UPC/Virgin equipment

lowbatt07

Hi all

I hope this is the right forum - just purchased a house and I noticed the below equipment on the side ? (See pic) - I’m wondering if this is upc / virgin equipment ? I’m currently not a subscriber but if it is I’ll be asking them to remove it unless they give me a reason to keep it

lowbatt07

lowbatt07 wrote: »

Hi all

I hope this is the right forum - just purchased a house and I noticed the below equipment on the side ? (See pic) - I’m wondering if this is upc / virgin equipment ? I’m currently not a subscriber but if it is I’ll be asking them to remove it unless they give me a reason to keep it

Sorry , with picture

icdg

Moved to cable

Vic_08

Yes, looks like cable TV/broadband junction box.


You can't have it removed, that would effectively cut the connection to everyone else on the same circuit downstream of your house.

lowbatt07

Vic_08 wrote: »

Yes, looks like cable TV/broadband junction box.


You can't have it removed, that would effectively cut the connection to everyone else on the same circuit downstream of your house.

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it

Of course I can have it removed - they have their equipment on my property , either they incentivise me to keep it or I remove it, not up to me to ensure everyone else in the estate receives it

Anyone have experience in dealing with Virgin with respect to to this - know who to reach out too?

Hogzy

lowbatt07 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it

Of course I can have it removed - they have their equipment on my property , either they incentivise me to keep it or I remove it, not up to me to ensure everyone else in the estate receives it

Anyone have experience in dealing with Virgin with respect to to this - know who to reach out too?

Did you buy the property with it installed? If so, then you cant get it removed unless you pay Virgin to relocate it. Happened to us with an ESB junction box in our driveway. We wanted to expand the driveway entrance to allow two cars access without moving the other one but ESB wanted thousands just to move a small box the size of a large cereal box. When it was being installed the initial property owner or the developer would have granted a right of way which attaches to the property.

lowbatt07

Hogzy wrote: »

Did you buy the property with it installed? If so, then you cant get it removed unless you pay Virgin to relocate it. Happened to us with an ESB junction box in our driveway. We wanted to expand the driveway entrance to allow two cars access without moving the other one but ESB wanted thousands just to move a small box the size of a large cereal box.

Thanks for the reply - yes, bought the house with the equipment there

Tbh either I charge them a fee for having it on my property or they remove it - I have no obligation to “house” their equipment

Hogzy

lowbatt07 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply - yes, bought the house with the equipment there

Tbh either I charge them a fee for having it on my property or they remove it - I have no obligation to “house” their equipment

You bought the house that way so unfortunately youre stuck with it. If that was the case people could dig up electricity cables, sewers and all sorts of pipes and hold the councils to ransom to get them moved. Services and utilities infrastructure cannot work that way.

You wont get anywhere but youre obviously entitled to try!

lowbatt07

Hogzy wrote: »

You bought the house that way so unfortunately youre stuck with it. If that was the case people could dig up electricity cables, sewers and all sorts of pipes and hold the councils to ransom to get them moved. Services and utilities infrastructure cannot work that way.

You wont get anywhere but youre obviously entitled to try!

It’s not the council though - this is Virgin/UPC not water or sewage services

colm_mcm

There would have been a wayleave agreement with the previous owners. This should have been included with the documents for the house.

Usually Virgin will be very accommodating to anyone who has the equipment in place in terms of giving free broadband/TV etc.

lowbatt07

colm_mcm wrote: »

There would have been a wayleave agreement with the previous owners. This should have been included with the documents for the house.

Usually Virgin will be very accommodating to anyone who has the equipment in place in terms of giving free broadband/TV etc.

Thanks for the reply - definitely no agreement with deeds etc

I’ll let them leave it there for a free fully loaded service

colm_mcm

The process is usually to contact the call centre who get an area manager to visit you and discuss.

lowbatt07

colm_mcm wrote: »

The process is usually to contact the call centre who get an area manager to visit you and discuss.

Cheers !

Rosser

lowbatt07 wrote: »

Cheers !

It’s classified under the provision of general services and you’re obliged to allow them pass the service through. If you insist you can have it moved at your own cost although they’re normally obliging and like to reach a compromise for goodwill.

