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?
This happens everywhere, I’ve experienced it many times. On the phone, it sounded like we could get "real" 100 Mbit/s if we wanted.
And the time frame is only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They also explained on the phone that all telephone sockets in the house would need to be checked. I said we don’t have any telephone sockets, only network cables. He then said that if cables go in and out on both sides of that small telecom box, then the setup is already so “modern” that no technician needs to come inside the house. That’s also the case with us.
So why does someone still have to come, even though “the system” shows it’s not necessary—let’s see.
I was expecting much worse than a three-week notice and would have been surprised if the credit process wasn’t as straightforward as it was previously said to be. So far, I have nothing to complain about.
And the time frame is only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They also explained on the phone that all telephone sockets in the house would need to be checked. I said we don’t have any telephone sockets, only network cables. He then said that if cables go in and out on both sides of that small telecom box, then the setup is already so “modern” that no technician needs to come inside the house. That’s also the case with us.
So why does someone still have to come, even though “the system” shows it’s not necessary—let’s see.
I was expecting much worse than a three-week notice and would have been surprised if the credit process wasn’t as straightforward as it was previously said to be. So far, I have nothing to complain about.
We have now decided against a traditional landline phone connection:
- Telekom only offers 16 Mbit/s, and no further upgrades are planned in the foreseeable future.
- Kabel Deutschland provides 150 Mbit/s.
- There is a subsidiary of the municipal utilities working on fiber optic expansion, but they will not be extending service to our street within the next two years. However, an empty conduit for fiber optic cable will be installed now, so we can easily upgrade when the time comes.
I will get both internet and phone service—just like now—through Kabel Deutschland, while TV will continue to be received via satellite.
I know that by doing this, I am basically relying solely on Kabel Deutschland, which will have something like a monopoly for our house. However, I really don’t have any other practical option. And just to be clear, I am not willing to pay over 800€ for a phone line I probably will never use, only to have the option to switch providers if needed.
- Telekom only offers 16 Mbit/s, and no further upgrades are planned in the foreseeable future.
- Kabel Deutschland provides 150 Mbit/s.
- There is a subsidiary of the municipal utilities working on fiber optic expansion, but they will not be extending service to our street within the next two years. However, an empty conduit for fiber optic cable will be installed now, so we can easily upgrade when the time comes.
I will get both internet and phone service—just like now—through Kabel Deutschland, while TV will continue to be received via satellite.
I know that by doing this, I am basically relying solely on Kabel Deutschland, which will have something like a monopoly for our house. However, I really don’t have any other practical option. And just to be clear, I am not willing to pay over 800€ for a phone line I probably will never use, only to have the option to switch providers if needed.
That’s exactly the decision we’ve made! Originally, we planned to have both the cable company and the telecom provider install connections. However, at our location, the telecom provider can only offer 2 MBit/s (about 2 Mbps) — and no, that’s not a typo — while the cable company offers 100 MBit/s (approximately 100 Mbps). The difference is huge. There are no plans for the telecom provider to expand their service in our area anytime soon. Therefore, we intended to have phone and internet via cable, and TV through satellite. We would have only installed a telecom connection as a backup and “because that’s how it’s usually done.” But in the end, we decided against it since 800 euros for a possibility that most likely won’t arise for many years seemed too expensive to us. However, an empty conduit is already installed, in case an upgrade is wanted at some point.
I also chose a 400 Mbps cable.
Who still needs a landline phone nowadays? Everyone has a mobile phone and can be called directly. Plus, you always have it with you in your pocket, so you don’t have to run through the whole house...
Thanks to messengers and similar apps, I make no more than one call per month anyway.
Who still needs a landline phone nowadays? Everyone has a mobile phone and can be called directly. Plus, you always have it with you in your pocket, so you don’t have to run through the whole house...
Thanks to messengers and similar apps, I make no more than one call per month anyway.
P
Peanuts7410 Jul 2017 12:4577.willo schrieb:
I also chose a 400 Mbit cable connection.
Who still needs a landline phone these days? Everyone has a mobile phone and can be called directly. Plus, it’s always with you in your pocket, so you don’t have to run through the entire house...
Thanks to messengers and similar apps, I hardly make more than one call a month anyway.Only one call a month as a manager? Respect!
Peanuts74 schrieb:
Only one call per month as a manager? Respect!Making phone calls can be delegated
Work calls anyway come through on the work mobile phone
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