Cable Forum - View Single Post - Do you need a tv license if you only use internet?

AndyCalling · 27-07-2010, 19:55

True, but you want to be careful. Using a monitor is fine, but the law covers TV receiving equipment.

Broadband was not considered back then, and it is not considered to be covered now either. Of course a UHF tuner added to your PC would cause an issue (a TV USB stick or the like) but not the broadband connection.

To make your TV legal as a monitor for watching DVDs etc without attracting a licence fee, you should remove or disable the UHF receiver in it (a simple job for any TV repair-man or electronics shop repair guy). You need to do this for any device you have that has a UHF tuner in it (video recorders, TV DVD recorders etc.) but normal DVD players and VHS players are fine. The guidance on that link above is not well worded (I suspect it got over-simplified by committee), but it is close.

The best guide to use is this; if you would get asked for your address when you buy it (unless you have a Tesco clubcard or the like), it needs a licence. When you bought your PC you didn't need to give your address for the licence records. If you buy a USB TV stick you will.

Just seen that 'Live Online' quote (I was typing at the same time as you). That's new! Still, it's unenforceable so I wouldn't worry about that. My address guideline still stands.

27-07-2010, 19:55	#4
AndyCalling Inactive Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southampton (Switch PT2) Services: Fixed phone service (inclusive weekend calls) & internet service (200/12meg) Posts: 493	Re: Do you need a tv license if you only use internet? True, but you want to be careful. Using a monitor is fine, but the law covers TV receiving equipment. Broadband was not considered back then, and it is not considered to be covered now either. Of course a UHF tuner added to your PC would cause an issue (a TV USB stick or the like) but not the broadband connection. To make your TV legal as a monitor for watching DVDs etc without attracting a licence fee, you should remove or disable the UHF receiver in it (a simple job for any TV repair-man or electronics shop repair guy). You need to do this for any device you have that has a UHF tuner in it (video recorders, TV DVD recorders etc.) but normal DVD players and VHS players are fine. The guidance on that link above is not well worded (I suspect it got over-simplified by committee), but it is close. The best guide to use is this; if you would get asked for your address when you buy it (unless you have a Tesco clubcard or the like), it needs a licence. When you bought your PC you didn't need to give your address for the licence records. If you buy a USB TV stick you will. Just seen that 'Live Online' quote (I was typing at the same time as you). That's new! Still, it's unenforceable so I wouldn't worry about that. My address guideline still stands.