signed up for NTL/UPC’s Max with digital + package online earlier, as a new customer. Only after she had filled out the blanks and put in her bank details etc, a notification appeared saying that we would require an engineer to install it. There was no option for “self-install”, only an option of whether the morning or evening suits someone to call out.

Now we’re only installing it in the living room and there is already an NTL point in the room (the white plastic box with two points), so am I right in thinking we don’t need an engineer?? Is the installation that complicated?

In NTL’s T&Cs they say “Installation is carried out by a third party installer”, yet agreeing to this seems to be part of the signing up process. Has anyone had the same experience? Will this engineer charge me for plugging the box in? I might just phone them and see can I opt out of the installation, but just curious if anyone has had the same issue.

coylemj

I have three points in the house and was disconnected back in the 90s when they started to get aggressive with people who paid the bill late.

In September last year I signed up to be reconnected and asked for a digital+ box, in fact I asked for HD but this isn't yet available in my area.

I wasn't given the option of self-install but on the day two Polish lads turned up in a plain white van (i.e. no UPC logo) and did the install. When they were finished the wiring (new wall boxes all round) one of them got the remote control and stood in front of the TV looking at a big menu with lots of numbers and other data, I think he was checking the signal quality and other stuff, it makes sense to me that this part of an install would not be left up to the customer.

Last week I ordered an additional digital box (mulltiroom) for the bedroom and opted for self-install, it was delivered via courier to my place of work on Friday at lunchtime and by teatime I was up and running with all of my channels.

So from experience I'd say that for your first digital box they insist on sending an 'engineer' to do the install and self-install is not an option.

p15574

There's also the broadband. When I got the digital in, they had to add some sort of filter (like a splitter) to the incoming signal to split the two. I wouldn't have thought it was required and wouldn't have used one, unless a 'self install idiots guide' had specifically said to.

The_Conductor

p15574 wrote: »

There's also the broadband. When I got the digital in, they had to add some sort of filter (like a splitter) to the incoming signal to split the two. I wouldn't have thought it was required and wouldn't have used one, unless a 'self install idiots guide' had specifically said to.

And they need to register the MAC address of the router with the server too......

HattieMcDoogal

p15574 wrote: »

There's also the broadband. When I got the digital in, they had to add some sort of filter (like a splitter) to the incoming signal to split the two. I wouldn't have thought it was required and wouldn't have used one, unless a 'self install idiots guide' had specifically said to.

Also sometimes when broadband is being installed they have to run a new cable from the tap outside the house. Who knows how long that CATV cable has been out there

icdg

A few years ago it was apparently NTL policy for an engineer to come out and, while doing the install, to swap any RTÉ Relays or Cablelink-branded wall taps for NTL ones (complete with annoying screw-on sockets instead of the plain plug-in ones the Cablelink/RTÉ ones had). Why they did this I don't know.

When I got digital installed, they installed it in a different room to the already existant point. I have, on occasion, moved the digibox into the sitting room which has a Cablelink-branded wall tap (which they didn't bother swapping, although apparently would have if the digital had been installed there) and it works fine...

Elmo

just ordered phone and digital + from UPC. Waiting on the DIGI + box via corrier, since friday blaming the weather. Phone is going to be installed tomorrow.

Anyone else having delays with getting new STBs?

In relation to the OP (just to make it look like I amn't hijacking the thread) when I first got broadband they had to send someone out since we hadn't had cable in a few years.

TT09

i order digital + tuesday and got a call from the courier today saying they will be delivering the stb's tomorrow.

Elmo

TT09 wrote: »

i order digital + tuesday and got a call from the courier today saying they will be delivering the stb's tomorrow.

They didn't order it properly. Spent all of Thursday talking to them about it, sales haven't a clue, cust serv eventually ordered it for me and I got a call yesterday and now have the box.

Installed everything so far, but it is now just stuck on the last setup screen. How long does this take?

Kristopherus

Don't want to hijack the thread, but can anyone explain is it UPC/Chorus/NTL that pays the installer for a completely new install, or does the customer pay?