Communal System Information

Communal TV and Satellite systems are managed by your housing association or factor.  In many cases this equipment is also owned by them. In many cases a communal system has been installed as the factor/landlord/housing association will not allow residents to put up their own dish(es) and they have invested in a communal sysrtem in order that you don't have to.   

The number of satellite points available, in communal systems, will be preset (in most cases one or two points (per plate)) and the available satellite points (feeds) are all that the Campbell & Kennedy engineer will be able to attach your satellite system to.  The engineer will not be able to attach the system to a 2nd point should one not be available on the connection plate in your home.  Requestes for extra points must go to your factor/landlord/housing association.

Even if Campbell & Kennedy installed the communal system to your block your factor/housing association is required to provide written confirmation, and purchase order (if required), to Campbell & Kennedy should they wish to instruct us to carry out any required repairs, amendments or upgrades to the system.

• Connecting to a communal system IS an ‘installation’.  An installation is regarded as setting up your satellite receiving equipment and does not necessarily require the fitting of a satellite dish to your property. The supply and fitting of a satellite dish is not necessarily part of a standard installation.
• Engineers can only connect to what is ALREADY in place.  If you have only 1 satellite point in your home then that is all the engineer can connect to.
• If you wish your own dish then this MUST be advised BEFORE the installation has taken place.
• However, should you request Campbell & Kennedy to supply and fit your own dish then YOU will need to find out if your factor/housing association will allow this.  Campbell & Kennedy are unable to do this on your behalf.
• In most cases a communal system has been put in place to prevent independent dishes being erected on the property.  It is YOUR responsibility to find out if you are allowed to site a dish and obtain any relevant authorisation(s).
• If you wish your own dish AFTER you have been installed you will be charged for the call out, heights/roof access (if required) and for the dish and cabling.

Many communal systems use a single, rather than dual, satellite point (1 feed) which can limit the functionality of your Sky+ / Sky + HD system. Both Sky+ and Sky+ HD utilise 2 Satellite feeds to allow the recording one channel while watching another, the first satellite feed is used to display the programme that you are watching and the second feed records the other programme to the Hard Disk. If you live in a building with a 1 feed communal system you will still be able to enjoy most of the benefits of Sky+ and Sky+ HD such as pausing live TV, recording programs that you are watching, recording programmes to be watched later and if you have an HD system and a High Definition Television you will still get all the benefits of a High Definition picture.

If you request Campbell & Kennedy to fit a second feed for your communal system then YOU MUST: -