Rogers Required?

[Keebler Elf]

If the building you are in tells you they are only set up for Rogers internet/TV, is that true or do they just have a deal with Rogers and want you to use it because they get a kickback?

This building doesn't have regular phone jacks, it only has the internet jacks (I think they're DSL jacks).

I called Bell and they said they could provide VDSL internet service to the building, which I confirmed on the Bell website. But the website also says that TV is not available in the building at this time.

Is there any problem with using Bell in a building that tells you they're set up for Rogers? The building has never bluntly said you MUST use Rogers, but they tell you it's set up for Rogers and here's the Rogers number and brochure yada yada yada.

I'm just wondering if there are options available the building isn't telling us about...

 

[Sammy the Bull]

True

Buildings often make mega-deals with one cable provider.
They get a huge cut rate when they do

 

[Tangwhich]

VDSL is a TV/Internet combo.. it's what Bell calls ExpressVu for Condos (do a search for that specficially and check to see if your building has it, it should).
Although bell has a new service coming next year that a select number of buildings have on trial basis.. if you've not heard about it, most likely your building does not have it.

It was common place at one time for buildings to make exclusive deals but the CRTC outlawed them several years ago and voided any existing contracts. If the setup is there, you can use whomever you choose.

 

[Sammy the Bull]

It was common place at one time for buildings to make exclusive deals but the CRTC outlawed them several years ago and voided any existing contracts. If the setup is there, you can use whomever you choose.

You sure about that?? Someone forget to tell my condo building then.
We strictly have Rogers, its included in our monthly maintenance fees.

 

[Tangwhich]

You sure about that?? Someone forget to tell my condo building then.
We strictly have Rogers, its included in our monthly maintenance fees.

Hmm... I'm not sure how it relates to places where service is included for all residences. But I am 100% sure that for places where you pay for your own services, you cannot be restricted to one company.
I would imagine that if you wanted to pick something else, you'd be allowed to (if the company has service to your building).. but then what happens to what you pay (as part of your condo fee)?
I dunno..

 

[Moraff]

Hmm... I'm not sure how it relates to places where service is included for all residences. But I am 100% sure that for places where you pay for your own services, you cannot be restricted to one company.
I would imagine that if you wanted to pick something else, you'd be allowed to (if the company has service to your building).. but then what happens to what you pay (as part of your condo fee)?
I dunno..

I'm guessing (since I only have friends who've own(ed) condos, never had one myself) but if the condo board has voted to buy Rogers for the building and you decide you want Bell (for example) you could pay for Bell but you'd still be paying your full condo fee unless you could convince the board to drop the Rogers for all and let everyone fend for themselves.

 

[Keebler Elf]

This isn't a situation where the internet/TV is included in the condo fee. It's separate.

If the condo includes cable in the condo fee then yeah, I think you're shit outta luck unless you want to pay twice.

 

[OddSox]

I'm guessing (since I only have friends who've own(ed) condos, never had one myself) but if the condo board has voted to buy Rogers for the building and you decide you want Bell (for example) you could pay for Bell but you'd still be paying your full condo fee unless you could convince the board to drop the Rogers for all and let everyone fend for themselves.

That's pretty much the way it works. It's just like if your condo fee includes a pool that you don't use - you still don't get a discount. But if you want to go swimming at the Y down the street, you're more than welcome to.

You still have a choice, sort of.

 

[aries]

I was in the same situation as you when I moved into the new condo at SQ1. Stick with rogers for TV, unfortunately you can't get HD signal through the VDSL line. I had rogers for internet as well but they would Severly throttle any torrentz or file sharing sites I went to so I I switched back to Sympatico.

 

[Tangwhich]

Stick with rogers for TV, unfortunately you can't get HD signal through the VDSL line. QUOTE]

It's coming.. I've got it now, but as I stated earlier it's on a test basis at the moment.. but it's worth the wait, trust me..

 

[Brookstone]

I used to live in a condo. We all had Rogers TV. But I had Sympatico for internet. Dont think you can do anything about the TV, but I'm sure the internet is your choice.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I was in the same situation as you when I moved into the new condo at SQ1. Stick with rogers for TV, unfortunately you can't get HD signal through the VDSL line. I had rogers for internet as well but they would Severly throttle any torrentz or file sharing sites I went to so I I switched back to Sympatico.