Looking for a ‘fully loaded’ service for free is not reciprocal goodwill so go down that route and they might just agree to move it, pass you the bill and you can pis* off your new neighbours at the same time.

Vic_08

Rosser wrote: »

It’s classified under the provision of general services and you’re obliged to allow them pass the service through. If you insist you can have it moved at your own cost although they’re normally obliging and like to reach a compromise for goodwill.

Looking for a ‘fully loaded’ service for free is not reciprocal goodwill so go down that route and they might just agree to move it, pass you the bill and you can pis* off your new neighbours at the same time.

That.

I know if someone moves into my estate and tried to hold everyone else's TV and broadband to ransom they'd quickly regret it.

As well as not being likely to get you anything it is an utterly selfish attitude to have.

Instead of looking at the box on the wall and seeing something to leverage something you are not entitled to you be grateful that it means you have easy access to internet speeds many people in this country will never be able to get.

lowbatt07

Vic_08 wrote: »

That.

I know if someone moves into my estate and tried to hold everyone else's TV and broadband to ransom they'd quickly regret it.

As well as not being likely to get you anything it is an utterly selfish attitude to have.

Instead of looking at the box on the wall and seeing something to leverage something you are not entitled to you be grateful that it means you have easy access to internet speeds many people in this country will never be able to get.

Your aggression is mind blowing

I’m not “obliged” to facilitate nor is moving the cost of their equipment my responsibility

beauf

I think I would ask to see what was agreed with upc/VM. Also if VM honoured it with the previous or current owner.

Do they still send bills. Do they try to claim that their annual increases are not included in the original agreement, or changes in services like faster speeds or more channels.

colm_mcm

We don’t know what’s on the OPs property. It sounds like it’s more than the usual co-ax cables, often there’s amps, distribution boards, nodes etc which require visits from engineers, sometimes up ladders etc. it’s only right the householder gets compensated for this.

lowbatt07

Thanks for the replies ,-appreciate it

beauf

Usually they do this because it cheaper than going underground.

JDxtra

lowbatt07 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply - yes, bought the house with the equipment there

Tbh either I charge them a fee for having it on my property or they remove it - I have no obligation to “house” their equipment

Such a bad attitude. What's the exact problem with it on your property? It's common to see infrastructure like this on the sides of houses, especially in older Dublin suburbs. A satellite dish at the front/side of house looks worse to be honest. Have you even considered that you yourself may even want to subscribe to Virgin broadband in the future? It's generally better than what most providers offer currently.

By all means approach Virgin, but be nice about. They may offer you a free basic TV subscription to keep it there.

beauf

I assume most people are unhappy there is something on their property they don't have full control off.

VM should have a standard contract for this kinda stuff and not be haggling about deals like some shady backstreet trader. So that people know exactly what happens with these installations.

Nigzcurran

What would happen if the op wanted to put external insulation or something similar where the equipment is?

lowbatt07

beauf wrote: »

I assume most people are unhappy there is something on their property they don't have full control off.

VM should have a standard contract for this kinda stuff and not be haggling about deals like some shady backstreet trader. So that people know exactly what happens with these installations.

Yes, you see my point. To be honest the purpose of the thread was to establish if this is virgin equipment and what other ppl in a similar situation have done

These latter points stating I ignore it or it’s providing a service as irrelevant - my property , I decide what goes on it. Upc should have put underground , not stuck on my house as it’s cheaper - why should I facilitate them? Comparable to putting a mast on a tower - they pay rent. Not exploit private property to boost their bottom linw

scamalert

your property you decide, its not essential service, they want to keep it up. either incentive or pack up and move it next house down the lane.


Don't get this pi$$y attitude about what can and cant be on someone's private property.

JDxtra

scamalert wrote: »

your property you decide, its not essential service, they want to keep it up. either incentive or pack up and move it next house down the lane.


Don't get this pi$$y attitude about what can and cant be on someone's private property.

The OP bought the property with the equipment in situ. It's probably there decades.

I think the attitude is coming from the OP demanding it be removed, or if they pay it can stay in place. The equipment is non intrusive and provides services to neighbouring properties.

GerardKeating

lowbatt07 wrote: »

I’m not “obliged” to facilitate nor is moving the cost of their equipment my responsibility

You might be, if a previous owner of the property signed a wayleave giving UPC/Virgin permission to install the equipment on the properly, typically these agreements claim to be binding on later owners of the Properties.

