Virgin Media/UPC confirms closure of MMDS on April 18th

The Cush

Virgin Media today confirmed on their website the ending of the MMDS service on April 18th next - https://www.virginmedia.ie/mmds, http://www.askcomreg.ie/news/virgin_media_withdrawal_of_mmds_tv_service.7.1125.LE.asp

Considering the Comreg decision was published back in early 2013 they have left it late to make its first public announcement on the decision. They did confirm it via the Talk To forum a few months ago.

Letters are going out to current customers. Some MMDS subscribers have already had their service switched off e.g. this poster from S. Tipperary last Sept (Tipperary Town, Cahir and Cashel).

Important Notice for customers who currently receive their TV service through MMDS

We contacted Virgin Media customers in early January 2016 to advise what was happening and what the next steps would be.

Important news about your TV services

It’s never easy to say goodbye. We've loved bringing you TV service, but now we need to give you notice that this service will be closing down from April 18th 2016.


Why is this happening?

Unfortunately, the service address above has no direct access to our cable network, so we had licensed a part of the radio spectrum to provide our TV services to you. From April 18th this licence will expire and will no longer be available to us for renewal. This means we’ll no longer be able to bring our TV service to you.

To help you find an alternative provider for TV services we have listed some companies which allow you to compare what alternative services are available.

MMDS Shutdown helpful answers

What do I have to do with my account?

You don’t need to do anything with your account now. We'll close your account after April 18th, 2016. If you do arrange to get a replacement service before April 18th, just contact us via the Early Cancellation Form below and let us know – we'll be happy to close your account and refund any money that might be due to you.

Why are you cancelling my service?

The licence that we hold to allow us to transmit TV in your area will expire on April 18th 2016. We have renewed this licence in the past but unfortunately from April 2016, it will no longer be available to us for renewal. We’re really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, it is really out of our control unfortunately.

I currently pay by Direct Debit, do I need to cancel this?

This is not necessary, as we will stop your billing when the service is disconnected, which means that we won’t approach your bank after your final bill. You can, of course, contact your bank to cancel the direct debit after your final bill, if you wish.

What will I do with the box and remote control etc.?

We don't need to collect the box so you can dispose of your set top box and remote control at any WEEE Recycling centre, usually your local County Council recycling centre. You can find a list of centres on www.weeeireland.ie.

I just got my bill and paid for next month (3 months/year) already…will I get this money back?

If you have paid your bill past the cancellation date, don’t worry we will refund you for all money paid past that date.

I am a Business customer, how will this affect me?

Business customers can contact our dedicated Business TV support team on 1800 923 003 and a member of the team will be happy to answer any questions you have.

The Cush

What will I do with the box and remote control etc.?

We don't need to collect the box so you can dispose of your set top box and remote control at any WEEE Recycling centre, usually your local County Council recycling centre. You can find a list of centres on www.weeeireland.ie.

No mention of the MMDS aerial in that FAQ, who's responsible for removing it from the customer's roof?

Edit:
They removed this ex-subscriber's MMDS aerial a few years after he cancelled when it fell off the roof
http://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2056929407
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=88032349#post88032349

Remains the property of Virgin/UPC according to this post

steveon wrote: »

Fitted MMDS for years and can tell you, the aerial is not yours it is UPC's responsibility to come and take them down if you cancel your service with them, just tell them u want it removed, however if you have a terrestrial aerial fitted on their pole they may not remove it and in some rare cases have billed the customer for the pole and brackets etc...

The Cush

From a message posted on the Virgin Media facebook page

Kevin Terry Today I received a letter from Virgin Media saying that my service will be discontinued with effect from April; this is after being a Chorus/UPC/Virgin Media customer for 16 years. They say that they are not able to renew the radio spectrum licence that provides the service! Has anybody else received a similar letter? I am not a satisfied customer. On telephoning them I am informed that I will have to pay for the removal of their equipment, i.e. aerial!

Many unhappy subscribers commenting on the letter received from VM about the impending loss of their TV service from the 18th April - https://www.facebook.com/VirginMediaIreland/photos/a.118557398172495.16144.116913825003519/1181481545213403/?type=3&theater

Greenmachine

Does this affect all Virgin Media TV customers, or is it limited to certain areas?

