10mb Set Top Box

[UKFSR]

Having just looked at upgrading to the 10mb service I have seen that I have to change my current set top box (Samsung) to a newer modem. Can anytone give me any information on this new set top box and why there is a charge of £50 to do so.

In another thread I have discussed moving over to a seperate modem as they can upgrade for free online. It seems that because I choose to get all 3 services (Tel, Tv and BB) I am being penalised for doing so via a set top box.

[Paul K]

You will probably not be able to move to a SACM unless you can prove that your service is impaired by using the STB. The charge is probably for the change of hardware which is not faulty. (The fact that it won't work with 10Mb is totally ignored by NTL in these situations) If the STB were faulty then it would be a free replacement.

Originally Posted by UKFSR

Having just looked at upgrading to the 10mb service I have seen that I have to change my current set top box (Samsung) to a newer modem. Can anytone give me any information on this new set top box and why there is a charge of £50 to do so.

In another thread I have discussed moving over to a seperate modem as they can upgrade for free online. It seems that because I choose to get all 3 services (Tel, Tv and BB) I am being penalised for doing so via a set top box.

The general policy is that so many modems can't run at a full 10Mb, they don't want the cost of giving everyone a new one for free. STBs can't do 10Mb, so anyone who wants it has to get a separate, Stand Alone Cable Modem (SACM). You won't lose your STB though, you will continue to use this for TV only.

TBH I'd be equally peeved if I were in this situation. New customers will get a new modem and 10Mb; loyal customers who signed up years ago (and who therefore have inadequate equipment) get short changed.

What I'd do is phone them and explain you will cancel all your services and move to Sky/ADSL if they don't dish you out a new SACM. There are plenty of free install/free equipment deals out there at the moment. I expect the retentions department will be slightly more accommodating than the people you've been dealing with so far.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Chris T

What I'd do is phone them and explain you will cancel all your services and move to Sky/ADSL if they don't dish you out a new SACM. There are plenty of free install/free equipment deals out there at the moment. I expect the retentions department will be slightly more accommodating than the people you've been dealing with so far.

Yep I agree, having 3 services puts you in a good position to go to retentions and force the issue there. NTL probably won't enjoy losing too many customers who currently have all 3 services with them.

[Chrysalis]

the 120s are shaky as well I think, they will run 10meg but dont seem to be as stable after the firmware update.

[UKFSR]

Thanks for those replies, some good info there for me to use

Chrysalis, I presume 120s are the type of SACM that are around.

I must admit I have had very litle problems with the STB over the past few years, so feel unsure about changing.

[Ramrod]

I'm on the '10mb' samsung stb as well. I don't really care if I don't get the full 10mb speed as the 5-7mb I am getting is just fine (I've forgotten how many free upgrades I've had in the last year or so). At least I'm not on bulldog 8mb and only getting 1-2mb

[UKFSR]

Rang NTL and asked if I could have a SACM instead of the set top box. Got put on hold for 2 mins and she came back and said no problem, and engineer will call out on Tuesday. Lets hope I have done the right thing.

[craig5320]

I've always had my BB through the set-top box, since i got it 4 years ago.

I wanted a CM but was told they weren't available in my area, When the upgrade to 1.5mb came, I had to wait months after all the CM folk before I got my new box, then we had to wait again for the move to 3mb, and now all this mess, so I've paid the money and I've got me a CM. Just so that in the future I won't be last in the queue because I was first in the queue at the beginning.

Hopefully if they sort the network out and in the coming year we see speeds upto 25mb to match ADSL2 I won't be left waiting...

If you can afford it, ditch the STB it's simply not good enough anymore.

[Jim galbally]

i had a similar experience with NThell and the bull they kept giving me.

i ended up buying a SACM off ebay for 40quid

but even then i had a nightmare, as they still wanted to charge me for a SACM!!! after about 6 phonecalls with what can only be described as "completely useless jobsworth ****s" i finally got hold of someone who wasn't a complete idiot and he quickly activated my shiny new SACM and 10mb BB service. it was a real ball ache to get sorted tho...

[UKFSR]

Cable modem is coming on Tuesday. Do I have to install all that software that comes with it. I have a Lan connection which I hope still to use?

[9083]

Originally Posted by Jim galbally

i had a similar experience with NThell and the bull they kept giving me.

i ended up buying a SACM off ebay for 40quid

but even then i had a nightmare, as they still wanted to charge me for a SACM!!! after about 6 phonecalls with what can only be described as "completely useless jobsworth ****s" i finally got hold of someone who wasn't a complete idiot and he quickly activated my shiny new SACM and 10mb BB service. it was a real ball ache to get sorted tho...

The CSR was not a jobsworth as it is illegal to buy a SACM off EBAY and to connect it to the network. All SACM's are owned by NTL.

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:56 ----------

Originally Posted by UKFSR

Cable modem is coming on Tuesday. Do I have to install all that software that comes with it. I have a Lan connection which I hope still to use?

Do not run the disc, just connect via ethernet as you do now and type in 'autoreg.autoregister.net' and follow the instructions. oh and make sure you get the PIN number off the install tech before he leaves.

[Jim galbally]

it is illegal to buy a SACM off EBAY and to connect it to the network. All SACM's are owned by NTL.

no its not, and no they're not

and thats not the reason i think the blokes were jobsworths, it was the LIES they were giving me about technical limitations/problems which i KNOW were made up.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Jim galbally

no its not, and no they're not

and thats not the reason i think the blokes were jobsworths, it was the LIES they were giving me about technical limitations/problems which i KNOW were made up.

Don't want to go too far off topic, but AFAIK, NTL DO now retain ownership of Cable Modems and STB. I know they USED to allow you to use your own cable modem, but they aren't doing this any more.

Of course, if you bought your cable modem in the past, you are free to do what you will with it. Somebody who buys a cable modem now will NOT be able to get it to work through NTL.

So, yes, the chances are that if you see a cable modem or STB for sale on eBay, it does belong to NTL or Telewest. The person who is selling it is therefore selling stolen property, and if you buy it, you are buying stolen property. Both of which are illegal.

[BarFly]

Originally Posted by Jim galbally

no its not, and no they're not

and thats not the reason i think the blokes were jobsworths, it was the LIES they were giving me about technical limitations/problems which i KNOW were made up.

ummm your wrong, if as your avatar suggests you have a NTL:250, then you cant & never have been able to buy them...

The only Cm's available to buy were the Surfboards, terayons & tailfins, & that was along time ago, the 250's have been out about 12-18mnths & in that time all Cm's given to customers would have been loaned as part of the usual rental package....