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UPC MMDS Price Hike

  • 12-12-2013 07:16PM
    #1
    sin0city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 698 ✭✭✭


    I'm not sure if this has been covered already but I thought it was worth pointing out the size of the price increase. I got a letter last week from UPC saying that:

    "Due to rising supplier costs, we need to increase your monthly subscription..."

    By €6 a month. My bill is currently €30 a month so it will be €36 a month.
    Correct me if I'm wrong but that's a 20% price increase :eek:

    The letter then goes on to say that those who don't register with My UPC will face an additional charge of €3.50 a month.

    And they finish off with:

    "Our services still remain excellent value" but you've the right to cancel within 30 days.

    5%, even 10% but 20%?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    Commander Shepard
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 46 ✭Commander Shepard


    Why dont you switch to sky


  • #3
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    sin0city wrote: »
    "Due to rising supplier costs, we need to increase your monthly subscription..."

    By €6 a month. My bill is currently €30 a month so it will be €36 a month.
    Correct me if I'm wrong but that's a 20% price increase :eek:

    Probably to cover the cost of maintaining the MMDS network for an ever decreasing MMDS subscriber base, about 40,000 at the end of Sept.

    This could accelerate the number of MMDS subscribers cancelling and moving to Sky, e-vision or Saorview/Freesat in advance of the end of the MMDS service in April 2016.


  • #4
    sin0city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 698 ✭✭✭sin0city


    The Cush wrote: »
    Probably to cover the cost of maintaining the MMDS network for an ever decreasing MMDS subscriber base, about 40,000 at the end of Sept.

    This could accelerate the number of MMDS subscribers cancelling and moving to Sky, e-vision or Saorview/Freesat in advance of the end of the MMDS service in April 2016.

    Thanks, I wasn't aware the customer base was so small or that it was ending in 2016. Time to go Saorview/Freesat I think.

    Am I right in saying the MMDS receiver is no use at all for those services, or for picking up UK Freeview?


  • #5
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    sin0city wrote: »
    I wasn't aware the customer base was so small or that it was ending in 2016. Time to go Saorview/Freesat I think.

    Thread here on the auctioning of the MMDS spectrum. UPC have made no public comment since Comreg published the decision earlier this year.

    Thread here on UPC subscriber numbers.
    sin0city wrote: »
    Am I right in saying the MMDS receiver is no use at all for those services, or for picking up UK Freeview?

    The MMDS receiver is of no use for those services and in any case it remains the property of UPC unlike the aerial which you keep.


  • #6
    campo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,367 ✭✭✭campo


    I don't know how UPC still have MMDS customers

    *You can't record
    *Less channels
    *No on demand service
    *Cost just as high as Sky

    So why are people still using this service


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  • #7
    Eamo71
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 644 ✭✭✭Eamo71


    campo wrote: »
    I don't know how UPC still have MMDS customers

    *You can't record
    *Less channels
    *No on demand service
    *Cost just as high as Sky

    So why are people still using this service

    This is why I got rid of it back in the day. I seem to remember using a VCR you could only tape the station you were watching. Terrible system.


  • #8
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    campo wrote: »
    *You can't record
    *Less channels
    *No on demand service
    *Cost just as high as Sky

    So why are people still using this service

    Some of those are probably MMDS fed cable subscribers and the others are happy with the limited channels and services offered via MMDS.

    I guess UPC won't make any announcement regarding the future of MMDS until the results of the spectrum auction are known which sould be a year or so before the current licences expire. Liberty Global/UPC might bid for the spectrum.


  • #9
    Blue Crystal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 382 ✭✭Blue Crystal


    Sorry to hijack the thread but what is mmds?UPC don't mention it at all


  • #10
    campo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,367 ✭✭✭campo


    Blue Crystal wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack the thread but what is mmds?UPC don't mention it at all

    They don't mention it cause its ****e, its a big ugly looking aerial on your roof that gives your digital channels, but beware if you have a tree nearby or a gust of wind, say goodbye to the channels

    Awful service


  • #11
    campo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,367 ✭✭✭campo


    The Cush wrote: »
    Some of those are probably MMDS fed cable subscribers and the others are happy with the limited channels and services offered via MMDS.
    .