Couldn't you just use cable for the TV? Why did you need the VDSL line for that?

 

[thompo69]

Hmm... I'm not sure how it relates to places where service is included for all residences. But I am 100% sure that for places where you pay for your own services, you cannot be restricted to one company.
I would imagine that if you wanted to pick something else, you'd be allowed to (if the company has service to your building).. but then what happens to what you pay (as part of your condo fee)?
I dunno..

I wouldn't be so 100% sure. I know of more than a few new condos that are set up that way.

 

[Armagettin]

If the building you are in tells you they are only set up for Rogers internet/TV, is that true or do they just have a deal with Rogers and want you to use it because they get a kickback?

Here is how it usually works. If Rogers provides (read - pays for the capital cost) the cable installed in the building then they retain the right to control its use.

If the owner pays for the installation of the cable or buys it back then they can do what they want with it. The demarcation point is typically at the building wall so anyone can bring service to the building. The owner can, and often will, make a deal with Rogers or another company and get a cut and also save on the capital cost of CAT 4/5 etc. cable.

There might be other setups but this has been my experience in setting up buildings. I set up one deal with another cable company that the cost to the owner was $20/mth for basic cable, for each apartment. The apartment dweller was charged the usual rate. Cash cow.

If you can get TV through another method that doesn't use their wiring then you are good to go.

 

[Keebler Elf]

What about phone lines? There's no phone jacks (the narrow jacks) in the unit. There's only cable outlets and internet/DSL (the wider jacks) outlets.

Is it possible to add phone jacks? Or do new phone jacks just look like DSL jacks?

 

[Armagettin]

What about phone lines? There's no phone jacks in the unit. There's only cable outlets and internet (DSL?) outlets.

Is it possible to add phone jacks?

It sounds like they are running the phone signal through the dsl or cable line. The building is probably not wired with separate phone wire. I would have to see the drawings or visit the building to be positive but I am 90% certain.

We are now looking at cat 7 cable to run everything in one line.

Here is a forum that will be more apt to answer your questions from a consumer point of view.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/index.php?

 

[Keebler Elf]

Does that mean Bell can't use the DSL/cable line? Bell seems to think they can come in and install a phone jack...

Edit: One of the condo documents says the unit is pre-wired for telephone service and the provider is Rogers. It also says the unit is also equipped with Rogers Cable or Rogers Wireless. But it's not clear whether that means you MUST use Rogers or if they just WANT you to use Rogers.

 

[Nickelodeon]

Here is how it usually works. If Rogers provides (read - pays for the capital cost) the cable installed in the building then they retain the right to control its use.

If the owner pays for the installation of the cable or buys it back then they can do what they want with it. The demarcation point is typically at the building wall so anyone can bring service to the building. The owner can, and often will, make a deal with Rogers or another company and get a cut and also save on the capital cost of CAT 4/5 etc. cable.

There might be other setups but this has been my experience in setting up buildings. I set up one deal with another cable company that the cost to the owner was $20/mth for basic cable, for each apartment. The apartment dweller was charged the usual rate. Cash cow.

If you can get TV through another method that doesn't use their wiring then you are good to go.

This sounds about right, ie. someone has to own the inside wiring of the building. It is likely the Condo Corp, of which you are a shareholder of common property.

Then you and your fellow condo owners decide what to do with it. For reasons of compatibility and efficiency, it appears the Condo Corp has chosen Rogers.

Don't know if there is precedent for other choices once this decision is made.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

You sure about that?? Someone forget to tell my condo building then.
We strictly have Rogers, its included in our monthly maintenance fees.

Your building managers are breaking the law. Likely they have paid for a few installations and are splitting off the signal for profit. Rogers does not offer bulk licenses to landlords for redistribution of services.

 

[thompo69]

Your building managers are breaking the law. Likely they have paid for a few installations and are splitting off the signal for profit. Rogers does not offer bulk licenses to landlords for redistribution of services.

Please cite the law.