The Cush

Greenmachine wrote: »

Does this affect all Virgin Media TV customers, or is it limited to certain areas?

All Virgin Media MMDS customers i.e. those that receive their TV service via an MMDS aerial on the roof, doesn't apply to their cabled customers.

Greenmachine

The Cush wrote: »

All Virgin Media MMDS customers i.e. those that receive their TV service via an MMDS aerial on the roof, doesn't apply to their cabled customers.

Okay thanks for confirming. I was not familiar with the acronym.

brayguy

will this mean the old analog channels for cable customers will disappear?

Joo0

brayguy wrote: »

will this mean the old analog channels for cable customers will disappear?

No, analog will remain for now, but it is expected that it will be switched off by the end of the year to make away for faster broadband. More discussion over on the broadband form.

Joo0

The Cush wrote: »

From a message posted on the Virgin Media facebook page





Many unhappy subscribers commenting on the letter received from VM about the impending loss of their TV service from the 18th April - https://www.facebook.com/VirginMediaIreland/photos/a.118557398172495.16144.116913825003519/1181481545213403/?type=3&theater

I don't see what they are complaining about. If he has broadband with Virgin I don't see why he's on MMDS. He must be able to get digital tv if he's getting broadband. Again clueless customers moaning about things they have no idea about.

The Cush

Joo0 wrote: »

If he has broadband with Virgin I don't see why he's on MMDS. He must be able to get digital tv if he's getting broadband.

I've seen it posted here previously, MMDS for TV and cable fed broadband/phone no digital TV.

icdg

Joo0 wrote: »

No, analog will remain for now, but it is expected that it will be switched off by the end of the year to make away for faster broadband. More discussion over on the broadband form.

"Expected" by whom? I've read the two threads over in Broadband and must have missed the place where analogue switch off is mentioned. That will be an even bigger battle than this, because there are plenty of Dublin households continuing to use analogue to run kitchen TV sets, and they can't blame Comreg either.

JTMan

icdg wrote: »

"Expected" by whom? I've read the two threads over in Broadband and must have missed the place where analogue switch off is mentioned. That will be an even bigger battle than this, because there are plenty of Dublin households continuing to use analogue to run kitchen TV sets, and they can't blame Comreg either.

Alan Glynn, head of network engineering at Virgin Media Ireland, says here, that Virgin Media Ireland need to free up spectrum for D3.1. Lab trials and possibly field trials later in 2016. Closing analogue is one of the few ways that Virgin Media Ireland can free up spectrum. However, if trails are only going to occur in late 2016, it would seem more likely that the switch off of analogue will be in 2017 at the earliest.

mackersdublin

He doesn't mention Analogue in that interview

Wabbit Ears

mackersdublin wrote: »

He doesn't mention Analogue in that interview

While he intentionally avoided the use of the word, he was referring specifically to the analogue spectrum.

Kristopherus

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the licence for that spectrum was due to expire in 2018.

icdg

Analogue doesn't have an expiry date, they can run it as long as they like. Remember cable is a closed system.

MMDS has already had several stays of execution, it's days have been numbered for years but it's understandable Virgin hasn't been keen on publicising its fact (and essentially, as they must now do, send its customers to Sky).

Niemoj

Kristopherus wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the licence for that spectrum was due to expire in 2018.

It was originally due to expire on 18/4/14 but ComReg extended it for 2 years and so it's not 18/4/16.

The Cush

Kristopherus wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the licence for that spectrum was due to expire in 2018.

The 2003 MMDS Regulation extended the MMDS licences to 18 April 2014. The regulation also allowed for a possible up to 5 year extension of the licences by Comreg, to April 2019, following a review starting after 18 April 2010.

Following a number of consultations and reports Comreg decided that a 2 year extension was sufficient (3 years from publication of the decision), to 18 April 2016, for UPC to wind down the service.

The Cush

Galway Advertiser article on the MMDS switchoff - http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/82070/changes-abound-for-lots-of-tv-viewers-in-galway

The Cush

They've partnered with Actavo (aka Sierra) to remove the equipment according to thia tweet, no mention of the cost

https://twitter.com/VirginMediaIE/status/687376051366924288
https://twitter.com/VirginMediaIE/status/687376239812866049

bk

icdg wrote: »

"Expected" by whom? I've read the two threads over in Broadband and must have missed the place where analogue switch off is mentioned. That will be an even bigger battle than this, because there are plenty of Dublin households continuing to use analogue to run kitchen TV sets, and they can't blame Comreg either.