    This is the part I don't understand, I personally think it more got to do with people be very slow to change as if these people had Sky for 1 day they would never go back to UPC MMDS


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  • #12
    Nonoperational
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭Nonoperational


    Blue Crystal wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack the thread but what is mmds?UPC don't mention it at all



    It's basically wireless cable. Used to be quite popular 10 years ago.


  • #13
    sin0city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 698 ✭✭✭sin0city


    The Cush wrote: »
    Thread here on the auctioning of the MMDS spectrum. UPC have made no public comment since Comreg published the decision earlier this year.

    Thread here on UPC subscriber numbers.



    The MMDS receiver is of no use for those services and in any case it remains the property of UPC unlike the aerial which you keep.

    Thanks for the links. I don't have an aerial on my roof, just the little triangular receiver?
    campo wrote: »
    I don't know how UPC still have MMDS customers

    *You can't record
    *Less channels
    *No on demand service
    *Cost just as high as Sky

    So why are people still using this service

    That's incorrect. I have MMDS and can record, series record, pause, record 2 things at once when the box is off etc.

    I also have about 200 channels.

    Cost is less than Sky for what I wanted. I have the record box in the sitting room and a second independent box upstairs (it can't record), I'm not on the basic package and it was all for €30 a month. When I priced the basic package with Sky with a second box it was more expensive.

    campo wrote: »
    They don't mention it cause its ****e, its a big ugly looking aerial on your roof that gives your digital channels, but beware if you have a tree nearby or a gust of wind, say goodbye to the channels

    Awful service

    Again, I don't have any big ugly aerial on my roof. I have the little triangular receiver that is smaller and less obtrusive than the Sky satellite dish.

    And I have found it a very good service, although if I could get cable I'd have that instead.


  • #14
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Blue Crystal wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack the thread but what is mmds?UPC don't mention it at all

    Multipoint Microwave Distribution System (or Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service if you didn't want to mention microwaves)

    It was planned in the 1980s to bring multichannel TV to rural areas and to replace the illegal UHF Deflectors around the country in the days before Sky TV.

    It was launched here in 1990 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFBSjuiyUY and carried 11/12 analogue channels but not RTÉ1/2 as there were widely available via the standard aerial. It converted over to digital in the early 2000s.

    We were one of a handful of European countries that used the system for TV transmission. The regulator has now decided to sell off the spectrum used for MMDS and bring its use into line with the rest of Europe.


  • #15
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    sin0city wrote: »
    I don't have an aerial on my roof, just the little triangular receiver?

    One of these?
    012.jpg
    sin0city wrote: »
    That's incorrect. I have MMDS and can record, series record, pause, record 2 things at once when the box is off etc.

    I also have about 200 channels.

    There are 2 different standards used for Digital MMDS here, DVB-C and DVB-T.

    Only those areas with the DVB-C standard had an MMDS PVR i.e. the old Cablelink/ntl franchise areas of Dublin, Waterford and Galway. The rest use the DVB-T standard and a PVR was never introduced.


  • #16
    GerardKeating
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    campo wrote: »
    I don't know how UPC still have MMDS customers

    *You can't record
    *Less channels
    *No on demand service
    *Cost just as high as Sky

    So why are people still using this service

    Not exactly correct, when I had the MMDS service 5 years ago, I have the PVR box and could certainly record, unless they stopped giving it out to MMDS customers.


  • #17
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    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...

    Secondly wind does not harm MMDS signals, trees do if they sway in front of the MMDS signal, they will also cause the same harm if a Satellite Dish is in direct line with the trees as well.


  • #18
    sin0city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 698 ✭✭✭sin0city


    The Cush wrote: »
    One of these?
    012.jpg



    There are 2 different standards used for Digital MMDS here, DVB-C and DVB-T.

    Only those areas with the DVB-C standard had an MMDS PVR i.e. the old Cablelink/ntl franchise areas of Dublin, Waterford and Galway. The rest use the DVB-T standard and a PVR was never introduced.

