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All about Freesat
A BBC-ITV Freesat joint venture has been launched to compete with Sky Freesat, writes Andrew Stucken
Unable to receive Freeview? Unable or unwilling to pay satellite TV subscriptions? Freesat could be the answer.
What is Freesat? It's a free digital satellite service already provided by BSkyB. A BBC-ITV joint venture with the same name has now been launched to assist areas with poor digital reception. The whole country is due to switch over to digital television by 2012.
What do I get exactly? Sky is advertising 200 Freesat TV channels, as against 43 on Freeview. On digital radio, 95 channels are available, via your TV. Moreover, both TV and radio are broadcast in crystal-clear digital format. For a full list of Freesat channels see http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=3
But will I be able to pick it up? Almost certainly. UK coverage for Freesat is 98% as against 73% for Freeview.
Sounds good. How do I get it? The standard BBC-ITV version is retailing for as little as £49. Expect to pay about £130 for HD-ready dishes. Sky’s dish costs £150, from Sky or major electrical retailers. You get a minidish, a digital satellite receiver), viewing card and installation. Plenty of local traders also offer the service.
Do I have to pay as much as £150? It is possible to get up and running for about £80 – the Sky hardware at least is available on eBay. Beware the pitfalls of second hand however – I personally went down that route and the box lasted only six months. Brand new gear comes with a 12-month warranty.
But I can’t afford to pay satellite television subscriptions. You don't. Once you have made the initial outlay, that's it. No fees. It is like Freeview, only better – far more channels.
I already have Freesat - can I upgrade later to the subscription service? Yes. Just register by phone to have a signal sent to your viewing card.
Can I use my existing TV? Absolutely. The satellite equipment is the only new hardware you will require. Better still, high-definition (HD) pictures are available – to receive them you will need both an HD-ready TV and HD-ready digital satellite receiver **. Note also that plans were announced in January 2008 to put HD channels on Freeview as well.
If I move can I take the Freesat equipment with me? Yes – the equipment is yours to keep.
I live in a block of flats with a communal dish. In that case you will probably just need the Skybox and cables. You only need the viewing card to get the following channels: Channel 4, Channel Five, Five US, Five Life and Sky Three. But check with the landlord about dish availability.
I already pay for a Sky package - can I downgrade to Freesat? Yes. Provided your 12-month subscription is up you can cancel your contract but still get Freesat.
** Not to be confused with a standard digibox/set top box, which is only suitable for obtaining Freeview. The digital satellite receiver (Skybox is Sky's custom version) is confusingly sometimes referred to as a digibox and the BBC Freesat website uses that terminology.
* Technology writer and journalist Andrew Stucken runs his own translation agency at www.appliedtranslations.co.uk. Andrew's opinions are his own and for general information only. Always seek independent advice.
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Reader comments
Very informative article - I am in a block of flats and have been waiting for a cheaper solution to the problem of not being able to receive Freeview - thanks for pointing it out!
Posted by: Wendy Sharp | 25/05/2008 21:59:41
Hi there. Very informative article, but I just thought a clear a couple of small anomalys up in this article. freesatfromsky doesnt give you access to these channels forever. Sky's viewing cards are changed every 4 years or so. Sky do not issue a new card to freesatfromsky viewers unless they pay a (currently £20) fee. freesat, the BBC/ITV version requires no viewing card, and does guarantee you access to the available channels for as long as they exist. No renewal fee. Also if you already have a dish installed from a previous Sky installation (subscription or not) you can simply buy a freesat (the BBC/ITV version) receiver and plug it straight in, with no need for installation. It's very easy to do, and requires no instruction. I hope this helps anybody who may have been a little confused, the names of each respective service didn't so much aid the situation!
Posted by: Andrew Gasking | 07/05/2008 11:12:37