Liberty Global has already closed down analogue TV services in other European markets like Austria and now are in the process of doing so in the bigger markets like Germany.

It is only a matter of time until it happens here to make room for DOCSIS 3.1. The analogue channels are a very wasteful use of space.

I agree that it will be a controversial move as so many people, including digital TV customers use it as a free multichannel TV.

Interestingly in Austria/Germany, etc. they reduced these concerns by leaving roughly 50 of the digital channels unencrypted. So people with DVB-C STBs or compatible TV's could receive the 50 channels for free still. They even offer a converter box for older TVs for free.

It would be great if Virgin did the same here. At least unencrypt the equivalent 17 DVB-C channels, at least add a few extra channels. It would make it far more acceptable to switch off then.

In time, I could also see them move to Mpeg-4 and a switched digital platform to save even more space and give more to BB.

L1011

Unlikely as that probably is, half my TVs here DVB-C tuners - would be very handy.

icdg

Some hysteria about this in some local media - my local newspaper has a front page article stating that "thousands of UPC customers have been told to go elsewhere" without any mention that it is only applicable to MMDS. The area is suburban and heavily cabled. Go figure, they also haven't noticed that UPC is called Virgin Media now.

The Cush

Interview with VM CEO Tony Hanway in the Independent today, the loss of 24,000 MMDS got a mention

It might be pointed out that Virgin's expansion is probably needed to make up for the 24,000 MMDS customers it will lose in April due to the repurposing of the relevant spectrum. But Hanway insists the new fixed line network build will "clearly exceed" the loss of 24,000 MMDS customers.

http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/news/the-cable-broadband-boss-whos-betting-big-on-ireland-incs-economic-recovery-34402446.html

L1011

I suspect the 'add' is more a case of 'patch up, extend and fix analogue only'. Easier to try work with whatever wayleave documents have made it through multiple sales and whatever ducts haven't collapsed and get new ones as required than it is to start from scratch. Still a (now far smaller) hole in Maynooth that's analogue-only for instance.

bk

L1011 wrote: »

I suspect the 'add' is more a case of 'patch up, extend and fix analogue only'. Easier to try work with whatever wayleave documents have made it through multiple sales and whatever ducts haven't collapsed and get new ones as required than it is to start from scratch. Still a (now far smaller) hole in Maynooth that's analogue-only for instance.

I agree that they will certainly start with the low hanging fruit of existing cabled but non upgraded areas. However I do think that their plans may well extend beyond this and that they may in fact extend beyond existing cabled areas and will cable up whole towns.

That seems to be the plan for Virgins £3 Billion expansion in the UK and reading between the lines it seems like Virgin Ireland maybe getting some of that money too to expand.

Don't get me wrong, they won't be expanding into low density rural areas, but I do think we will see them expanding into high density towns and villages.

The Cush

Article in this week's Limerick Leader on MMDS switchoff

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/202320/Rural-TV-customers-in-Limerick-may.html

plodder

I only heard about this the other day. Pretty poor form by Virgin (or their predecessor) to leave it so late to tell people. Anyone know why comreg have decided to switch it off?

No cable or even decent broadband out where I am. FTTH promised by 2020. So, why is this happening 4 years earlier?

The Cush

plodder wrote: »

Anyone's know why comreg have decided to switch it off?

See their decision here - http://www.comreg.ie/publications/response_to_consultation_and_final_decision_on_proposal_to_renew_the_existing_mmds_licences_from_19_april_2014_to_18_april_2016.583.104337.p.html

Basically it's to harmonise its use with the rest of Europe and in the process generate a financial dividend for the state.

