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 called the customer hotline this morning and explained my issue. They asked for the order number and customer number, then forwarded the case internally. A callback was supposed to happen later in the afternoon.
Our connection was installed shortly before Christmas 2016.
The callback just happened; I was asked if I had already been informed about the credit. The amount of 400 EUR was mentioned directly by the telecom representative without me asking for it.
MagentaZuhause M = 50 Mbit/s (without Entertain = without TV):
First 12 months at 19.95 EUR
Second 12 months at 39.95 EUR
One-time activation fee: 70 EUR
According to the telecom, some payment is required with the first invoice (keyword was sham transaction). From the second invoice onwards, the 400 EUR credit will be applied gradually.
According to the telecom, this results in an average monthly cost of 16.25 EUR over the first two years. I calculated it myself – it matches.
The router rental would cost 5 EUR per month. I prefer to use my own equipment.
Activation is scheduled for early May.
If everything works as explained over the phone, I have to say: hats off, Telekom!
Our connection was installed shortly before Christmas 2016.
The callback just happened; I was asked if I had already been informed about the credit. The amount of 400 EUR was mentioned directly by the telecom representative without me asking for it.
MagentaZuhause M = 50 Mbit/s (without Entertain = without TV):
First 12 months at 19.95 EUR
Second 12 months at 39.95 EUR
One-time activation fee: 70 EUR
According to the telecom, some payment is required with the first invoice (keyword was sham transaction). From the second invoice onwards, the 400 EUR credit will be applied gradually.
According to the telecom, this results in an average monthly cost of 16.25 EUR over the first two years. I calculated it myself – it matches.
The router rental would cost 5 EUR per month. I prefer to use my own equipment.
Activation is scheduled for early May.
If everything works as explained over the phone, I have to say: hats off, Telekom!
Today I received the order confirmation by email.
The date confirmed by phone as May 2nd was changed to May 3rd. Contrary to the phone information that no technician would need to visit the house, it is now required. Neither is a problem.
A credit of 400 EUR is also included in the confirmation.
However, it seems the telecom provider is covering themselves regarding the speed. Magenta M = 50 Mbit/s, but according to the confirmation, the speed will range between 27.9 and 51.3 Mbit/s. Since the availability check shows 100 Mbit/s at the neighboring houses, I assume that I will also receive the full 50 Mbit/s.
The date confirmed by phone as May 2nd was changed to May 3rd. Contrary to the phone information that no technician would need to visit the house, it is now required. Neither is a problem.
A credit of 400 EUR is also included in the confirmation.
However, it seems the telecom provider is covering themselves regarding the speed. Magenta M = 50 Mbit/s, but according to the confirmation, the speed will range between 27.9 and 51.3 Mbit/s. Since the availability check shows 100 Mbit/s at the neighboring houses, I assume that I will also receive the full 50 Mbit/s.
Availability checks are not very reliable. We were told 100 Mbps was possible, but in the end, only 25 Mbps. And Telekom calls that “fast” ^^. During the technical assessment, they told us upfront that only 25 Mbps would be achievable, and now we consistently get that speed.
The values from the assessment will probably be accurate. They rescheduled our technician appointment twice without giving any reasons. The first appointment was fixed with me, but the following ones were just set within a time window from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, which is not very convenient for work. In the end, it turned out that no technician was needed at all. If I had taken time off work specifically for this, I would have been really upset. So, things don’t run smoothly there, but that was just a minor issue; financially and with the connection, everything worked out.
The values from the assessment will probably be accurate. They rescheduled our technician appointment twice without giving any reasons. The first appointment was fixed with me, but the following ones were just set within a time window from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, which is not very convenient for work. In the end, it turned out that no technician was needed at all. If I had taken time off work specifically for this, I would have been really upset. So, things don’t run smoothly there, but that was just a minor issue; financially and with the connection, everything worked out.
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