DirecTV reception Equipment

[streak]

Hello from South Africa.
We have one major satellite service provider in the country.

All they do is supply the uplink, receivers, SMS, content etc.
It's then up to wholesalers/importers to supply the dishes, LNB's, cabling etc. directly to retailers and installers.

Does DirectTV operate on the same basis or do they control the supply of the receivers plus all of the rest of the reception equipment as well?
Thanks
Streak

 

[jdspencer]

Are you asking if DirecTV offers service in South Africa? if so, then no.

If you are just asking how DirecTV does business, then they do it all (except content). However, you can buy the equipment elsewhere and then activate it with DirecTV.

 

[streak]

Many thanks for the reply.

No I am not looking to receive Directv here.
I just wanted to understand how they do business.

Does all of the equipment (dish, LNB) have to be Directv approved and if so does Directv supply the retail outlets or do the approved Directv manufacturers/suppliers supply the retail outlets themselves?

Typically if you call Directv to subscribe, does the monthly fee they charge you include the supply and installation of the dish, LNB, receiver etc.
If you buy the equipment elsewhere the who does the installation?
If you do a DIY install does your monthely fee to Directv change?

 

[jdspencer]

If you go through DirecTV, all equipment needed is supplied by them with the installation contracted to a company in the area. They will charge a discounted cost for the equipment (which is considered to be leased), and requires a 1 or 2 tear commitment to a basic level of programming. Besides the programming subscription, there is also other fees depending on what equipment you have. For example, a DVR has an extra cost of $5.99/month. Additional receivers have a mirroring fee of $4.99/month.

Now days, even getting new equipment from a retailer it is subsidized and thus leased. You can then contract with an installation company. There is no benefit from the monthly fees with a DIY install.