In message <[email protected]>, "Urs Koenig (QL)"
<[email protected]> writes
Hi Urs,
I don't know if what you are paying is any more expensive is
Switzerland.
In the UK we are "tied" to a land line, to get most broad band deals on
offer. Which is a fixed cost, usually for a BT connection - as a
standing charge.
Most broad band in the UK is ADSL over existing copper wires. Along
with some newer fibre optic cabling, and satellite.
Which means that whatever the cost the provider is quoting, it means
that there is this additional cost too (which they prefer not to include
in the advertised quote - for the obvious reason that the true cost is
actually higher than what they are saying).
So, broad band deals tend to be in a range from around £7.99 to £19.99
per month, or slightly more. Always "more", for a full service.
With the lower range tending to be "for the first three months" ..., and
just be broad band only (and at a not guaranteed speed).
Sky and Virgin, are examples of bundled up offers, where you have to
take TV and/or phone; to get the lower broad band cost. Some of the
parts in the bundle than get described as being for "free".
In the UK there are five "free to air" TV channels - BBC1, BBC2, ITV1,
Channel 4, and Channel 5.
However, you have to additionally hold a TV Licence to legally receive
the broadcast. An annual cost.
Cable and Satellite TV is through dedicated receiver "boxes", which are
paid for separately as a "one-off" installation (along with the cabling
or dish receptors, etc). Or, in some cases provided "free" (but,
effectively then are rented out to you).
BT have various complicated pricing offers for phone use, with TV,
including some "free" calls. Virgin has "free" calls to other Virgin
phone users.
BT, Sky and Virgin then have complicated packages combining "free" TV
channels with "paid for" channels.
In the UK there is also "Freeview" TV - which is "free to air" digital
broadcast (A to D) for TV and Radio. You just buy the receiver box - as
a once and for all purchase - and then have access over 100 channels.
I recently paid just over £20 for a Freeview box.
(You still need a TV Licence).
Maybe someone can work out all the pricing structures?
My guess would be that the cost in UK will not be that much different
from that in Switzerland - when like for like is actually compared; as
well as the quality and broad band speed being provided.
Anyway, my "view" (excuse the pun), is that the convergence with digital
technology is going towards a 'universal media player', as one device -
TV (and 3D), Radio, hi-fi, wi-fi, computer, games player, a.n other, etc
What does your phrase "quadruple play provider" mean ? Probably
something already similar?
How did you find out about this in Switzerland - or do you
watch a lot of British TV?
It's quite easy. My quadruple play provider Swisscom offers saved searches.
One daily search is "Clive Sinclair" and so it was in my inbox this morning.
Quadruple play? See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadruple_play
Since Jan 1st I pay CHF 125 per month for 20'000kbit Internet Access, 150
Digital TV channels on my TV and any Internet device, free phonecalls to all
Swisscom customers.
http://www.swisscom.ch/res/kombi-angebote/vivocasa4/index.htm?languageId=en
What are QLers all over the world pay for similar services? Just to get a
feeling of how expensive Switzerland is...
Urs
--
Malcolm Cadman
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