Do I have to get a TV licence from Billag? - Page 20

KarlN · #**381** 06.10.2009, 17:08

Your landlord is correct. As to whether you can still get internet, you ll have to check with cablecom. If you have a radio in your car you have to also pay billag on that .

	Quote:	Miss-Lizzy
	Interesting thread here. I've read through most of the posts here and am still unclear as to whether I have to pay this or not, as I'm no user of swiss tv/radio in any way. I have just ordered cablecom internet WITHOUT phone or tv. I don't have a radio. I've got a computer where I watch BBC iPlayer via VPN/Internet. I don't watch any streaming TV, let alone swiss television. >> hence I believe I don't have to pay But my landlord said to totally and definitely avoid it I'd have to get cablecom to put something over the arial connection, but if they do that then I couldn't get any internet anymore either. Is this true? Or can I just leave everything as it is and be fine with it? In other words, what do I have to do to legally NOT have to pay Billag, but still keep my computer and internet.

Miss-Lizzy · #**382** 06.10.2009, 17:10

Thanks.
I don't have a car though.

portsmouth68 · #**383** 06.10.2009, 17:10

	Quote:	Miss-Lizzy
	Interesting thread here. I've read through most of the posts here and am still unclear as to whether I have to pay this or not, as I'm no user of swiss tv/radio in any way. I have just ordered cablecom internet WITHOUT phone or tv. I don't have a radio. I've got a computer where I watch BBC iPlayer via VPN/Internet. I don't watch any streaming TV, let alone swiss television. >> hence I believe I don't have to pay But my landlord said to totally and definitely avoid it I'd have to get cablecom to put something over the arial connection, but if they do that then I couldn't get any internet anymore either. Is this true? Or can I just leave everything as it is and be fine with it? In other words, what do I have to do to legally NOT have to pay Billag, but still keep my computer and internet.

Hi

To clarify the situation in my experience you do not have to pay the billag if you decide that you want a television service that does not come through the cable connection.

I have bluewin TV and do not pay the Billag but you do have to contact them and they will come and seal up the connection so that there is no cheating. Without the seal you have to pay.

I get my telephone line and internet as well as my TV connection through Swisscom which is competitively priced when the 3 are joined together

Miss-Lizzy · #**384** 06.10.2009, 17:16

Thanks, I signed up with cablecom as their internet was the cheapest for me and I didn't want telephone or tv or anything else. Now I'm in a year's contract I believe, so can't really change.

Anyone got an experience with cablecom sealing the aerial but still wanting internet via cablecom?

Tom1234 · #**385** 06.10.2009, 17:37

	Quote:	Miss-Lizzy
	Thanks, I signed up with cablecom as their internet was the cheapest for me and I didn't want telephone or tv or anything else. Now I'm in a year's contract I believe, so can't really change. Anyone got an experience with cablecom sealing the aerial but still wanting internet via cablecom?

We have Cablecom internet
We only pay Billag for the radio portion of the fee as we have a car radio.
We live in an appartment.

You don't need to pay Billag. The rules are over TV receiving equipment - not the transmission route (TV signals over air are everywhere !)

Tell your landlord to do his homework

amogles · #**386** 07.10.2009, 09:58

	Quote:	Karlnmik
	Why dont you just pay your licence , because you have to!! .Most law abiding people would.... you avoid the issue of hastle and ease your concience at the same time. When in Switzerland.... etc etc

If you scroll back a bit on the page you'll see we've been over this.

amogles · #**387** 13.10.2009, 11:44

	Quote:	Miss-Lizzy
	Thanks. I don't have a car though.

That doesn't matter.

In the logic of Billag, the fact that I don't have a TV still means that I do have a TV.

By the same logic, the fact that you don't have a car means that you still have a radio in that car and you have to pay a licence for that. Period.

There's no reasoned arguing with these people.

However, if Billag people argue like that I have some understanding as they are payed commission on a per victim basis. They are thus incentivised to act more stupid than they are. When people on this forum decide to be their unpayed advocates and relgiously parrot this non logic - thinking it somehow gives them some moral higher ground, that is something I don't understand.

Papa Goose · #**388** 13.10.2009, 11:54

My understanding was that if you have an appliance capable of picking up TV or radio you had to stump up. That included TV's, radio's, computers that can access TV via the internet, car radios and even mobile phones that can be used to listen to the radio. So with typical Swiss efficiency.... they pretty much have you by the short & curlies

amogles · #**389** 13.10.2009, 13:38

	Quote:	Papa Goose
	My understanding was that if you have an appliance capable of picking up TV or radio you had to stump up. That included TV's, radio's, computers that can access TV via the internet, car radios and even mobile phones that can be used to listen to the radio. So with typical Swiss efficiency.... they pretty much have you by the short & curlies

Though as far as I know, the definition of "capable of picking up" has yet to be tested by a court of law in relation to mobile phones and computers - and for fear of a ruling that could hard-fence certain exceptions, Billag are trying to keep that one as vague and fluffy as possible and so are highly unlikely to haul anyone before a judge over that issue. As long as this is the only device you have that can pick up signals from the outside world, I think you have little to fear.

