Hmmmmm, thanks Bell:rolleyes:

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/413096

What, I thought they did that already! :D

Interesting idea though. Could be a reasonable alternative to OTA.

-Mike

Sounds kind of like Freeview (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeview) in the UK.

I will call it free when you don't have to pay for the same SD channel in Digital Standard or Themes.

What a Road of Clap!

"This is maybe the first time we are hearing any detail of this proposal," said Paul Sparkes, executive vice-president of corporate affairs with CTVglobemedia. "It is not really `free.' It is fee-for-carriage for them. It is another free ride."

Sounds like their sister is not amused.

"Smith said FreeSat would also be a boon to conventional broadcasters because it would allow them to avoid "huge investments" in new transmission towers and distribution systems to carry those high-definition signals across the country."

They are a little afraid of OTA. OTA will still kick their butt in the compression department anyway.

It's just a wolf in sheep's clothing, really. They're trying to come across as the good guys here, when their ulterior motive (upsell to these FreeSat people) is glaringly apparent.

It really doesn't solve the problem, though. Someone in Thunder Bay would be getting CTV HD Toronto - not CTV HD Thunder Bay.

Agreed, it seems like a knee-jerk reaction to the upcoming Digital OTA cutover.

Message to BEV: go back to the drawing board and create a new business model that actually tries to deal with reality.

They are a little afraid of OTA. OTA will still kick their butt in the compression department anyway.Don't forget that lots of people don't have access to OTA - period. For those wanting the equivalent channels, this might be a nice option. Really, since those channels are technically free anyway, why shouldn't all the television providers be offering them in the clear? That puts them all on equal footing.

-Mike

That is how the FCC sees things in the U.S. now: Locals broadcasting in Digital OTA are carried free in the station's area by cable and satellite providers.

When more and more Locals go to Digital OTA there will have to be similar solutions offered here in Canada, I'm sure.

Nimiq 4 will continue to enhance digital television services in Canada. It will feature 32 active high-power transponders in Ku-band and 8 in Ka-band. The multi-spot Ka-band payload will provide coverage of the most densely populated regions of Canada.
Maybe they'll provide local HD channels via Ka-band Spot beams.

Is this a way to get Bev boxes into more houses? Absolutely!

Would this be good for the consumer? Absolutely!

Personally, I think it is brilliant marketing. Give people the technology to get the "free" stuff with a chance to upsell. It definitely benefits those that only want the "free" stuff, doesn't take anything away from those who want to pay to subscribe. Even if cable co's don't offer something similar, they have had a foothold over sat for years/decades. Houses always came prewired for cable and it is only in recent years that some come prewired for sat.

They're trying to come across as the good guys here, when their ulterior motive (upsell to these FreeSat people) is glaringly apparent.

So Bell is actually trying to get customers to purchase MORE programming?:confused:
And they are to be faulted for giving something away for free?

I think they are being asked to pay for what they have been getting free and charging us.

I think they are being asked to pay for what they have been getting free and charging us.
Wouldn't whatever boxes Bell provides to recieve OTA have some kind of monthly rental?
Doesn't seem to be completely free.

So its not completely free
The "New Bell HD Packages (formerly titled: Bell HD Price Increase)" thread is getting just as much complaining about them raising the prices
I don't get it:confused:
Damned if you do, damned if you don't
So all those not happy in this thread, should they just scrap the "free" hd, and raise prices?

Don't forget that come 2009, many Canadians will need a STB to continue receiving American stations OTA. Ditto for Canadian channels OTA, in 2011.

-Mike

Doesn't seem to be completely free.
Your TV wasn't free either.

Again, it doesn't solve the problem they're claiming it's aimed at. They're saying they'll save broadcasters money by removing the need for them to launch OTA HD channels in all their various markets. But that removes local programming for people outside of a few select areas.

Agreed, this might be good for some people, but for the most part it's a trick on Bell's part to try to fool the CRTC.

I doubt it's a trick, but I agree they'll use it as a means to get new subscribers (no company does anything for free). That's why I said it has to be done across the board, including cable.

-Mike

why would bell promote a service that is free??...it doesn't sound right to me, and knowing bell, they will design it in such a way that the "free service" will be practically useless without "adding" to it.