Please note that Cablecom used to provide free access to streaming television for all internet subscribers, which I think would have counted. They have now stopped this!
(they introduced a new internet tv-on-demand platform that seems to cost money / require an additional subscription).

So my feeling is that Cablecom subscribers without a TV but only a computer can now legitimately deregister from Billag.

Absolutely not! Bilag, is completely unrelated to you your provider ( except they are Swisscome owned ).
As long as you have ANY device in your posession that allows you to watch TV ( smartphone, tablet, PC etc inclduded ) you have to pay Bilag.

At least according to billag. But we've been over this before

This is true. But if you check the definition of such a "multifunctional" device (given on http://www.billag.ch/web/de/fragen_u...eraet_mfg.html and already discussed in this thread) you will see that a condition is to be registered with a service provider that allows you to watch streaming television.

Cablecom used to provide streaming of some tv channels to subscribers, which is why they are relevant here.

Exactly.

If you throw your old TV into a pond you don't need to give any money to Billag. But if you through it into a river the fact that the TV is being streamed means you must pay. So check the flow of the water carefully before dumping.

Back in Blighty its the same with shopping trolleys.

Just heard about this pathetic excuse for a rip off the other day...

I have a TV but it is not connected to any antenna or cable service - it is only used for playing xbox and watching movies.

The other day some guy knocked at the door asking if I have any TV's or radios. I said I have a TV but not connected to anything. He didn't understand much english so he said he would come back another time when someone was there who spoke german.

Since I figured out you have to pay 460 CHF a year just for OWNING a TV (even if you don't watch swiss TV), I have decided that is no way in hell I am going to pay for this rip off. Why should I pay for something I don't even use? Someone told me that Swiss TV and radio still has commercials to pay for the programs... yet they still want 460 CHF a year? For what exactly?

Since then the guy has tried to come back, maybe 5 times. From now on I don't answer the door unless its someone I'm expecting. So he can try coming back all he wants, but he'll be wasting his time haha.

I can't believe the swiss are so stupid to pay for this. Maybe they are just used to being ripped off on a daily basis? If they tried this in Australia it simply wouldn't work, as Australians hate to be ripped off. Most people in Australia would just laugh and tell the guy to f*** off.

Infrastructure.

With over 170 transmitting stations, broadcasting in Switzerland isn't cheap.

Also, private and non-Swiss broadcasters use the same infrastructure, so you are not only paying for Swiss programs.

Tom

So how does a country the size of Australia have free to air TV and not have to pay for a "license"?

I don't have any TV service (private or free to air), but according to billag I must pay. How is this fair?

I strongly encourage everyone here to NOT pay for billag. If everyone refuses to pay for it then it simply will not work and perhaps they will abolish the system completely.

You are really doing your best to fit in here, aren't you?

A lot of advertising pays for TV Down-under. You also have one language. The Australian TV licence was abandoned in the 1970s and ABC is financed through taxes. The same will happen in Switzerland soon.

The UK still has a TV license system. By all accounts ABC is "crap", while the BCC is world class...

Because Australian TV's great?

"Where is he Skippy?"

"He's trapped down a mineshaft with AussieSwiss."

"Let's rescue him but leave her down there".

Just a theory: What if the Swiss didn't consider that as rip off but as legitimate for public tv financing?

Just a question: What if a Swiss said fyck off to an Australian authority when enforcing australian law, would said Swiss get australian passport for excellent integration or would said Swiss get in trouble with the authorities?

Agree.

Do.
Not.
Answer.
The.
Door.

Nothing good comes from this. If someone needs something, they can leave a note.

We don't have a TV. We have a computer with ADSL but no cable, and we don't stream.

The Billag guy inspected us (I know, I know, the kids let him in ever-so-politely). He was apologetic (the reason why the kids answered the door was because we were just in the process of sitting down to eat dinner).

Anyway, the conversations went something like:
'No TV' - Ja, No TV'
No Cable - Ja, No Cable.

Ok den...Auf wiedersehen, Danke, Adieu....Kein Problem

I know everyone has an opinion on this, but there does seem to be a loophole (no tv, no dish, no cable, no streaming). And the Billag guy didn't send us a TV bill (just radio, so I do make a point of listening to mine every day)....

Will see if it changes in 2013. That was late 2011 or early 2012....

World class my a$s!

The BBC *was* at one stage, but it isn't anymore.

When I were a boy, you could sit down and watch a show without interruption, now a days, it seems like there is an interruption ever two bloody minutes.

And the quality of journalism is in the toilet.

Please tell us where there is a better TV service, anywhere in the world? I watch BBC here free of charge, excellent service.

Rarely have I read something here on EF so outright ignorant.

That is some real "Quality of Life" here in Switzerland... just don't open the door for anyone. ... totally 8-up.

Tell you what, do just that... don't open the door. Don't pay your bills, don't have a life either! Why? Because the bill collectors are going to visit... and send you certified post. And see you in court. And sell your TV to cover the costs for not paying your bills. That is some real fine integration and QoL.

Who the hell cares then? We surely won't! Absolute ignorance.

Would go as far as to wager that you waste at least CHF 460.- on other BS in a year. Please, just pay it - and not shiver, hiding in a corner each time the door bell rings. Then complain about it here, nobody's fault but your own.

About time you grew up and faced the real world - you sound like one of those australians who seem to think they know everything and are better then everyone.

These posts show why sometimes australians get a bad name and are considered ignorant. Australia used to have TV licensing the only reason they dont know is that the Television companies are paying it. The only problem I have with the Billag approach is how it is administered which is inefficient it should be included in the price of a TV, internet connection or rental of your home as a mandatory charge.

If you are setup as you say, then just show them the TV with no Cable connection then they should just go away and leave you alone.

Unfortunately that post demonstrates your ignorance. The ABC is funded centrally by the Federal government (i.e. by taxpayers). I remember the ABC pointing out in the late 1980s that the service only cost 8 cents per day (per head of population) -- apparently this was still true in 2008. And the ABC's quality and breadth of service (range and reach of programming) is far superior to Swiss TV and radio, IMHO, of course. At a cost per head of about one-fifth that of its Swiss counterpart.

Therefore you must pay the TV licence fee (Billag)

It is payable if you have any device whatsoever capable of receiving TV

It doesn't matter how often you watch, how often you switch it on, how often you plug it in, or anything like that.

If you have the capability to watch, you must pay.

Simple. That is the rule, and that is how it works. No excuses.

PS: it doesn't matter what rules you know and are familiar with from your home country. They do not apply in Switzerland.
It doesn't matter if you think the Billag rule is fair, justifiable or otherwise. It is the rule, the law, a tax, and you must pay it if you have any device capable of watching TV. Think of it as nothing more than another tax you must pay for the enjoyment of living and working in Switzerland.
Stop being a tax dodger, do your part and pay your share.

PPS: there is a way NOT to pay in your situation:
Do not own a smartpjone
Do not have an Internet connection
Do not use a TV as the video screen on your playstation. Use a monitor with no TV receiver
Then you can say you truly have no device that can receive TV, and you do not have to pay.

__________________
Warning: may contain traces of nuts.