Upgrading a communal TV aerial system to digital will involve some expenditure. The cost will vary depending on property size, type, location, residents’ choice, landlord agreement and works required.
There are many factors affecting the cost of preparing a communal TV aerial system for switchover, these are:
The following guide figures are for budgetary purposes. However, they may vary depending on the property and the type of work being undertaken. As switchover approaches, prices may vary due to a shortage of competent installers.
| System | System Description | System Cost |
|---|---|---|
| A MATV Upgrade | Replacing the head-end (aerials, amplifiers, filters) but reusing the existing distribution cabling and outlet sockets. | From £40 per outlet |
| A new MATV system | Installing new head-end, distribution cabling and outlet sockets | From £130 per outlet An additional £10 per outlet if the old system is to be taken out and disposed of. |
| Basic IRS | 5 wire system uses a single feed to provide digital television through an aerial or satellite. This system does not support Sky+ and Freesat+. | From £200 per outlet |
| Enhanced IRS 5 wire | Enhanced IRS uses a dual feed to support the use of Sky+ and Freesat+ | From £220 per outlet |
| Enhanced IRS 9 wire | Enhanced IRS with dual feed to support Sky+ and Freesat+ and an additional satellite for foreign language services | From £245 per outlet |
| Enhanced 13 wire IRS | Enhanced IRS with dual feed to support Sky+ and Freesat+ and two additional satellite for foreign language services. | From £275 per outlet |
There is no government funding for the upgrade of communal TV systems. Landlords or managing agents may choose to recover the cost through service charges which will be governed by the terms of the tenancy or lease agreements.
Additional costs may be incurred where frequency changes are required to communal aerial systems where channelised equipment, such as filters are being used.
Both MATV and Integrated Reception Systems (IRS) may be fitted with these and you should contact your installer or maintenance contractor to see whether any additional works will be required to your system at switchover. This may require a contractor manually re-tuning the headend. Failure to do this may result in televisions connected to the systems not being able to receive the full range of programmes until such time as the system is updated.
There may also be further technical events where communal aerial systems may need attention.
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Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm, Sat 10am - 4pm. Extended opening hours on switchover dates.
