menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Archive (2002-)

 

 

Click to see updates

CAI and RDI-LB to merge?

Robert posts that "the two main bodies dealing with TV aerials will be tying up as the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries) is thought to be taking over the RDI-LB (Registered Digital Installers-Licensing Body)"

Robert posts that  the two main bodies dealing with TV aerials
published on UK Free TV

Robert posts:

Following meetings between Tim Jenks and Robert Oliver of the CAI with Martin Smith of the RDI, the CAI may take over the running of the RDI admin after Martin leaves later this year.

Sheila Cassells the RDI-LB chair has given the green light to discussions with the CAI to take over the administrative control of the RDI as an initial step.

Bearing in mind the recent problems the CAI has had with its own administration and the protracted problems regarding its executive, this could come as a shock to those RDIs who chose to opt for the RDI-LB as a Government backed alternative to the CAI as they may find that they are being thrown back in with the "old Guard"

Discussions are rumoured to be quite advanced following an initial meeting last year, both organisations seemingly being concerned that after DSO (Digital Switch Over ) neither will be exactly overwhelmed with members and maybe a tie up between them both will ensure the continuation of both schemes. Albeit run and possibly controlled by the same people

Originally the CAI had expected to be the chosen ones for DSO but that was smashed with the creation of the RDI-LB and the early days saw some acrimony between the two competing organisations, the onset of DSO saw both benefit from a large influx of paying members especially the RDI-LB who went from nothing in 2006 to a potent organisation able to offer a 'recognised qualification' with the benefit of Government ( BERR ) backing, hundreds of installers signed up to the scheme, the CAI for its part introduced various modifications and enhancements including the CAI plus scheme to counter the attraction of the RDI-LB, although many felt the CAI was playing a game of catch up and always lagged behind the field, the CAI managed to increase its members and thanks in no small part to training fees and various benchmark fees greatly increased its income.

With the end of DSO in sight it is not surprising that both organisations are looking at the future with both a bleaker and more practical outlook, with no real prospect of any public funds, the only way to survive is to pool resources, although possibly not fees.

Both management teams will be carefully looking over the figures and working out a way to keep the schemes running and the revenue coming in from the less prosperous membership following DSO.

The CAI already run the admin of the SCTE so adding another tier shouldn't in theory pose any logistical problems, but how well that will go down with those RDIs who opted out of the CAI or were never prepared to join is another matter, the recent past of the CAIs management has hardly been plain sailing and there are many members who having been glad to be out of the clutches of the CAI, the news that they may be put straight back in without so much as a by your leave may not please and could even infuriate some.

It seems that both the CAI and the RDI are set on a path of unity at least as far as the administration goes, it may even be a done deal and that they are just waiting the right day for the announcement.

How that will be viewed by the Members, the authorities or the public is another matter, although they may have little choice.

Update: 31 January 2011 letter from RDI-LB

RE: RUMOURS FLOATING AROUND VARIOUS INTERNET FORUMS

Recently it came as a surprise to hear that 'advanced discussions' about the future operations and direction, of both the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) and the RDI have been sanctioned by the RDI Chair, Sheila Cassells, and that the RDI-LB's Managing Director, Martin Smith, is leaving the organisation.

To set the record straight, the RDI-LB is committed to maintaining a register of licensed installers/engineers beyond 2012 and is expanding both skills and training platforms to support this. Further Martin Smith is heavily involved in leading a development programme, which will take the RDI-LB and its qualified membership far beyond the end of digital switchover. This has the full backing of the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and is the only development project sanctioned by the RDI-LB Board and its Chair.

As you would expect, the RDI-LB consults regularly with many industry bodies, including the CAI, to ensure that the interests of its members and the general public are maintained. The RDI has a strong standing as a Community Interest, not for profit organisation and has no plans to join forces with or become part of any separate organisation.



All questions
BBC Three Linear channel re-opens1
Removing all barriers to communication between diverse cultures2
How do I get a test card with Freeview3
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau4
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?5
In this section
Seeing something different? We are doing A/B testing on a new Material Design1
Please share your thoughts about UK FREE TV2
The next 50 things on UK FREE TV. What would you like to see? 3
UK Free TV now uses friendly web addresses4
Best ever emails and improved menus on UK FREE TV5
Use the Knowledge base to find answers to your technical problems6

Comments
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
A
alan
11:32 AM

The CAI owns a property outright, worth around £500,000 perhaps, so in theory all its members own a share of it.
Will get messy if RDI want to own a piece of it as well !

link to this comment
alan's 10 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

11:36 AM

alan: I suspect the words "in theory" are the important ones there.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
C
Cabled Communications Ltd
3:46 PM

Having paid my money done my courses to become an RDI, I would definatley be looking for a full refund of all I have spent in the process. I feel if this were to happen, then I and many other have been totally mislead. I urge other members to make their felling clear to the RDI-LB. If this goes ahead then as before the only reckognition we will get is to join the CAI at their over inflated membership fees and have to suffer the total chaos of there prehistoric administration. I would suggest that should this proceed that all RDI's get together to form a group and take legal action to get our costs back. Maybe this will help pay for the CAI membership.

link to this comment
Cabled Communications Ltd's 7 posts GB flag
C
Cabled Communications Ltd
4:07 PM

I have just emailed the RDI-LB asking for clarification on this matter, will post any response I get, as I am sure many others are concerned over this.

link to this comment
Cabled Communications Ltd's 7 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:19 PM

Cabled Communications Ltd: I would be very interested to hear what you hear back.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
C
Cabled Communications Ltd
6:36 PM

Briantist
like I say will post here as soon as I hear anything or not.

link to this comment
Cabled Communications Ltd's 7 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:04 PM

Cabled Communications Ltd: Thanks.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
J
john mills
8:20 PM

was the rdi being closed after the switch over any hell

link to this comment
john mills's 3 posts GB flag
Friday, 28 January 2011
C
Cabled Communications Ltd
11:01 AM

After sending my mail to the RDI, which I worded strongly, I received a very pleasant phone call from Martin Smith. In the conversation he assured me this subject was no more than a rumour, in fact he went on to say the opposite is actually true, they are planning an expansion of the body to include the likes of broad band services etc. My mail has also prompted a respons from Sheila Cassells which can be seen at this URL. http://www.rdi-lb.tv/pdf/news%20update%2027111.pdf . I have to say I was very impressed with the response I recieved and only adds to my believe in this organisation as opposed to the CAI, who would probably have just binned my mail. I hope this has been usefull. Regards Dave.

link to this comment
Cabled Communications Ltd's 7 posts GB flag
Monday, 31 January 2011
P
paul jewell
12:47 AM

the rdi did not get the take up they expectd, so now the jobs for the boys, are not looking to good, any way who needs them what use are they most of them could not fit a light bolb let alone an aerial system so looks like they may have to find another scam shame!!!!

link to this comment
paul jewell's 2 posts GB flag
Select more comments
Page 1

Your comment please
Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.