Also, they tend to get lost, you might ask Virgin for a copy of the agreement.

beauf

GerardKeating wrote: »

...
Also, they tend to get lost, you might ask Virgin for a copy of the agreement.

They could make anything up then. How would you know. The original owner might not have keep a copy though. Should ask both parties for a copy.

beauf

JDxtra wrote: »

The OP bought the property with the equipment in situ. It's probably there decades.

I think the attitude is coming from the OP demanding it be removed, or if they pay it can stay in place. The equipment is non intrusive and provides services to neighbouring properties.

It's only done to save money burying it. If you think the Homeowner should host it for free, it would be interesting to see how much free stuff VM are willing to to provide to anyone. Zilch. And that's a company making millions.

GerardKeating

beauf wrote: »

They could make anything up then. How would you know. The original owner might not have keep a copy though. Should ask both parties for a copy.

If Virgin don't have a copy, then OP could legitimally claim there is no wayleave, and demand the equipment be removed.

pippip

This has cropped up a number of times over the years on boards.

A few posters have pointed out that once you sign up to Virgin as a customer the terms and conditions include a wayleave going onto your property. This wayleave is permanent and doesn't get cancelled when you leave virgin.#

From their terms and conditions.

Access and Installation
5.1 Our obligation to provide the
Services and Equipment depends on
our obtaining the necessary
licences, wayleaves, consents, or
other permissions to enable us to
provide you with the Services. We
shall have no liability whatsoever to
provide you with the Services and
Equipment if they cannot be
obtained. Any suggested date of
connection is not binding upon us
and we give no undertaking
whatsoever that we will connect the
Equipment or Services on, or by, a
certain date, and we will not be
liable to you for any delay in
160130_VM_T&Cs_Landscape_Single_Pages.indd 11 17/08/2015 17:17
12 General Terms and Conditions
connecting the Equipment or
Services.
5.2 In order to perform our obligations
under this Agreement and in
consideration of the Services
provided to you, you hereby grant us
such licence in respect of your land,
buildings and premises (‘your land’)
as is necessary for us (including our
employees and authorised
representatives) to provide the
Services to you and our other
customers, including but not limited
to, from time to time, upon giving
you reasonable notice (save in any
emergency) to enter those parts of
your land to install, maintain, adjust,
repair, replace, renew, upgrade,
inspect or remove, and to keep
installed and to operate at or on
your land, Equipment and/or
telecommunications apparatus. You
will at your own expense provide or
procure whatever further rights over
your land we require from any
landlord and/or successor in title
and/or any other person with an
interest in your land whose consent
is legally required to enable us to
exercise the rights over land granted
pursuant to this paragraph and you
will enter into any necessary
additional documentation to give
effect to the grant of such rights.
Each party shall at all times comply
with all reasonable instructions of
the other party or any third party in
relation to the exercise of any rights
over your land obtained in
accordance with this paragraph.
5.3 Your failure to comply with
paragraph 5.2 may result in
withdrawal of the Services and
termination of this Agreement, and if
this happens we will be entitled to
continue to enter upon your land to
enable us to provide the Services to
neighbouring customers and/or
remove all or part of our Equipment.
5.4 You will indemnify us for all
installation costs and expenses that
we incur connecting you up to the
160130_VM_T&Cs_Landscape_Single_Pages.indd 12 17/08/2015 17:17
General Terms and Conditions 13
Network and for all costs and
expenses incurred by us for removal
of any Equipment and/or
telecommunications apparatus from
your land and against liability for all
third party claims, in the event that
you or any person or a successor in
title with an interest in your land
insists that we remove any or all
Equipment and/or
telecommunications apparatus from
your land.
5.5 We will make every effort to site the
Equipment in a location of your
choice and will endeavour to comply
with any reasonable requests you
may have regarding the routing of
cables. However in some instances
this may not be possible, for
technical and other reasons, and if
this is the case then we will indicate
to you what alternative
arrangements for cable routing (if
any) we can make. If, for any reason,
we are unable to route the cable or
you do not accept our routing
proposal, this Agreement shall
terminate, provided that where the
cabling relates only to the provision
of certain Services, this Agreement
may, at our option, terminate in
relation to those Services only.
5.6 You agree to provide at your own
cost, suitable facilities, including
secure electrical supply and other
installations and fittings, for the
Equipment and you will comply with
our reasonable requests and
directions in this regard. You agree
that you or a person authorised by
you (who is over 18 years of age) will
be present at your premises during
that part of the connection process
that takes place there. You may
need to prepare your premises in
accordance with our reasonable
instructions before the Equipment
can be installed and Services can be
provided to you. You have
responsibility for obtaining any rights
and permissions necessary in order
for us to connect and maintain the
Equipment.
5.7 You warrant that you are the current
occupier of the Address, and are
either the freeholder of the Address
or a tenant of the premises under a
lease of 12 months or more; and that
you are over 18 years of age and
legally entitled to sign a contract.
5.8 The terms in this paragraph,
including the licence granted by you
to us, shall continue in force for as
long as we hold the licence,
notwithstanding termination of
this Agreement.

