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

  • 09-01-2016 01:46AM
    #1
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭


    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.


«13

Comments

  • #2
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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...


  • #3
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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!

    374197.jpg

    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


  • #4
    Greenmachine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,063 ✭✭✭Greenmachine


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


  • #5
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #6
    Greenmachine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,063 ✭✭✭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.


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  • #7
    brayguy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 ✭brayguy


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


  • #8
    Joo0
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 417 ✭✭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.


  • #9
    Joo0
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 417 ✭✭Joo0


    The Cush wrote: »
    From a message posted on the Virgin Media facebook page



    374197.jpg

    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.


  • #10
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #11
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


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  • #12
    JTMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,581 ✭✭✭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.


  • #13
    mackersdublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,491 ✭✭✭mackersdublin


    He doesn't mention Analogue in that interview


  • #14
    Wabbit Ears
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,046 ✭✭✭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.


  • #15
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,902 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


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


  • #16
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭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).


  • #17
    Niemoj
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,104 ✭✭✭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.


  • #18
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #19
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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


  • #20
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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


  • #21
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,436 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


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  • #22
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,096 ✭✭✭✭L1011


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


  • #23
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #24
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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


  • #25
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,096 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #26
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,436 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #27
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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


  • #28
    plodder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,942 ✭✭✭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?

    “Fanaticism is always a sign of repressed doubt” - Carl Jung



  • #29
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,133 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #30
    Joo0
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 417 ✭✭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.


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  • #31
    plodder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,942 ✭✭✭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.

    “Fanaticism is always a sign of repressed doubt” - Carl Jung



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