Gadget Guy
Whitefish/Calgary
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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You live in BC, so your best option is Star Choice, because in the west you will not get all your channels that you pay for using Bell. Your existing dome will work with Bell, Direct or Dish networks. These three all use the same technology, whereas Star Choice uses a different technology. As other posters have said Bell will NOT give you any support south of the 49 but Star Choice will.
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RDalr
St-Zotique
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Joined: 04/04/2004
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I am a Bell user. Agree with all of say that Bell is not RV Friendly. That having been said, if you have to go with Bell (like I do), do it and don't call them. The reception in Florida is very decent.
If I had a choice, I would go with Star Choice.
Regards
RDalr
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bobmacc
Ontario
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Joined: 07/13/2008
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Some background on why BEV might not be "RV Friendly".
When ExpressVu was introduced, Bell marketed ExpressVu as "portable" and readily provided a second dish for summer homes or whatever. A complaint by Rogers Cable to the CRTC (Canadian equiv of FCC) that their (Rogers) "regulated service" was restricted to a single designated "service" address forced Bell to change their Customer agreement restricting service to a single address. Obviously Bell would have enjoyed a significant competitive advantage with the portability of satellite technology versus cable, hence the complaint. That change precluded the "sanctioned use" in an RV or summer home or any second location.
Bell's CRTC licence restricts them to providing serice to Canada only. That said, you should have no technical problem getting ExpressVu throughout most of the US. You will note a "date" on screen 3 of the System Setup - Installation - System Info section of the Install menu that Bell checks into your set box about every two months via telephone so as long as you return the box to your home and reconnect to the telephone line as soon as you return, you should not have problems with Bell. If it occurs over an extended period, Bell will have you provide info from this menu when they contact you and could cut you off if you cannot "find" a unit.
bob
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icechip
Manitoba
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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Why is it that Bell can use the CRTC "in Canada only" statement as an excuse and Shaw(Starchoice is not bound by the same CRTC rule.
My opinion is that Bell made a deal with Dish that they would not encroach on other as they use the same satellite technology.
As for having your phone connected to a phone line so Bell can check on the system every couple months this is false. I know of several people who have had Bell for years and never been connected to a phone line. They hope you do connect so you will be enticed to use the instant pay-per-view function thru the phone system. This may have changed now so that you have to enable this funtion as many people found their children had ordered events without consent in years past. No parental locks on.
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RDalr
St-Zotique
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Joined: 04/04/2004
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Icechip,
I tend to agree with you. My bell service has never been connected to a phone line and I am not about to begin either! Like I said, I invested too much with Bell to change to Star Choice. If things were different Star Choice would be my first choice.
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bobmacc
Ontario
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Icechip:
I agree with you on the deal with Dish. I suspect Shaw is able to offer RV service because the Rogers/Bell ruling does not apply to them. I suspect that if you have one or two receivers, Bell will not be concerned about the phone connection. I have 5 and I can assure you they are concerned and will contact you over time if not connected. If you check the Customer service agreement, you will find the requirement to connect to a telephone is clearly spelled out there and this gives them the right to deny service if they want. I have been through the process twice despite being a customer since they launched. Their issue with customers with several receivers is insuring they are not reselling the service in other locations. In any event, with increased competition it is no service provider's interest to bother customers on matters such as this that destroys any loyality that might have existed.
bob
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