Telenet to replace oldest decoders by newer devices
Mechelen, 30 January 2020 - Telenet is taking its oldest type of digicorders and digiboxes off the market. Customers renting a decoder can exchange it for a newer device free of charge. The decoders in question were distributed between 2007 and 2013. An important part of the software is no longer provided by the supplier. As a result, the decoders will soon no longer be able to ‘read’ the digital TV signal correctly. Telenet can therefore no longer support the digital signal to those decoders with effect from 31 March. The company communicates this clearly to all customers concerned.
No longer encrypted
All the digital channels that a customer receives at home are always securely ‘encrypted’. This is done by means of a device that the customer can either rent or buy from Telenet: a digicorder, a digibox, or a CI+ card. In this way, Telenet guarantees the copyright owners of the movies, series and programs that their content arrives securely at the customer’s home and cannot be further disseminated. For the oldest active version of decoders, the supplier has informed Telenet that it no longer provides this ‘key’. For that reason, Telenet is obliged to stop sending the digital signal to those decoders with effect from 31 March.
Mainly in the bedroom or attic
The oldest type of active digicorders and digiboxes were distributed between 2007 and 2013. The last update on those devices dates from May 2014. For that reason, the decoders do not support the latest version of the TV menu, and customers cannot use applications such as ‘Terugkijk TV’ (Playback TV). Customers renting a decoder have already been able to exchange it for a newer model free of charge. The vast majority have already done so. Just 2% of TV customers still have such a decoder, mainly as a ‘second’ device for use in the bedroom or attic room, for example.
Different solutions
Some 15,000 customers still rent such a decoder. They can swap it free of charge for a newer model with more functionalities. For customers who purchased their decoder Telenet offers several solutions. Some 30,000 purchased appliances of at least six years old are still around on the market. These customers can rent a new decoder free of charge until 31 July 2020. After that they pay the standard rental charge (€9.37 or €4.53 per month). Customers who prefer to buy the new decoder can get a discount of €15 on a digibox or €35 on a digicorder. Those who no longer want to use a decoder can use ‘TV with a Card’ or YUGO. Two in three of those purchased decoders are used as ‘second’ device in the bedroom or attic, for example. As an alternative, the Yelo TV app or website can be used (included in the TV subscription).
Personal communication
All customers with that type of decoder will be notified personally from 3 February by letter and email. Banners to inform customers will also appear on the channels from 17 February. From 31 March, customers will no longer be able to watch TV with those decoders. Nevertheless, no one will really be without television: the twenty-odd channels of the basic cable offering will still be available.
The above special offers are valid from 4 February 2020.