UTV Connect residential customer base acquired by Vodafone Ireland

Sully · 03-06-2014 11:02AM #1

Dear Customer,

I am writing to advise you that following a strategic review of our business earlier this year, it was decided that the UTV Group would focus on broadcasting and exit from non-core activities including UTV Connect.

As a result of this decision we have signed an agreement with Vodafone Ireland to acquire our residential customer base in the Republic of Ireland which will ensure you continue to receive a high quality service from a well respected telecoms provider.

In the next few days Vodafone Ireland will be writing to you directly to outline how the switchover of your current service will take place.

In the meantime you don’t need to do anything, just keep enjoying your service with UTV Connect.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom and support.

If you have any queries please call us on 1890 926 000 or email us at admin@utvconnect.com

Yours sincerely,

So there we have it. It's a long goodbye. UTV have departed the broadband market and are handing it over to Vodafone. Wonder how much of a customer base UTV actually had? Must be the reason why they pulled out selling fibre and haven't been responding to my complaint with Comreg for poor BB speeds. At least with the switch over, I can get fibre.

03-06-2014 11:38AM

Just got my letter this morning from Vodafone, nothing at all from UTV.

Think I may need to find a new Broadband provider, Vodafone customer service sucks.

This is the first time ive heard anything about it.

Not sure if the transfer has gone through yet, but my Broadband speeds have dropped already!

Squiggle · 03-06-2014 11:51AM

Just opened the Vodafone letter too. Appalling that I have had no contact from UTV and I've been with them for 10 years :mad:. Only know one other person with Vodafone broadband near me and they think it's shíte. 30 days to sort something out !

ITBhoy · 03-06-2014 11:51AM

Yip, got the email from UTV this am , I hope the honour the off peak calls to the UK !

03-06-2014 12:10PM

ITBhoy wrote: »

Yip, got the email from UTV this am , I hope the honour the off peak calls to the UK !

I have anytime calls to the UK, in their letter they say they will be giving me this.

In fairness to Vodafone everything they mention looks to be exactly the same terms as I had with UTV. They even say I will be getting a new Modem.

But Im appalled that UTV didn't even have the decency to mention this to their customers, like above I have been with them for years and still haven't been contacted about the change. Vodafone my only contact so far!

I used to be with Vodafone for mobile Broadband and found their service appalling, as for cancellation they denied they ever received cancellation letters from me despite them begin recorded!

Edit:

As I type the UTV email has come through! lol

irishgeo · 03-06-2014 12:11PM

this explains them pulling the email server as well.

Sully · 03-06-2014 01:52PM

Got the letter in today's post. Am I the only one who thought it was poor of them not to send out the email a few days before Vodafone got in touch?

AlanS181824 · 03-06-2014 02:44PM

Another case of BT Ireland it seems.

ITBhoy · 03-06-2014 03:38PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I have anytime calls to the UK, in their letter they say they will be giving me this.

In fairness to Vodafone everything they mention looks to be exactly the same terms as I had with UTV. They even say I will be getting a new Modem.

But Im appalled that UTV didn't even have the decency to mention this to their customers, like above I have been with them for years and still haven't been contacted about the change. Vodafone my only contact so far!

I used to be with Vodafone for mobile Broadband and found their service appalling, as for cancellation they denied they ever received cancellation letters from me despite them begin recorded!

Edit:

As I type the UTV email has come through! lol

Thanks for the heads up on the Vodafone letter , glad we will still be getting free calls to the UK , the jury is out though on VFs customer service !

deaglan169 · 03-06-2014 04:59PM

ill probably stick with them although will do some looking aorund around tonight at other service providers, what modem does vodafone supply does anyone know?, id rather just enter my new username and password onto exsiting hub

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 06:08PM

Got my letter this morning and have to say I was fuming. Not so much as a peep out of utv. I rang first thing and got a well prepared statement from customer service they said that I should have gotten an email a bloody email it's now 1802 and still no email just goes to show they don't give a ****e about their customer base and to think I was with them for 10+ years. Also have been having problems (for the first time I must say) in the last 3-4 weeks with my speed what a coincidence. The package they are offering is also not the same all my unlimited landline calls to ireland and the uk are now off peak calls. Once again the irish consumer is being screwed over. I wonder is the €40 going to be for a limited time only and just when you think it's all good they will up it a screw us over again good old ireland hey ya got to love this country.

