Hello,
When I was a child, for some reason, I believed that a cable connection cost 200 DM per month and that this included the ability to watch TV. For a long time, I was still under the impression *uncertainty*: that simply having the cable connection and the possibility to receive digital TV—even without a contract with the local cable network operator—already incurs basic cable fees.
Question 1: Is that correct? Or do I only have to pay a monthly fee for a cable connection if I do have a contract with the provider?
Question 2: Is it possible that if I don’t have a contract, I cannot receive TV via the cable at all, meaning I get or have been disconnected? (I’m asking because in our apartment building, we also receive TV via cable without a subscription, where there is a box from Unity Media in the basement for all residents. The connection fees for that are most likely paid directly by the landlord and passed on to us tenants.)
Question 3: Can I only get a cable connection if the street is equipped for it, meaning if the operator has actually expanded the network accordingly?
Question 4: How much does such a connection cost (up to the property boundary, with presumably another 20-30m (65-100 ft) needed on the property itself)?
According to my research, I currently understand this as: a flat rate of €600 for up to 20m (65 ft) plus €70 for each additional meter (3.3 ft).
Cheaper if, for example, a trench already exists, such as from water utilities.
Possibly cheaper if a contract is signed directly.
Question 5: What are the costs for a telecom connection accordingly?
According to my research, I currently understand this as: a flat rate of €350 plus €25 per meter (3.3 ft).
Cheaper if, for example, a trench already exists, such as from water utilities.
Possibly cheaper if a contract is signed directly.
Question 6: Does it make sense, aside from the extra costs, to install both connections to keep options open for the future, or am I overestimating the advantage of having both options available?
When I was a child, for some reason, I believed that a cable connection cost 200 DM per month and that this included the ability to watch TV. For a long time, I was still under the impression *uncertainty*: that simply having the cable connection and the possibility to receive digital TV—even without a contract with the local cable network operator—already incurs basic cable fees.
Question 1: Is that correct? Or do I only have to pay a monthly fee for a cable connection if I do have a contract with the provider?
Question 2: Is it possible that if I don’t have a contract, I cannot receive TV via the cable at all, meaning I get or have been disconnected? (I’m asking because in our apartment building, we also receive TV via cable without a subscription, where there is a box from Unity Media in the basement for all residents. The connection fees for that are most likely paid directly by the landlord and passed on to us tenants.)
Question 3: Can I only get a cable connection if the street is equipped for it, meaning if the operator has actually expanded the network accordingly?
Question 4: How much does such a connection cost (up to the property boundary, with presumably another 20-30m (65-100 ft) needed on the property itself)?
According to my research, I currently understand this as: a flat rate of €600 for up to 20m (65 ft) plus €70 for each additional meter (3.3 ft).
Cheaper if, for example, a trench already exists, such as from water utilities.
Possibly cheaper if a contract is signed directly.
Question 5: What are the costs for a telecom connection accordingly?
According to my research, I currently understand this as: a flat rate of €350 plus €25 per meter (3.3 ft).
Cheaper if, for example, a trench already exists, such as from water utilities.
Possibly cheaper if a contract is signed directly.
Question 6: Does it make sense, aside from the extra costs, to install both connections to keep options open for the future, or am I overestimating the advantage of having both options available?
I am considering the possibility that Telekom might delay the house connection for two years. UnityMedia installs the house connection for 0€. A duct will be laid underground anyway. Telekom charges a flat fee of 800€, even though they do not have to carry out any excavation work.
According to UnityMedia’s website, the connection costs 398€ if you also sign a contract with them, as I mentioned earlier. Since this information can be found on UnityMedia’s website (search term: builder service), I consider it to be the currently most accurate.
For Telekom, I can only rely on what the employee said over the phone, who stated that the connection costs a flat fee of 800€, and after activating a new contract within X months, you receive a credit of 400€.
As I said, I will first get UnityMedia but will already install an empty conduit to the street and have the Telekom connection installed in two years.
From my perspective, UnityMedia and Telekom offer almost the same conditions and follow nearly the same procedure (waiting for the utility company to dig the trench and lay the cables together, with little work for you, yet the flat fee still applies).
For Telekom, I can only rely on what the employee said over the phone, who stated that the connection costs a flat fee of 800€, and after activating a new contract within X months, you receive a credit of 400€.
As I said, I will first get UnityMedia but will already install an empty conduit to the street and have the Telekom connection installed in two years.
From my perspective, UnityMedia and Telekom offer almost the same conditions and follow nearly the same procedure (waiting for the utility company to dig the trench and lay the cables together, with little work for you, yet the flat fee still applies).
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