BBC ITV Free sat

[jane grant]

I've just read on another forum that the new BBC ITV free sat set up (when it comes into being) will only work if it is connected to a UK land line, or you will have to buy an expensive box. Does this mean that we will have to buy a new box when the change occurs, or will our existing box be able to recieve the signal?

[Beachcomber]

There is a huge thread about this on a technical forum which can be found here

I haven't read all of it but I have seen no mention of having to be connected to a telephone line to be able to receive these channels.

[Beachcomber]

Thinking about this logically, the idea is that BBC and ITV will be available free to air on ANY digital satellite receiver which generally do not even have a modem fitted so connecting it to the telephone line would be impossible.

If someone is suggesting this on another forum I would guess that they are either scaremongering or looking for a way to make some money.

Even if these services are transmitted in such a way that they cannot be received on a Sky digibox, free to air satellite receivers are far cheaper and of much better quality.

[Beachcomber]

The Free to View service is something entirely different and is already available.

The BBC/ITV venture, if it comes to fruition, will have nothing whatsoever to do with Sky and it appears that the viewer will only need a satellite receiver (not necessarily a Sky digibox) and a dish.

[Alan-LaCala]

Having purchased a Freesat card from Sky about 6 weeks ago, I plugged it into my receiver here in La Cala about a week ago, and it works fine. It is not connected to a telephone. That bit only applies if you get a discounted receiver from Sky as I understand it.

Alan

[Beachcomber]

Yes, Alan, that's right but the BBC/ITV Freesat service that Jane is referring to is something different and hasn't yet started.

The idea is that you will not need a card or a Sky digibox just any make of free to air satellite receiver.