AlanS181824 · 03-06-2014 06:12PM

deaglan169 wrote: »

ill probably stick with them although will do some looking aorund around tonight at other service providers, what modem does vodafone supply does anyone know?, id rather just enter my new username and password onto exsiting hub

They provide the Huawei HG558c, I think that's the model anyway.

It looks like this.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6oknqbjr680owgg/IMG_20140603_181240.jpg

Sully · 03-06-2014 06:12PM

INFODAD wrote: »

Got my letter this morning and have to say I was fuming. Not so much as a peep out of utv. I rang first thing and got a well prepared statement from customer service they said that I should have gotten an email a bloody email it's now 1802 and still no email just goes to show they don't give a ****e about their customer base and to think I was with them for 10+ years. Also have been having problems (for the first time I must say) in the last 3-4 weeks with my speed what a coincidence. The package they are offering is also not the same all my unlimited landline calls to ireland and the uk are now off peak calls. Once again the irish consumer is being screwed over. I wonder is the €40 going to be for a limited time only and just when you think it's all good they will up it a screw us over again good old ireland hey ya got to love this country.

I'm in the same boat, but I got my email this morning and the letter this afternoon from Voda.

The closest package is €47.50 with Vodafone. The only difference was that it didn't give UK Mobile calls. But I still get unlimited local national and UK calls day or night, 100mins to Irish Mobiles & UK Landlines. Fibre BB too.

I was in the boat where my speeds were shocking and I made a complaint, for the second time, to Comreg. This time, UTV didn't bother engaging with my complaint and ignored my email to them.

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 06:25PM

AlanS181824 wrote: »

They provide the Huawei HG558c, I think that's the model anyway.

Heard this Huawei modem is a piece of crap anyone got experience of it?

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 06:30PM

Well utv are ditching the broadband in ireland and in the near future offering TV packages. I am one ex customer that was with them for 10+ years that will not be getting their TV service after this.

AlanS181824 · 03-06-2014 06:31PM

INFODAD wrote: »

Heard this Huawei modem is a piece of crap anyone got experience of it?

I have it and I think it's good.

Considering it was free it's grand, has good range.

If you're really bothered you could get an 802.11ac router and use the Huawei one as a bridge.

Sully · 03-06-2014 06:54PM

INFODAD wrote: »

Well utv are ditching the broadband in ireland and in the near future offering TV packages. I am one ex customer that was with them for 10+ years that will not be getting their TV service after this.

I assumed they meant offering a TV Channel, not a TV Service like Sky.

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 06:55PM

Well utv are ditching the broadband in ireland and in the near future offering TV packages. I am one ex customer that was with them for 10+ years that will not be getting their TV service after this.

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 07:05PM

Sully wrote: »

I assumed they meant offering a TV Channel, not a TV Service like Sky.

My bad I was led to believe it was a TV service. Sorry for getting that one wrong I'm just very angry to be to find out what is happening from vodaphone and not UTV I guess I'm worried that vodaphone are going to be less than satisfactory to deal with and my service will suffer as a result. The TV or sky could could go in my house and no one would bat an eyelid but if the broadband starts acting up or goes there will be an uprising in the house (kids and all )

Sully · 03-06-2014 07:11PM

INFODAD wrote: »

My bad I was led to believe it was a TV service. Sorry for getting that one wrong I'm just very angry to be to find out what is happening from vodaphone and not UTV I guess I'm worried that vodaphone are going to be less than satisfactory to deal with and my service will suffer as a result. The TV or sky could could go in my house and no one would bat an eyelid but if the broadband starts acting up or goes there will be an uprising in the house (kids and all )

Their email says;

... it was decided that the UTV Group would focus on broadcasting and exit from non-core activities including UTV Connect.