beauf

...
5.5 We will make every effort to site the
Equipment in a location of your
choice and will endeavour to comply
with any reasonable requests you
may have regarding the routing of
cables. However in some instances
this may not be possible, for
technical and other reasons, and if
this is the case then we will indicate
to you what alternative
arrangements for cable routing (if
any) we can make. If, for any reason,
we are unable to route the cable or
you do not accept our routing
proposal, this Agreement shall
terminate, provided that where the
cabling relates only to the provision
of certain Services, this Agreement
may, at our option, terminate in
relation to those Services only....

This seems to be opt out clause. Though might be difficult getting services in the future if you do....

The tax man

That equipment is very old and may very well be inactive. All equipment in that picture has been out of network spec for well over a decade now.
Still some network equipment out there that gets forgotten about or left in place after it's been deactivated.

Virgin have a forum in the "Talk to" section on Boards. Might be a less painful option than 1908 to get someone out to your house to confirm if in use or not, removal etc.

beauf

What do those boxes do...

tapfit2004

I was wiring a building in Dublin city centre about 12 years ago. There was a plug top plugged into a socket in one of the rooms we were working in and the wire was going out through the window which was left ajar.

I thought it was feeding a flood light and that it was done as a temporary job but when I traced the wire I found that it was feeding a little enclosure with a circuit breaker in it which in turn fed a booster of some sort for UPC. I asked the person who ran the building how long that it had been left like that and he said he'd been there 14 years and it was done before he arrived.

I told him that it couldn't be left like it was and that there needed to be a permanent job done. I also said that at a minimum there should be a check meter put on it and that the electricity cost should be covered but that after at least 14 years of free power UPC would more than likely provide free broadband and TV through the building.

We tried to make contact with someone in UPC who knew what we were talking about but got no joy so one morning I plugged it out. Around lunchtime 2 fellas appeared from UPC and were a bit unhappy and a bit aggressive when I told them that I plugged it out. Then I told them that I wouldn't plug it back in because it was a botch job, their attitude changed and they promised anything to get it back on. There was about a square mile of the city without broadband or TV including a couple of top end hotels.

The fella running the building asked me to get them going and to make provision for a more permanent job. He had them over a barrel but he didn't want to push things. In the end we wired a proper supply out to it whicn UPC weren't billed for, there was no meter put on it so they continued to get free power and up until I left the job, a few months later, UPC hadn't offered them free TV or broadband or anything.

From what I have seen working around Dublin UPC/NTL/RTE Relays (and the other few names in between) did a lot of temporary jobs which wouldn't be allowed these days and if its pointed out to them (and the equipment is important enough) they will be very facilitating. The standard offer years ago was free analogue TV but now that i is gone I don't know what they offer.

If you push them too much they will remove everything and you will get nothing from them. I saw it happen in one house and the owner now can't get broadband from them because he made them remove the wire from the front of his house. After seeing what they did in the city centre building I wouldn't be their biggest fan but I think they are reasonable enough to deal with when you are ok with them.

Rosser

Has anyone heard anything about the long waited Virgin STB, Horizon is just a farce at this stage.

I don’t want to move to sky while keeping Virgin for broadband but they’re making it inevitable

icdg

Thats a question worth a different thread, I think. We don’t drag up old threads and certainly not to change the subject