*sigh* it's all been covered here before. Theoretically you need to register for Zattoo (free or not is immaterial) rather than just installing the app and watching TV without any registration/login.

But whatever. Can't be bothered to link *AGAIN* to the official Swiss federal documents on this. Got 300 CHF that you want to piss up against the wall, but without the hassle of enjoying it? Pay Billag for nothing.

But if you don't have Zattoo ...

You can still watch Swiss National TV online...

(FTFY)

But not RSI, which is what I normally watch.

Tom

Hi

I have searched through the numerous threads on Billag here, on this forum, but not yet found the answer to my question.

I moved here late September, and this is one of the many things my relocation agent failed to mention. Regarding Billag. I have a cablecom connection, and I assumed that the Billag is covered under that.

Am I wrong? Do I need to apply for a billag for this home I am renting?

I do not have radio, and don't have a car yet, so I assume that I don't need to pay for radio reception?

Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks!

No, Billag is separate from Cablecom. If you have an internet connection, you are able to watch tv and listen to the radio, so you are liable to pay Billag. You can try to avoid them, but in the end it's easier to just pay up, as they'll keep trying to find you.

This Billag thing is annoying but unless you have no TV and radio, you will have to pay it and in addition to Cablecom/Swisscom.

I understand how frustrating as I also do not watch any Swiss TV or radio and I am only interested in the English channels which I get over Cablecom and BBC Radio 4 via the internet.

As per previous post, just pay it.

Thanks!

Billag is not covered in cable costs -- you pay separately.

You can sign up here:
http://www.billag.ch/web.html

You are supposed to pay for TV and radio. As was explained to me by the friendly Billag extorter who appeared on my doorstep, if you have no physical radio but you have an internet connection you still are required to pay the radio licensing fee because you can listen to radio over the internet.

I'm about to give up correcting people, but one last time ... if you have an internet connection and no subscription to a TV service, you do NOT NEED TO PAY BILLAG. I wish people would stop saying this. It's like those "if you don't change your EU driving licence over in 12 months you'll need to redo your test" crap. Don't just say stuff because someone else on EF made it up earlier. Someone earlier posted the FEDERAL rules showing that you don't need to pay Billag if you only have internet (and no TV or radio subscription).

But now on to reality. If you have a Cablecom TV package, it will include TV and radio stations and you have to pay billag for both. It's like getting SKy or Virgin in the UK - you still need a TV licence.

As Cablecom include a basic TV package for free (well, in the service charge for the wall socket), it's not possible to only have internet from Cablecom. But if you do have Cablecom internet and no TV you can try to blag it.

However, most people do of course have and watch a TV, so you need to pay the 400-odd CHF a year. Where "need to" = "should".

Thanks, Adrian.

I'm not. I specifically mentioned this was what the Billag extortioner told me. Also, after he told me this I searched around on the internet and found this:

http://www.20min.ch/finance/news/story/30822807

Am I interpreting the article incorrectly? I read it as, as of at least April 2012, 'federal court says if you have internet connection and a device that can play TV and radio you should pay Billag.'

I'm not in the habit of taking anything at face value, I like to follow-up on things myself. For instance, I also share your frustration with the rampant misinformation about driver's licenses and the mythical "12 months" in Switzerland...however, I don't go around yelling at people about it.

The article states that to pay the TV part you need equipment, software and a TV subscription. To pay the radio part you need equipment and software. No subscription.

I guess it would be hard to show them a laptop which wasn't capable of connecting to and listening to a radio stream, but I'm sure you could firewall the ports and prove it that way. I'd just pay it though, rather than end up hiring technical experts, lawyers and going to court. But then I have a TV package, so it's all moot in my particular case.

Oh, and I find shouting very theraputic

The article states, and I summarise, that if you have an internet connection and a computer, you need to pay the radio portion of the fee.

If you have an internet TV service for which you have registered, or a TV, you need to pay the TV part as well.

You wrote: "You are supposed to pay for TV and radio.". That is not correct in all cases of people with an internet connection.

Or be registered for a TV service (which may, or may not have a subscription fee).

Semantically, can a subscription not be free? You're right. It doesn't have to involve money. So this would mean that creating a Zattoo account - pay Billag; watch Zattoo without creating an ID and - don't need to pay Billag*

* According to the letter if not the spirit of the law.

I just like arguing against paying the Billag :-)

If you can watch Zattoo without registering (can you do that?) then you don't need to pay Billag.

I like the Billag threads because most people get it wrong (but most people should be paying it so it doesn't matter).

Yes you can but you just have to put up with all the advertising. You can even record stuff and watch it later ( for a limited amount of time) using their free service. No need to register ever unless you want to.
Probably best not to have them bookmarked on the PC though.

What if the connection is sealed but have satellite... I guess billag fee is still applicable?

You can have a satellite dish but if you have no means to watch the decoded signal then you don't need Billag (TV part).