All 2 entries tagged Ofcom

OFCOM says Coventry Analogue Cable switch–off is VM commercial call.

Follow-up to Coventry Analogue Cable Switch–off next week – 3 years ahead of Digital UK Plan! from Rob McGonigle on Internet Search & SMEs

Ofcom replied to my email explaining that the early switch-off of our analogue cable service, yesterday, was a Virgin Media commercial decision and told me to find a better aerial / satellite dish fitter.

A Sky salesman has been in the road and found 5 more neighbours that are in the same boat. He was selling a ‘better dish’ that can pick up the signal through the trees. I am not convinced as the signal depends not only on brute signal levels but also error rates caused by the leaves and movement. Some of the neighbours are in better positions so we will see how they get on. The Sky man did observe the prevalence of mini-dishes caused by the poor Freeview reception and declared.

Whitley has become a Sky village.

My experience with Virgin Media’s customer service has not improved even after they cut the house off. The direct debit was not adjusted so VM have charged me for days with zero service. I stripped out their ancient cable boxes last night as they run very hot. Whatever I use in the future will use less power than these heaters.

Robert McGonigle : 02 May 2008 14:58 |  Tags: Coventry Analogue Cable Ofcom Sky Satellite TV Virgin Media Complaints |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Coventry Analogue Cable Switch–off next week – 3 years ahead of Digital UK Plan!

Writing about web page http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when

The escalation of my complaint to Virgin Media’s Chief Executive’s office actually produced a reply.
Patricia Wolstenholme called, apologised because there was nothing VM could do then added the surprise.

Virgin Media did not decide when to turn off their analogue cable service in Coventry. This was due to the head end feed service being switched off by BT as a part of the national plan.

Patricia was vague about who was behind this decision.

I can’t receive Freeview or satellite TV due to local topology and close large trees. My home will have a better chance of receiving the Freeview service when the Central region analogue transmitters close down in 2011. This is because the Terrestrial Digital transmitters can then use higher power levels as these will no longer interfere with analogue transmissions.

This interference problem is clearly why the switch-over to digital TV has been planned in such a carefully choreographed manner.

So why has the feed to Virgin Media’s analogue cable customers in Coventry been cut off three years before this regions planned switch-over date?
This could still be a VM commercial decision but I am following my enquiries to Gregory Bensberg, the Ofcom Director responsible for the Digital Switchover, gregory.bensberg@ofcom.org.uk with no response so far.

I have learned that you can get high level, timely answers to complaints from Virgin Media but you have to approach the Cheif Executive’s Office. The Cheif Executive is Neil Berkett, his email address produced the response, neil.berkett@virginmedia.co.uk and that his office’s number is currently 08456505050. It is a shame that I finally find this out in my last week as a customer.

Robert McGonigle : 25 Apr 2008 10:16 |  Tags: Anologue Cable Digital Switchover Digital TV Digital Uk Ofcom Sigital Switch Over Virgin Media Virgin Media Complaints Vm |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem