The do I need to keep my phone connected Sky question.

superbigal36

So after the annual cat and mouse and 3 weeks of cold turkey I have my Sky package with Multiscreen back.
I have no equipment newer than 12 months old and have now been with them for 5 years.


Key point in new letter arrived today.
DO I NEED TO KEEP MY PHONE LINE CONNECTED TO MY SKY BOX.


NO. HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE TAKEN SKY MULTISCREEN YOU NEED TO KEEP ANY INTERNET CAPABLE BOXES CONNECTED TO YOUR BROADBAND/HOME NETWORK (EG VIA WIFI) IF YOU HAVE NETWORK ACCESS AT HOME AND WE HAVE SUPPLIED THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO CONNECT.


PLEASE IGNORE ANY FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE THAT ASKS YOU TO CONNECT YOUR BOXES TO A PHONE LINE.


From this it looks like call backs must be a thing of the past.

duchy

They are - definitely.

[Deleted User]

superbigal36 wrote: »

So after the annual cat and mouse and 3 weeks of cold turkey I have my Sky package with Multiscreen back.

If they've simply switched your original Multi-room set up back on then your phone does still need to be connected to both boxes.

If they've completed a brand new installation ( effective from December 18th 2013) with the latest decoders then you don't need a phone connection as they can use the internet link up to ascertain whether your boxes are located at the same address.

People installed prior to December last year still require the 'phone connection indefinitely.

macman

How does this work-does it compare the IP address of each box registered?

[Deleted User]

macman wrote: »

How does this work-does it compare the IP address of each box registered?

Exactly that.:)

duchy

No they don't -no boxes have to be connected for "multiroom" purposes anymore as per Sky's internal memo effective 18/12

Nilrem

macman wrote: »

How does this work-does it compare the IP address of each box registered?

Probably, or it may be that the boxes communicate with each other on the local network and send a message back every now and then over the internet connection.

Both would probably work, and if I were doing it would use both (IE have the boxes try and talk to each over on the local network so they can confirm they're in the same place*, then both send an "I'm here" message back over the internet).

It's basically an updated version of the old call back over the phone line system that is ideally suited for people using boxes with on demand capabilities.


*It could be fooled, but it would be a little tricky to do unless you're reasonably technically minded (and would probably require you to setup a better than normal router, or have the boxes connected to the net through a PC).

[Deleted User]

Nilrem wrote: »

Probably, or it may be that the boxes communicate with each other on the local network and send a message back every now and then over the internet connection.

Sky are certainly experimenting with having the boxes "talk" to each other and this should probably mean Planner sharing between boxes becomes a reality in the near future.

[Deleted User]

duchy wrote: »

No they don't -no boxes have to be connected for "multiroom" purposes anymore as per Sky's internal memo effective 18/12

This only applies to new installs where a broadband connection is available as an alternative to the telephone, as already noted earlier in the thread.

Here's Sky's updated terms and conditions with regard Multi-Screen

SKY_WEBSITE wrote:

Each Multiscreen subscription you take out can only be viewed at the same Address as your first Sky digital subscription.
• If you have an active Multiscreen subscription, the Box used to receive your first Sky digital subscription and the Box(es) used to receive your Multiscreen subscription(s) must always be connected to any residential broadband service you receive, provided the Boxes can be connected to broadband and we have supplied you with the equipment necessary to make the connections (e.g. an On Demand connector). You must let us collect information through the connections, including Box location information.
• You must give us reasonable access to inspect the Boxes at your Address to check that any Box used to receive a Multiscreen subscription is located at the same Address as the Box used to receive your first Sky digital subscription.

superbigal36

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

If they've simply switched your original Multi-room set up back on then your phone does still need to be connected to both boxes.

If they've completed a brand new installation ( effective from December 18th 2013) with the latest decoders then you don't need a phone connection as they can use the internet link up to ascertain whether your boxes are located at the same address.

People installed prior to December last year still require the 'phone connection indefinitely.

You may well be correct.
However as I have a personal agreement with sky in writing with my name,address and account number on it, that I REPEAT says.


"PLEASE IGNORE ANY FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE THAT ASKS YOU TO CONNECT YOUR BOXES TO A PHONE LINE.


That is good enough for me.


For further information my equipment is NOT NEW.
I do NOT have sky broadband.
However I DO use wireless boxes for on demand and have sky go extra.

[Deleted User]

superbigal36 wrote: »

For further information my equipment is NOT NEW.
I do NOT have sky broadband.
However I DO use wireless boxes for on demand and have sky go extra.

Your equipment still sounds internet enabled and you don't need to have Broadband from Sky.