Sealing cable connection: costs, fees, procedure
More and more people are using fibre optic. This makes a cable connection superfluous in many cases. Sealing the TV connection avoids unnecessary costs.
20.09.2022
iStock/FG Trade
1. Why should I seal my cable connection?
Do you use TV and Internet products that use a cable connection? If you do, you need your cable connection and cannot seal it. Products from cable network operators such as Quickline or Sunrise (formerly UPC) use this connection.
Most cable connections look like this:
iStock/Octavian Lazar
Is your TV box and the internet connected to a fibre optic connection? If so, you do not need a cable connection. You can shut down the cable connection. You will not incur any costs for this. Check here if a fibre optic connection is available at your address: to internet check.
Beware of hidden costs
In rented apartments, the cable connection is often billed via the utility costs. Many tenants are unaware of this. If you do not need a connection, study your rental contract and ancillary costs in detail. If you seal the connection, you usually save several hundred francs per year.
2. How do I proceed with the seal?
Seal cable connection as tenant
Contact your landlord or landlady. Normally, they provide a specialist who seals the cable connection. We recommend that you contact the rental agency in writing. Send a copy of the letter to the cable provider.
The exact procedure depends on how the cable connection is charged:
Via utility expenses: once the connection is sealed, your utility costs should be lower. For termination, the tenant association provides a form in Word format.
Flat rate billing: request cancellation of the flat rate at the latest by the next termination date. The Tenants’ Association also offers you a template in Word format for this.
Included in the net rent: use the same form as for the flat-rate settlement. Demand a rent reduction from your rental agency.
Tip: to be on the safe side, send the letter by registered mail.
Seal cable connection as a homeowner
Property owners can request the cable provider directly to shut the connection down.
3. Sealing the TV connection: how much does it cost?
Would you like to have your connection sealed or not used from the outset? According to the Telecommunications Act, operators may not charge any fees for this.
4. How can I save costs and fees?
You can save on fees if you do not use cable TV or internet. Products from Swisscom, Salt or Sunrise usually run via a fibre optic connection or a traditional telephone connection. Compare a range of deals Comparis also lists the hidden costs transparently:
Cable network operators are increasingly concluding direct contracts with end customers. This is especially the case with combination offers (TV set-top box and Internet). There are often minimum contract periods of 12 to 24 months.
Good to know: if you have a direct contract with the cable provider, check your rental cost statement carefully. This is because you could be asked to pay twice: both by the provider and by the rental company.
This article was first published on 07.12.2018