    Yes, one of those.

    I am in the old Cablelink/ntl franchise area of Dublin.


  • #19
    sin0city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 698 ✭✭✭sin0city


    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...

    Thanks. I was wondering that alright - if they'd be obliged to take it down.
    Don't have the aerial so that's not an issue for me.


  • #20
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    sin0city wrote: »
    Yes, one of those.

    I am in the old Cablelink/ntl franchise area of Dublin.

    There was a pvr in use for MMDS it was tested in Killarney approx 2 yrs ago...never got off the ground as far as I know...it was a pace developed box if memory serves me rite.


  • #21
    campo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,367 ✭✭✭campo


    sin0city wrote: »
    Yes, one of those.

    I am in the old Cablelink/ntl franchise area of Dublin.

    Yes those area cant get a PVR, I was on about more so the areas that used to be Chorus


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  • #22
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    campo wrote: »
    Yes those area cant get a PVR, I was on about more so the areas that used to be Chorus

    Different areas had different boxes used for MMDS, boxes we used for MMDS in Limerick area was used on a cabling system in Clonmel it was so bloddy confusing when installing in areas for the first time, Im amazed MMDS is still out there and should be removed yrs ago as its appaling value for money.


  • #23
    campo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,367 ✭✭✭campo


    steveon wrote: »
    Different areas had different boxes used for MMDS, boxes we used for MMDS in Limerick area was used on a cabling system in Clonmel it was so bloddy confusing when installing in areas for the first time, Im amazed MMDS is still out there and should be removed yrs ago as its appaling value for money.

    Totally agree but I would imagine most customers for this service would be elderly and all they know is this system


  • #24
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    campo wrote: »
    Totally agree but I would imagine most customers for this service would be elderly and all they know is this system

    When I was installing most were forced to take the digital, most didnt want it some couldnt figure it out afterwards and were re-downgraded back to analog when it existed before a lot finally left and got just rte....crazy times.;


  • #25
    SpaceTime
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,088 ✭✭✭SpaceTime


    Nonoperational wrote: »
    It's basically wireless cable. Used to be quite popular 10 years ago.

    It doesn't hold a candle to cable services these days. It's like 1980s/90s cable!

    No broadband, no phone, no on demand and a limited channel line up.


  • #26
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    steveon wrote: »
    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...
    sin0city wrote: »
    I was wondering that alright - if they'd be obliged to take it down.

    Not the case here it appears
    http://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2056929407
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84196137


  • #27
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    I used to be sent out to take them down....its there property if it falls down and causes damage after you cancel their service you can sue them...I was sent out 5 or 6 yrs after ppl cancel with a waiver sheet for people to sign if they refused to allow me to get equipment back.


  • #28
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    steveon wrote: »
    I used to be sent out to take them down....its there property if it falls down and causes damage after you cancel their service you can sue them...I was sent out 5 or 6 yrs after ppl cancel with a waiver sheet for people to sign if they refused to allow me to get equipment back.

    I sent pistolpetes11 a PM to see what response he got from UPC.


  • #29
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    steveon wrote: »
    When I was installing most were forced to take the digital, most didnt want it some couldnt figure it out afterwards and were re-downgraded back to analog when it existed before a lot finally left and got just rte....crazy times.;

    Analogue MMDS lost 4 frequencies/channels around 2004 under ITU regulations which would have reduced the number of analogue channels to customers at about that time. When the frequencies weren't reused for their intended purpose UPC sought their reuse for Digital MMDS a few years ago from Comreg but I don't think that happened.


  • #30
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    The Cush wrote: »
    I sent pistolpetes11 a PM to see what response he got from UPC.

    Its their property so they will have to remove it afterwards should you request it to be, would be interested to hear what he says was the outcome


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  • #31
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,074 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    sin0city wrote: »
    I have MMDS and can record, series record, pause, record 2 things at once when the box is off etc.

    Does your subscription fee include a charge for recording functionality?
    What is the sub with a standard non-PVR box?


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