I am currently considering whether to include a satellite system in the house planning or rely on a cable connection. Regardless of that, I have already applied for a telephone connection with the local provider, as I believe every house should have one.
Due to recent news that SD channels may stop broadcasting via Astra in 2022, there is speculation that a fee for satellite service might become mandatory by then. (This is already the case for HD+ channels, although they can still be viewed free in SD quality for now.)
The cable connection with Unitymedia costs around €1000, which is quite expensive and only really worthwhile if you immediately sign up for an offer from Unitymedia, as this would reduce the cost to about €400 according to my information. The question is:
a) Should I skip the cable connection and have a satellite system installed instead? In that case, I would use the Telekom network for phone and internet. Question: Will satellite remain free in the future as well?
b) Get the cable connection and use Unitymedia for phone, internet, and TV. The cost of the satellite system would then be “saved.” I would have the Telekom connection as a backup but would not use it at first.
Do you have any recommendations or tips? I’m trying to figure out which option is more economical.
Follow-up question: Is it possible to switch easily between cable providers, for example from Unitymedia to Vodafone? How does that work with “cable rights”? With telephone service, the infrastructure still belongs to Telekom, even if you use a different provider for calling.
Due to recent news that SD channels may stop broadcasting via Astra in 2022, there is speculation that a fee for satellite service might become mandatory by then. (This is already the case for HD+ channels, although they can still be viewed free in SD quality for now.)
The cable connection with Unitymedia costs around €1000, which is quite expensive and only really worthwhile if you immediately sign up for an offer from Unitymedia, as this would reduce the cost to about €400 according to my information. The question is:
a) Should I skip the cable connection and have a satellite system installed instead? In that case, I would use the Telekom network for phone and internet. Question: Will satellite remain free in the future as well?
b) Get the cable connection and use Unitymedia for phone, internet, and TV. The cost of the satellite system would then be “saved.” I would have the Telekom connection as a backup but would not use it at first.
Do you have any recommendations or tips? I’m trying to figure out which option is more economical.
Follow-up question: Is it possible to switch easily between cable providers, for example from Unitymedia to Vodafone? How does that work with “cable rights”? With telephone service, the infrastructure still belongs to Telekom, even if you use a different provider for calling.
One more tip from our electrician regarding the satellite system. If possible, avoid mounting the dish on the roof. The entry point for the mast is usually made of plastic and tends to leak regularly due to movement of the dish. Accessibility is poor if anything gets corroded, flooded, or twisted by the wind. After all, nobody wants to climb onto the roof. If possible, always mount the dish on a carport or garage. Secure, easily accessible, and simple to install. That’s his advice. That’s what we did. Karsten
Nordlys schrieb:
The mast flashing is usually made of plastic and often leaks over time due to movement of the solar panel. Accessibility is poor when something corrodes, floods, or gets twisted by storms.This is rather the exception than the rule... nowadays, every reputable roof tile manufacturer offers roof flashings in all shapes and colors...
It’s usually the installers, etc., who source the fake plastic tiles... it’s simply cheaper and provides a higher profit margin...
B
BenutzerPC18 Jun 2017 13:17We have already included network outlets in the plan.
My current calculation is as follows: If I get 3Play from Unitymedia for €35 (approximately $37) that also includes the private HD+ channels, or if I choose a DSL connection with a flat-rate phone service (which usually doesn't come below €30 (about $32)), I would still need to buy a satellite HD+ card for €5 (around $5.30). So, the costs balance out. However, for the satellite system, I would need to install a satellite dish, which will certainly cost more than the €400 (approximately $425) Unitymedia connection.
Additionally, we are planning a semi-detached house with two full stories and an attic. There will be no skylights on the roof, only dormers, which raises a concern about accessing the satellite dish in case of a malfunction, as it would be about 13m (43 feet) up on the roof.
My current calculation is as follows: If I get 3Play from Unitymedia for €35 (approximately $37) that also includes the private HD+ channels, or if I choose a DSL connection with a flat-rate phone service (which usually doesn't come below €30 (about $32)), I would still need to buy a satellite HD+ card for €5 (around $5.30). So, the costs balance out. However, for the satellite system, I would need to install a satellite dish, which will certainly cost more than the €400 (approximately $425) Unitymedia connection.
Additionally, we are planning a semi-detached house with two full stories and an attic. There will be no skylights on the roof, only dormers, which raises a concern about accessing the satellite dish in case of a malfunction, as it would be about 13m (43 feet) up on the roof.
K
Knallkörper18 Jun 2017 13:55It varies for everyone. We do without cable or satellite because watching TV is not really considered culturally valuable here, to put it mildly. However, I have noticed that it would be no problem at all to watch live TV nonetheless. There are plenty of streaming apps on the Android TV, and Amazon is also planning to offer live TV soon. As a second option, there is Telekom Entertain, and as a third option, DVB-T2. The most important thing would probably be to get a fast internet connection, ideally FTTH (fiber to the home), and to equip the house with sufficient network cabling.
BenutzerPC schrieb:
If I get 3Play from Unitymedia for 35€ Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know, you pay a monthly fee of around x € (5-10?) for the "cable connection." This gives you digital TV via cable.
If you subscribe to 3Play with HD+, you get phone, internet, and HD channels included.
If you don’t pay for the "cable connection" and just get 3Play, you might have internet and phone, but I believe you won’t get TV at all, neither digital nor HD.
A satellite connection is a one-time payment! The cable connection fee is monthly. HD probably costs about 5€ extra on both, so you can leave that out of the calculation.
You’d better check this yourself first.
Everyone so far agrees that you should at least prepare for satellite. That was why you asked here, right? It seems like you want to hear something else.
And if preparing that is supposed to cost 500€ or 1000€, then just grab an angle grinder, cut a slot (hammer and chisel) from top to bottom, and install a conduit.
I just did that at my place on Friday. It took about 30 minutes, the conduit cost around 10€, now you just need the cable and the outlet (about 100€?).
That is correct; on top of the 3play package, there are additional cable service fees (I believe around €20.90 per month or even €21.90). Also, with cable TV, you cannot switch providers. Once you have Unitymedia, you always have Unitymedia. Whether that is a problem, only a crystal ball can tell. The fact is, cable networks are unregulated, and the provider can do as they please.
Satellite does not cost a fortune, and even if ongoing fees were to start in 2022, it would still be worthwhile compared to the connection costs and basic fees of other TV distribution methods until then (after all, four years). For data, I would choose Unitymedia if no one installs FTTH. Copper through Telekom is generally reaching the limits of what is feasible, so I would be most likely to avoid that.
Satellite does not cost a fortune, and even if ongoing fees were to start in 2022, it would still be worthwhile compared to the connection costs and basic fees of other TV distribution methods until then (after all, four years). For data, I would choose Unitymedia if no one installs FTTH. Copper through Telekom is generally reaching the limits of what is feasible, so I would be most likely to avoid that.
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