Sky subscription w/o phone line.

Jay6 · 31-01-2010, 19:02

Ok. I currently have freesat from sky. However, I'm wanting to upgrade my package to a subscription. I've taken a peek at sky's website, and I've worked out what packages I'd like. ..in the small print it says that I have to subscribe for a minimum term, i'm fine with that, but the part i'm confused about is the phone line thing. It says that my box needs to be connected to a phone line. I don't see how this is essential as my digibox in its current state has never been connected to a land-line. Nor is it ever likely to be, as I don't even have one. ....given that i already have the equipment, is upgrading to a subscription service as simple as setting up a dd and getting a new viewing card in the post? I did call sky, but the lady i spoke to said i had to connect it to the phone so they could switch the box on. But i don't see how this can be as my box has been on and working for over a year. Was she trying to hoodwink me, in the hope that if its connected to a land-line, I will fritter away my money on red-button-paid-for services? ....i'd be most grateful if someone could clarify for me. ...in short, i already have sky equipment, i want to subscribe, does it need the phone line?

Paul · 31-01-2010, 21:44

For the first 12 months they want it on the line so they know where the box is. It also uses the line or interactive services (games etc) and pay per view. They are aware you have the equipment and just need the viewing card sent out aren't they?

mischievious · 31-01-2010, 22:20

I have a subscription sky package and it isn't connected to the landline.

Occasionally I have to connect it for a short while as it sometimes refuses to let me view any programs until I do. I think it depends upon what you've recorded etc. if you have movies channels etc as it hasn't actually done that since I cancelled movies.

The engineer that installed it said that the line thing has some thing to do with the box office feature as the box needs to be able to dial up to sky to tell them what you've been watching so that they can bill you properly.

Also the sky broadband support told me that having the box permanently connected can also negatively impact your broadband connection.

So in a nutshell no it doesn't "have" to be always connected only periodically and depends upon how you use the service.

Hope this helps.

Paul · 31-01-2010, 22:23

Quote:

Also the sky broadband support told me that having the box permanently connected can also negatively impact your broadband connection.

Absolute trot.. whichever Sky BB support person told you that needs re-training. Incorrectly filtered Sky boxes on the line can impact the ADSL connection but a properly installed box on the line with a properly installed router will cause no issues at all.

mischievious · 31-01-2010, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Absolute trot.. whichever Sky BB support person told you that needs re-training. Incorrectly filtered Sky boxes on the line can impact the ADSL connection but a properly installed box on the line with a properly installed router will cause no issues at all.

I reported that my broadband connection was running very slow and the guy asked if the sky box was on the line and said if it was it needs to be disconnected as it can impact the speed.

Since I have no idea what the thing is trying to do to my phone line and nor do I care I just took his word for it.

**Kymmy** · 31-01-2010, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by mischievious

I reported that my broadband connection was running very slow and the guy asked if the sky box was on the line and said if it was it needs to be disconnected as it can impact the speed.

Since I have no idea what the thing is trying to do to my phone line and nor do I care I just took his word for it.

A typical engineer doing a "let's give the customer any excuse as I don't know what's wrong" action.

The sky box has an internal modem (dial-up) and not an ADSL modem. As the two technologies use different frequencies over the copper telephone cable they do not interfere with each other.

As Paul says the ONLY way it could interfere is if it's not filtered correctly but in that case the sky box dialing out would stop your ADSL connection totally and not "slow" it down. (Exactly the same way as a normal ADSL/voice line works via a seperate filter.

Jay6 · 31-01-2010, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

They are aware you have the equipment and just need the viewing card sent out aren't they?

i tried to explain as such to her, but i don't think she got what i was on about. I told her i already have the equipment, i just want a subscription card. But she was having none of it. Methinks i should call again tomorrow and ask someone else..

iain_herts · 31-01-2010, 23:59

what u want is called a second hand contract (just a viewing card) u will not be tied into any contract as it will be a rolling 1 month term

Jay6 · 01-02-2010, 13:07

Phoned back this morning and got a bit more sense, lol. Spoke to someone else and in less than 15 minutes they had sorted it. Card is in the post. ..i asked him about the phone line thing, and he said that you only need the phone line connected if its new equipment, and even then its not essential. So i've got no idea what that stoopid woman yesterday was on about. Lol. Anyways, done and dusted now. Thanks to everyone who posted.

MadGamer · 01-02-2010, 14:17

Having it connected to a phone line means you can also receive EPG Updates as well

iain_herts · 02-02-2010, 20:25

madgamer the EPG updates are done over the air via 1 off the transporders all the phone line is for is ordering PPV and interative stuff and if u got multi room

Jay6 · 03-02-2010, 15:41

Got my card in the post today. Phoned up to activate it, and was told that if i didn't connect it to a phone line within 6 weeks, i'd be charged a £25 ''manual set-up'' fee. Fine by me, but at no time during my application did anyone mention such a thing. If people are on a tight budget, this kind of surprise would be unacceptable. ..still, i got there in the end, and the £25 is no drama. Ce la vie. ...hopefully people who have similar questions in the future will see this thread and find it useful.

iain_herts · 03-02-2010, 18:18

jay6 your box does NOT need to be connected to the phone line as sky did not supply the box as a sub also u will be on a 1 month rolling contract as it is wat is known as a second hand contract