Joo0

Anyone looking for a deal on Sky that are moving from MMDS: https://www.livingsocial.com/ie/cities/1677-national-ireland/deals/1583470-up-to-34-off-sky-tv-for-a-year
Not the best offer but it is better than what is on the Sky website.

plodder

The Cush wrote: »

See their decision here - http://www.comreg.ie/publications/response_to_consultation_and_final_decision_on_proposal_to_renew_the_existing_mmds_licences_from_19_april_2014_to_18_april_2016.583.104337.p.html

Basically it's to harmonise its use with the rest of Europe and in the process generate a financial dividend for the state.

Thanks. When you look at the wall to wall public information that was put out leading to the analog switch-off, this seems remarkably cavalier and blasé.

Imagine if the attitude then was - We're switching it off in just over a month. Here's a leaflet for Sky. Bye bye.

cocoman

The Cush wrote: »

They've partnered with Actavo (aka Sierra) to remove the equipment according to thia tweet, no mention of the cost

https://twitter.com/VirginMediaIE/status/687376051366924288
https://twitter.com/VirginMediaIE/status/687376239812866049

To update the above - Actavo or whoever Virgin have contracted are looking for €160 to remove their equipment. I think I'll pass !!!!!

The Cush

icdg wrote: »

Some hysteria about this in some local media - my local newspaper has a front page article stating that "thousands of UPC customers have been told to go elsewhere" without any mention that it is only applicable to MMDS. The area is suburban and heavily cabled. Go figure, they also haven't noticed that UPC is called Virgin Media now.

Similar article here in the Local News (west Dublin edition) from Feb 5th, inaccurate in places

http://localnews.ie/20000westdublintvstobeblocked.html

L1011

"in places" - there are barely 20000 MMDS customers *at all* let alone in West Dublin! I wonder has that been written by the poster here who keeps insisting that the licence was renewable (it wasn't)...

There was 22,200 customers as of the last report and I doubt many if any had 3 to 4 boxes so the 60-80k number is even further nonsense.

cocoman

For those who haven't yet arranged any alternative to their MMDS service (which is closing down v soon) - Sky have an offer on of a free 32" LG TV for those who sign up to Sky online.
I had already made the switch over before the offer was announced

mackersdublin

cocoman wrote: »

For those who haven't yet arranged any alternative to their MMDS service (which is closing down v soon) - Sky have an offer on of a free 32" LG TV for those who sign up to Sky online.
I had already made the switch over before the offer was announced

T&C's...
32” LG TV for new Sky customers joining Sky TV with the HD pack online. TV will be dispatched within 90 days of activation. One per new customer household. Subject to stock availability. Colour and model may vary. Not available with any other offer. Box and set up fees may apply. Offer ends 21 April 2016.

steveon

cocoman wrote: »

For those who haven't yet arranged any alternative to their MMDS service (which is closing down v soon) - Sky have an offer on of a free 32" LG TV for those who sign up to Sky online.
I had already made the switch over before the offer was announced

That offer has been around for months, previously a Samsung table.. I would double check and you have 14 days to cancel anything so cancel and signup again if they refuse to give it to you....

colm_mcm

Pretty misleading advert for billfree article

cocoman

steveon wrote: »

That offer has been around for months, previously a Samsung table.. I would double check and you have 14 days to cancel anything so cancel and signup again if they refuse to give it to you....

It definitely wasn't there when I signed up (over 14 days ago). I did get a deal on the bundle and multiroom so I'm probably better off anyway

colm_mcm

They only reintroduced the free telly offer a few days ago. They were doing it before Christmas too.

The Cush

RTÉ news report on the ending of MMDS tonight 10,000 households affected by end of MMDS network

Six One News: http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2016/0418/20972104-mmds-transmission-network-to-be-switched-off-at-midnight/
Nine News: http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2016/0418/20972177-10000-households-to-lose-television-signal-when-mmds-switches-off/

and an RTÉ News report from 26 years ago, to the month, at the launch of the service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFBSjuiyUY

galtee boy

The MMDS shutdown has been some boost for Sky. Unless customers go the FTA route, it's only SKY that they can turn to.

plodder

galtee boy wrote: »

The MMDS shutdown has been some boost for Sky. Unless customers go the FTA route, it's only SKY that they can turn to.

I delayed doing anything about it until last night, and was surprised to get an appointment for Sky installation in a few days. Maybe, in the Dublin area they have enough installers to cope with the influx. I wonder what it's like elsewhere in country.