UTV are in the process of setting up their new TV Channel in Ireland. It's highly unlikely they would enter the TV race without having broadband as an option tbh. UTV do not offer fibre, Vodafone do. So that's a help.

INFODAD · 03-06-2014 07:18PM

Sully wrote: »

Their email says;

UTV are in the process of setting up their new TV Channel in Ireland. It's highly unlikely they would enter the TV race without having broadband as an option tbh. UTV do not offer fibre, Vodafone do. So that's a help.

Unfortunately I live in the countryside I get a great service from utv better in fact than my Inlaws that live in Greystones much faster in fact. As for fibre I think where I live I won't see it coming to my area any time soon.

Murtx · 03-06-2014 09:40PM

Hi,

Just got the Vodafone letter today. I had unlimited calls to UK and Ireland and unlimited data allowance for about €41 pm. Vodafone are delighted to offer me a 40GB allowance and off-peak calls to Ireland and 200 off-peak minutes to Vodafone mobiles (which is pretty useless to me) and this for €40 pm. For me this is not a "seamless switchover" but rather a seamless reduction in service.

I don't know if I'm being entered into a new contract with Vodafone and I can't understand how no action on my part is deemed to make these changes "deemed accepted". Have UTV sold all of my data and bank details to Vodafone?

Right now, I can get Broadband/phone from 2 providers at €30 pm for 6 months and then €40 or €45. The €40 has free calls anytime in Ireland, the other free off-peak, both are unlimited data. Seems a no-brainer to switch now. eFibre is shown as available in my area, however the test says not available yet. (I currently get about 7Mbs)

I'm interested to hear what others have to say.
Murt

Sully · 03-06-2014 09:52PM

Murtx wrote: »

Hi,

Just got the Vodafone letter today. I had unlimited calls to UK and Ireland and unlimited data allowance for about €41 pm. Vodafone are delighted to offer me a 40GB allowance and off-peak calls to Ireland and 200 off-peak minutes to Vodafone mobiles (which is pretty useless to me) and this for €40 pm. For me this is not a "seamless switchover" but rather a seamless reduction in service.

I don't know if I'm being entered into a new contract with Vodafone and I can't understand how no action on my part is deemed to make these changes "deemed accepted". Have UTV sold all of my data and bank details to Vodafone?

Right now, I can get Broadband/phone from 2 providers at €30 pm for 6 months and then €40 or €45. The €40 has free calls anytime in Ireland, the other free off-peak, both are unlimited data. Seems a no-brainer to switch now. eFibre is shown as available in my area, however the test says not available yet. (I currently get about 7Mbs)

I'm interested to hear what others have to say.
Murt

Vodafone & Sky, to the best of my knowledge, are the only two companies offering international calls. Eircom used to offer UK calls for an extra 7.50 but it was minutes based and was scrapped in fibre areas IIRC.

You're not in a contract until 30 days from receipt of the letter.

deaglan169 · 03-06-2014 09:55PM

digiweb are offering to me as i cant get fibre 24mb broadband, 350gb download allowence
Free WiFi Router
Free VoIP service
Free local & national calls evenings & weekends
Free UK Landline calls evenings & weekends
Free 30 minutes Irish & UK mobile calls evenings & weekends

all this for €39.95 but a €49 once off setup fee which is a bit steep

Sully · 03-06-2014 10:06PM

deaglan169 wrote: »

digiweb are offering to me as i cant get fibre 24mb broadband, 350gb download allowence
Free WiFi Router
Free VoIP service
Free local & national calls evenings & weekends
Free UK Landline calls evenings & weekends
Free 30 minutes Irish & UK mobile calls evenings & weekends

all this for €39.95 but a €49 once off setup fee which is a bit steep

Careful with the VoIP service. Sometimes the call quality isn't great, and your phone needs to be connected to the modem (in some cases).

Lissavane · 03-06-2014 10:10PM

Murtx wrote: »

Hi,

Just got the Vodafone letter today. I had unlimited calls to UK and Ireland and unlimited data allowance for about €41 pm. Vodafone are delighted to offer me a 40GB allowance and off-peak calls to Ireland and 200 off-peak minutes to Vodafone mobiles (which is pretty useless to me) and this for €40 pm. For me this is not a "seamless switchover" but rather a seamless reduction in service.