#**390** 18.10.2009, 12:54

	Quote:	Papa Goose
	My understanding was that if you have an appliance capable of picking up TV or radio you had to stump up. That included TV's, radio's, computers that can access TV via the internet, car radios and even mobile phones that can be used to listen to the radio. So with typical Swiss efficiency.... they pretty much have you by the short & curlies

A fair number of mobile phones come with a radio, even though I've no intention of ever using one for radio listening. I don't think you'll have much luck buying a hifi without radio unless you are going for high end separates - just have a look next time you are in an electrical shop.

der_jerebear · #**391** 21.10.2009, 17:43

Hey, ive just checked the long post about billag, couldnt find an answer to the question, was wondering if someone knew...

At my girlfriends house, weve had a tv for a month or two but forgot to register, didnt realize it was necessary. We havent bought the tv, it was from a friend, and shes been moved in for a while with no tv before. Do we just say we got it today, because we dont know the exact date we started using it? What are the odds they have the technology to find out the real date we started? Anyone have any information or experience?

Thanks

Doctor · #**392** 21.10.2009, 17:52

I would just register and pay. They dont have a reason to bother you, and will simply leave you alone.

I dont think there is any other way, for them, than watching a colorful flickering light happen in your window, to prove that you have a TV.

In my old flat in Scotland, the Billag equivalent wanted to prove, that I was the owner of a TV, because there was an Antenna Cable on the wall, leading to my flat, but since i did not have a TV, they were welcome to drop by.

Doc.

herc82 · #**393** 21.10.2009, 17:53

	Quote:	der_jerebear
	Hey, ive just checked the long post about billag, couldnt find an answer to the question, was wondering if someone knew... At my girlfriends house, weve had a tv for a month or two but forgot to register, didnt realize it was necessary. We havent bought the tv, it was from a friend, and shes been moved in for a while with no tv before. Do we just say we got it today, because we dont know the exact date we started using it? What are the odds they have the technology to find out the real date we started? Anyone have any information or experience? Thanks

When you register, you just enter the current date - they will probably be just happy that they don't have to visit you too.... In my case they were nice even, and did not charge me for the previous couple of months that I did not register for (first appartment, I really did not know about this and I'm Swiss....), they came by to have a chat with me though...

Don't lose any sleep over this..

Chemmie · #**394** 21.10.2009, 17:55

On this topic.

I have a fairly large monitor--to plug my laptop in.

Sitting there when i have the laptop away (most of the day), it looks like a bigscreen tv.

I shouldn't have to register this right as it doesn't have a built in tuner?

Now if i buy a tv-tuner card (or usb stick) for the laptop then this will change?

Doctor · #**395** 21.10.2009, 18:10

If you are able to receive a TV-Signal, you should pay.

If you can't receive the signal, you are fine.

Having a broadband connection may also mean, you have to pay

Doc.

#**396** 21.10.2009, 18:12

You have to pay billag if you have something to listen to the radio or watch the TV.

If you can watch TV on your Computer : pay
If you have a radio in your car : pay
If you have a mobile which permit to watch TV : pay

danny · #**397** 09.11.2009, 20:43

	Quote:	simon_ch
	Have had similar problems, they are horrible.

---

I had them come by too and i was'nt around so he left a note.

danny · #**398** 09.11.2009, 20:48

	Quote:	fduvall
	Our apartment complex just received letters from Billag today. I thought that it was included in our "nebenkost" but I guess this means it is not. Do I start paying now or backdate from when I arrived? fduvall

you need to check

danny · #**399** 09.11.2009, 20:54

	Quote:	ip2012
	I had a visit from the Billag man the other day. I had not known about the rules about radio registration -- and he gave me a paper to sign which declares that I have a working radio. Now the question-- can I expect to be fined because I didnot voluntarily register the radio? Has anyone had similar experiences? Thanks.

A colleague moved recently to his friend's apt (flatshare). He cancelled his Billag as his friend had paid for it already. Within a week a Billag guy came checking to see if there was a TV etc. I wonder how these guys got the new address as my colleague did not give Billag the new address, only cancelled the service. Strange.

Princezinha · #**400** 24.11.2009, 02:07

Hi everyone,
I've tried searching other posts but haven't found any of them related to my situation so hopefully you all can help. To years ago we moved to Switzerland and regestered with billag. At the time when they did the inspection we didn't have any sort of radio (including car radio) only internet, so the man registered us to pay the radio fee. Today they did another inspection and although we now have a radio, we still only have internet and no tv. This new guy explained that we needed to pay the television fee as well because it's possible to get channels ect... So my question is, is it likely that I will receive a fine for not registering as having a functioning tv (even though we don't) ?
Thanks