Internet/Cable/Telephone at J Residence?

[Friedokra]

Hi y'all,

I really enjoy reading the forums! Thanks for the great info.

I'm a newbie, and this is my first post. After a quick recon trip to HK, I decided to live in J Residence, and will be moving in August.

I am interested in having internet access, minimal TV, and perhaps a land line (although I'm considering Skype right now). My real estate agent sent me the following, and I'm wondering if the prices are unreasonable for internet, cable, and telephone. I understand that one could get cheaper deals on the street with the sales people, but I would like to hear your opinions and recommendations.

I use the internet for email and surfing, nothing special. I don't really watch TV except maybe for BBC. As for a land line...not really sure if I need it, except I'm a bit concerned with cell phone reception in the building.

I assume that internet set-up takes several days? Could someone give me an average length of time for this?

Also, are there J residents who use other isp, cable, etc? I'm not sure what the options are...

I'd greatly appreciate any advice.
Thank you!

Fried Okra


_______________________________



Dear Mr Fried Okra,
Please check the below information for installation of Residential Line, Broadband & Now TV services:
Installation address: J RESIDENCE, 60 JOHNSTON ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG
***Please confirm the application as soon as possible for the installation date for above address need 14 working days in advance
(A) For Residential Line services:

(1) Residential Line for 12 months contract: HK$110/month
- Installation fee HK$475(waived)
- 2nd & 3rd month rental fee waived
- Free 1 value-added feature out of 3 value-added features of Caller Display, Call Forwarding & Call Waiting during the term plan period
- The below numbers have been reserved for your selection
(I) 2861 xxxx
(II) 2866 xxxx
(III)2866 xxxx
(IV) 2866 xxxx

(B)For Broadband Services:
(1) 8M unlimited usage for 18/24 months contract with wired services: HK$246/month
- Installation fee HK$530(waived)
- Single User
- Bundle with 26 free-to-air Now TV channels
- 1xpre-set free channel as Channel 122 MGM
- 2xself select free channels
***Please select the free channels from the channel list & will install in a decorder set up on your TV for view
***If you require wireless services, there is a additional charges of HK$18/month for rental a "PCCW Wireless Modem" - Including 1 PC setup for wireless connection with router setup with no commitment(Not support MAC)


(C)For Now TV services:
(1) Standalone Now TV for "$488 Super Value Pack" for 18/24 months contract(autoroll): HK$488/month
- Installation fee HK$530(waived)
- DTT Decorder rental fee HK$12/month
- All Channels except all Adult Channels, India Channels, GMA Pinoy
TV channels & ESPN STAR Sports Cricket Channel
(2) Standalone Now TV for "$369 Special Pack" for 18/24 months contract(autoroll): HK$369/month
- Instalaltion fee HK$530(waived)
- DTT Decorder rental fee HK$12/month
Channel 111-116 HBO/Max Pak Premium
Channel 117 Star Movies Channel
Channel 209-214 Ultimate Discovery Pack
Channel 215-217 National Geographic Mega Pack
Channel 220, 221, 320, 529 & 447 The BBC 5
Channel 316-317 CNN Int/CNN Headline News Combo
Channel 319 CNBC
Channel 512 AXN
Channel 527 Asian Food Channel
Channel 528 Star World
Channel 555 Channel [V] Internatinoal
Channel 631-677 Mega Sports Pack

(3) Standalone Now TV with self-select channels for 18/24 months contract(autoroll): HK$184/month(Minmium spending must over HK$184/month)
- Installation fee HK$300
- DTT Decorder rental fee HK$12/month
- Please select your favour channels
***The installation fee only can waive for monthly spending over HK$368/month
***All Now TV channels cannot change after installation but can add new channels

***Term & Condition:
For Residential Line services: If customer terminate in the middle of contract, penalty will be charged as HK$110 of remaining contract(Minimum penalty HK$440)
For Broadband services: If customer terminate in the middle of contract, penalty will be charged as monthly fee of remaining contract
For Now TV services: If customer terminate in the middle of contract, penalty will be charged as monthly fee of remaining contract plus HK$530 installation fee

[KnowItAll]

Is this a seviced apartment?

Most if not all serviced apartments in HK offer built in cable / internet and phone.

The whole purpose of a serviced apartment is a short term lease.. and these guys are offering you 18/24 month contract which sound like Netvigator deals.

The street prices should be cheaper.

Weird.

[Friedokra]

Hi KIA,

Thanks for the reply.

No, it's not a serviced apartment, so I have to get long-term contracts.

Is there an ISP that you would recommend? I must say, all these options make it difficult to understand the plan. I've read through the contract multiple times, and it still befuddles me. Do you know if it takes a long time to get connected through the guys on the street?

Thanks,
Fried Okra

[jgu2008]

hey neighbor,
i just moved in as well...to the 37th floor. did you end up going with any of the above quoted contracts? i'm finding that it's quite confusing as well and would like to know what you ended up doing.

i'm leaning myself toward getting just the broadband internet package plus two channels....BUT, i went into the store and the shortest quoted contract was 24 months. what's your 18/24 contract mean? you only pay 18 for 24 total months?

also, they told me it would take 2 weeks to get a service guy there for installation! does that sound right to you?

TIA,
j.

Hi KIA,

Thanks for the reply.

No, it's not a serviced apartment, so I have to get long-term contracts.

Is there an ISP that you would recommend? I must say, all these options make it difficult to understand the plan. I've read through the contract multiple times, and it still befuddles me. Do you know if it takes a long time to get connected through the guys on the street?

Thanks,
Fried Okra

[Friedokra]

Hi J,

I have yet to order internet services...did you? My real estate agent told me that they do generally required 14 days for installation. Really not looking forward to this...

Good luck with your process!

[jgu2008]

I bit the bullet and ordered NowTV.

Unfortunately, the contract prices have gone up since what they quoted you...it's now $271 for the 8MB package + 3 free channels. (18 month contract)

They're coming in a week and a half and I'll finally be able to surf without going upstairs to the lounge or to the local Pacific Coffee!

J.

[chrisNwanchai]

How do you like NowTV? How is the broadband speed?

I'm moving in on the 38th floor this week and need to make the TV/internet decision soon.

[J and L]

Hi there,

I have lived on the 38th floor for quite a few months.

Currently, I am using IMx Netxigator and NxW BB TV.

Frankly speaking, if you cannot communicate fluently in cantonese, you'd better forget about those street sales. It might end up you two simply do not understand each other.

Using IMx is good since they have already had their network connected to the whole building. I suggest you call up 1833-833 which is IMx's customer service telephone number and tell them you want to subscribe to broadband internet and NxW Broadband tv.

Currently, I am paying HK$175 per month for NxW Broadband TV alone which enable me to view CNN, BBC World Service, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, Euronews, Sky News, TV5 Monde, all Discovery Channels, ...etc. As long as you do NOT choose those Football and sport channels and Indian language channels, your monthly subscription should not be too much.

Make sure you understand all the contract terms, eg length, early termination penalties, any rental charges on broadband modem and TV decoder. My current contract with NxW Broadband TV lasts for 18months and monthly rental on the decoder is waived.

Regarding cell phone reception, I myself do not find any problem within my apartment, except that you will not get any singnal inside the lifts.

There are computers in the Sky Lounge club house and in the Business Center. They are free of charge for residences like us.

If you have further queries, feel free to contact me at [email protected].

J and L