I was a bit pee'd off over the suddenness of it, but frankly MMDS was a dinosaur system and it looks like I'll be paying Sky much the same for the same range of channels (hopefully with a higher picture quality as the MMDS seemed to be very heavily compressed and not great quality).

It's just a pity that it couldn't be delayed until Eir's fibre installation in our area. I'd have preferred some kind of all in bundle with phone and broadband etc.

bk

plodder wrote: »

I delayed doing anything about it until last night, and was surprised to get an appointment for Sky installation in a few days. Maybe, in the Dublin area they have enough installers to cope with the influx. I wonder what it's like elsewhere in country.

Virgin have very few if any customers left on MMDS in Dublin. In Dublin the majority of people are on cable and are not affected by this switch off. MMDS is largely a rural thing and there were few people left on it.

plodder wrote: »

I was a bit pee'd off over the suddenness of it, but frankly MMDS was a dinosaur system and it looks like I'll be paying Sky much the same for the same range of channels (hopefully with a higher picture quality as the MMDS seemed to be very heavily compressed and not great quality).

The MMDS switch off has been known for a few years now! Though Virgin do seem to have been slow to tell customers directly.

It is shocking how anyone was still on MMDS given how bad quality it was compared to Sky or Saorview+Freesat.

With Sky (and Saorview+Freesat) you will find that you will get FAR more channels, with a far better picture and sound quality and user experience then MMDS for about the same money (or for free with Saorview+Freesat).

plodder

bk wrote: »

Virgin have very few if any customers left on MMDS in Dublin. In Dublin the majority of people are on cable and are not affected by this switch off. MMDS is largely a rural thing and there were few people left on it.

Well I wasn't making it up Myself and many of my neighbours were still on it. There is a significant rural area in (county) Dublin

Passenger

Hi guys, can anybody advise on suitable service providers? The folks were UPC/Virgin TV customers and now need to know who can provide a similar service for similar fees. Thanks for any suggestions.

plodder

Passenger wrote: »

Hi guys, can anybody advise on suitable service providers? The folks were UPC/Virgin TV customers and now need to know who can provide a similar service for similar fees. Thanks for any suggestions.

They should get Saorview at least. You get the local terrestrial channels including HD without subscription. All they need is set top box and an aerial.

Next question is how to get UK terrestrial channels. They could get a Sky dish and buy an old Sky box which gives you the basic UK channels for free. There are installers around who would setup the above for a one off cost.

Next option is a proper Sky subscription. They'd probably have to go for this if they want Sky sports or movies. What I've gone for is a very similar setup to what I had with UPC - two boxes with the Variety bundle which looks very similar to the basic package with UPC. The cost looks about the same around 50 euro a month. There are other options including a "free" 32 inch TV.

Another possibility could be if they have very good broadband and can get TV through that from Eir or Vodafone.

swoofer

Had the same happen to a neighbour in clare, had to ring Virgin helpdesk and they confirmed no letter had been sent out to theM and even though the person had paid up until end of May they will send out a final bill but no refund!! The person will have to contact them again!! weird.

They can get saorview but aerial is poor. Sky can be had for 29.50 a month and installed within 7 days BUT sky only provide service when payment is by DD. I was surprised at that. They were paying 42 a month for a crummy service.

LeinsterDub

swoofer wrote: »

Had the same happen to a neighbour in clare, had to ring Virgin helpdesk and they confirmed no letter had been sent out to theM and even though the person had paid up until end of May they will send out a final bill but no refund!! The person will have to contact them again!! weird.

In no way is it legal for them to charge for a service they are no longer providing. Refund from today to the end of May should be issued immediately

Elmo

What channels were offered on MMDS, did they still provide an analogue service to the end?

The Cush

swoofer wrote: »

Had the same happen to a neighbour in clare, had to ring Virgin helpdesk and they confirmed no letter had been sent out to theM and even though the person had paid up until end of May they will send out a final bill but no refund!! The person will have to contact them again!! weird.

This is from their MMDS shutdown FAQ but I'd still contact them

I just got my bill and paid for next month (3 months/year) already…will I get this money back?

If you have paid your bill past the cancellation date, don’t worry we will refund you for all money paid past that date.

https://www.virginmedia.ie/mmds/