I don't know if I'm being entered into a new contract with Vodafone and I can't understand how no action on my part is deemed to make these changes "deemed accepted". Have UTV sold all of my data and bank details to Vodafone?

Right now, I can get Broadband/phone from 2 providers at €30 pm for 6 months and then €40 or €45. The €40 has free calls anytime in Ireland, the other free off-peak, both are unlimited data. Seems a no-brainer to switch now. eFibre is shown as available in my area, however the test says not available yet. (I currently get about 7Mbs)

I'm interested to hear what others have to say.
Murt

I'm in a similar situation, slightly different plan but more than adequate for my needs.

I have no use for free calls to vodafone mobiles from my landline.

Inclusive off-peak calls to Britain were important to me. The only options available in my area seem to be Vodafone or Eircom. Either of these will probably cost me E10 per month more than UTV for my usage pattern.

I've heard mainly negative reports about Vodafone customer support. Looks like I'll have no option but to return to Eircom having been with UTV Internet since it was established. We've been treated very shodilly.

deaglan169 · 03-06-2014 10:10PM

Sully wrote: »

Careful with the VoIP service. Sometimes the call quality isn't great, and your phone needs to be connected to the modem (in some cases).

ahh so its not a traditional phone line as such calls routed over broadband

Comhrá · 03-06-2014 11:21PM

Got my Vodafone letter this morning. I have a new On Networks router http://www.on-networks.com/products/routers/n300.aspx which I like and I'm wondering if I can continue to use this router instead the Huawei HG558c when Vodafone comes on stream?

Also, not being too tech savvy, have I to do any configuring online with settings for the new account or does it happen automatically? I want to avoid an outage during changeover if possible.

Any advice appreciated.

Whopper75 · 04-06-2014 12:01AM

tippman1 wrote: »

Got my Vodafone letter this morning. I have a new On Networks router which I like and I'm wondering if I can continue to use this router instead the Huawei HG558c when Vodafone comes on stream?

Also, not being too tech savvy, have I to do any configuring online with settings for the new account or does it happen automatically? I want to avoid an outage during changeover if possible.

Any advice appreciated.

I was just looking into the same thing myself. Basically the Huawei seems to be supplied free and will come in the post but there's nothing (yet) to suggest you MUST use it - as in if the Vodaphone service specifically requires it.

I found a help article on Vodaphone's Support site which answers the question: How do I configure my existing modem for Vodafone settings? As a long-time-lurker-first-time-poster I can't send a link but if you go to vodaphone.ie/help > Home Phone and Broadband > Set-up & installation guides - and it's the first thing on the page after [along with some other questions that people will no doubt be asking over the next month I reckon].

I don't see why setting up our own routers instead wouldn't work as instructions are given by Vodaphone to do so but I'll admit I've no experience with proprietary modems having been with UTV for over 10 years.

ED E · 04-06-2014 12:18AM

You'll be able to use your own gear. You need to set it to open a PPPoE connection with:
vodafone@vodafone.ie
broadband

If your router is just a router you'll need to bridge a DSL modem, if its a gateway with both then you'll need to set the adsl settings too:
LLC Snap encoding
Vpi 8
Vci 35
If applicable set auto between adsl and asld2+

I suspect vodafone may well.keep the utv pppoe details alive for a good while to save hassle.

Murtx · 04-06-2014 12:23AM

Hi tippman1,

(seems I can't quote you in the normal way because I'm a newbie round here!)

I can't see any reason why you can't use your current router with the Vodafone modem/router. I guess you will have to input some settings to the Vodafone modem when it arrives but that should be straightforward. (I'm assuming your N300 is just a router and it is currently connected to a broadband modem?)

I'm currently using a Netgear N600 router with a TPLink Modem/Router connected to UTV Internet. I'm more than a little rusty on Networking, but I think it's unlikely that you'll have to change router settings.

For the other comments on my post above, ta to all.

Regards,
Murt

UTV Connect residential customer base acquired by Vodafone Ireland

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