After a research done over a year ago I thought I would opt for Vectra,
which was the previous owner’s operator, yet on the home straight I have taken
the trouble to compare pricing of plans, content of packages and technical capacities
and I have changed my mind to eventually choose UPC. The crucial factor, with
similar prices of TV + Internet plans (same cost of PLN 80 per month) and similar
content thereof, was technical advantage of UPC, whose CI+ modules (I refused
to have another box and another remote control) are compatible with most new TV
sets. On top, the operator puts on its website a list of certified TV models.
The very installation, though booked and specified in the e-mail sent
UPC sales rep over 2 weeks in advance, has not gone smoothly. I endured three
visits over one day. At first attempt a technician came with a decoder rather
than with a CI+ module. At second attempt another technician turned up without
documents. At third attempt all went fine, except for the way he installed (or
rather hung loose) antenna socket in the wall (not his duty) – this had to be mended
by me a few days later, upon borrowing a driller from my father (what’s the
point of having my own if use it 2 o 3 times a year?).
While I saved on a few months of not paying at all for the TV + Internet
(I used a data package from my company smartphone via Wi-Fi router or fell back
on pre-paid LTE), my monthly rate is now higher (some PLN 20 per month) than it
would be, had I contracted the service in a few months ago. Telecommunication
services are one of those whose prices have risen markedly in 2019.
A broadband Internet is a must, especially if you want to make the most
of video / audio contents (mere Youtube offers several full films or series for
free) available online, but also to pursue home office if necessary. Benefits
of possessing the cable TV are questionable. I over the recent 3 weeks I
watched a few documentaries, films or TVN24 evening programs but nothing more.
Choosing a TV (I purchased 43-inch plain-vanilla, yet UPC-compatible LG for
PLN 1,400) has made me realise what stride has been made technology-wise. The relatively
inexpensive (yet prices 2 times higher than the simplest) TV set combines
functions of a TV, a decoder, a video player / recorder and a computer
(Internet browser built it). One thing I need to explore is Netflix which has a
dedicated button on the remote control. But since I have not had an account on
my computer, odds I get to grips with it before year-end are miniscule.
Film-wise, last Wednesday I went to a cinema to see “Boże Ciało” before
it is withdrawn from the silver screens. I do not feel like reviewing it; the
film deserves watching, but it has left me numb in a chair…
2 comments:
Broadband I couldn't live with, a television set belongs to the museum.
Prices - I've just signed up for the following deal for my father's house in London: electricity and gas, fixed-line telephone rental and 35Mb/s broadband for £53 a month from one operator (SSE). 265 zloty. For the next 18 months (while waiting for probate and next steps). This is a 180m2 house with three big downstairs rooms, three bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.
Over winter, the house will be kept at a constant 10C when empty, but there will be regular visits from my side of the family and my brother's to keep an eye on it.
Broadband, is what I believe you wouldn't live without.
The broadband only package was 20 zloty cheaper per months. In other words the whim to stare at one of 165 available channels requires a surcharge of 20 zlotys. Now let me know when you are about to make an appearance on TV so what the two dychy pay back :)
Post a Comment