Freesat installations
When you buy a Freesat box you will be offered an appropriate installation by the retailer. You can, if you already have a satellite dish that is unused or if you are replacing a Sky box with a Freesat one, just take the box home and do it yourself. See Upgrading from Sky to Freesat - ukfree.tv.
If you choose to have have a new dish installed, this will be done in one of two ways.
The major high-street retailers Argos, Comet, and John Lewis will arrange for TSG - Total Support Group; Currys.digital will employ Euroaerials to come and fit it at an arranged time. All these retailers will allow you to select the type from a basic disk, single LNB and one cable to a eight-output one to eight locations. Whatever you needs are.
If you buy the box from an independent retailer there is a slightly different arrangement. Some of the independents will also use Euroaerials and TSG.
However, other independent retailers that have their own installation services as part of their company can select to perform this function themselves. There retailers have to sign a contract to ensure that they match the service levels required by Freesat.
This requires that each and every installer must:
- have an appropriate registration with the Registered Digital Installers scheme (RDI); you can check at Registered Digital Installer Licensing Body - Find an Installer.
- be registered as a member of the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Installers). You can check that here: TV Aerial Installer Search - The Confederation of Aerial Industries Limited.
- have a clean check from the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau).
In addition, when the installer visits your home, they must:
- agree with the customer first where the dish and receivers are to be positioned;
- explain to the customer the work they are going to do and the effect it will have;
- install the dish, cables and connectors to the correct standards;
- align the dish to the satellites.
- connect the Freesat box to the television using the correct cables;
- explain the operation of the box and remote control to the customer.
If the retailer does not keep to these strict rules their contract to supply boxes will be terminated and they could face court action. Freesat say they have a 'zero tolerance' policy towards inappropriate customer service.
Basically, all Freesat boxes and installation will be sold though retail outlets, so there is always someone you can go and see if you have a problem. This does not mean these shops cannot also sell online, but they must have an address you can go to.
So, let's test out this advert that keeps being posted here on ukfree.tv:
Interestingly the Digital Television Services says "13 years experience" but RDI site says (Associate RDI), which is for someone under training, see Registered Digital Installer Licensing Body - Becoming an RDI/ARDI
(And you can multiple rooms, but A multitude is a large number of people)
Now, we can check the address:
View Larger Map
And verify the CAI qualification: results in a 'not found'.
Freesat say that only installations though their high-street retailers will have passed their security, safety and customer service quality tests.
Conclusion
So, you can conculde that this person may or may not be fit to enter your house, it would appear that neither he or his business are 'Freesat approved'.
Additional information by supplier
Supplier | Notes |
---|---|
John Lewis | What about installation?
We offer a range of installation options, starting at 80 for a standard installation. This includes:
|
Comet | 1 room 79.95, 2 rooms 119.95, 3 rooms 159.95, 4 rooms 189.95, |
Argos |
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9:59 AM
EuroAerials were supposed to telephone me last night (Thursday 7th July) to confirm that they will be attending today, Friday 8th July, to fit my home with some sort of equipment supplied under the Switchover Help Scheme. The Installer was also supposed to telephone me today (Friday) to tell me what time he would be attending my home. No calls have been received, either last night nor this morning. On their temporary website is a telephone number that is unobtainable. Having paid them a fee, I am now beginning to become suspicious. Has anyone else had any dealings with EuroAerials. Would appreciate any feedback.
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10:10 AM
Since my last post, I have tried to send an email to EuroAerials at the adddress given on their temporary website, but received a mailer-daemon reply that the address does not exist
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F G Thompson: I would contact the Switchover Help Scheme on 0800 40 85 900.
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12:25 PM
Not sure if this is the right place but please move it if not!
I have for some time had trouble free free sat with an old Sky box.
Just acquired a 2/h Sky+ HD box. Plugged it in and screen says
"Updating system software. Do not disconnect from mains or satellite dish. This may take up to 10 minutes"
I know it's not been in use for some time so update not surprising I presume?
But it's been going at it for an hour.
I have not watched it continuously, but at ~30 mins the screen cleared, a Sky logo appeared, then it went back to update.
What should I do?
Tempted to powercycle - but it says not to!
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Steve P: It does not usually take long, if nothing appears to happen then you probably do not have a good quality satellite signal.
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3:15 PM
Thanks Brian. Sat signal can't be that bad as I get perfect reception on all channels with the old box.
I'm using a CRT TV - but that can't be an issue surely?
Does the card in use have any effect? I'm using one provided by the seller.
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3:22 PM
Incidentally the dish, LNB and cabling was installed by Sky a couple of years ago.
I tried removing the card entirely and restarting. Seems to be doing the same but I will give it time.
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Steve P: No card is required to get the firmware update.
There could be an issue with the tuner in your "new" box.
You only see the "firmware upgrade" message if backup (on the box, not the remote) is held down when the power is plugged in. Perhaps the button is stuck in?
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