Unitek Issues?

[idsclark]

I've been a long time troll here, trying to learn the business.

Have any of you noticed any changes since Unitek announced a fraudulent business segment? While it's not DirecTV related have you guys heard of any negative actions taken by DirecTV?

Do you think this is an opportunity for the smaller independent firms to swoop in and get some more business?

 

[Jimbo]

I've been a long time troll here, trying to learn the business.

Have any of you noticed any changes since Unitek announced a fraudulent business segment? While it's not DirecTV related have you guys heard of any negative actions taken by DirecTV?

Do you think this is an opportunity for the smaller independent firms to swoop in and get some more business?

Who is Unitek and how are they related to Sat TV, Directv in particular ?

 

[stardust3]

Unitek is a company that owns DirectSat a major home service provider for Directv. Other than that not real sure on the subject at hand.

 

[Jimbo]

Unitek is a company that owns DirectSat a major home service provider for Directv. Other than that not real sure on the subject at hand.

Thanks ...

 

[Joe Diamond]

Unitek is a company that owns DirectSat a major home service provider for Directv. Other than that not real sure on the subject at hand.

This is not recent news but Directv had been using DirectSatUSA as an HSP to pressure MASTEK to keep the numbers up. It was not uncommon for both to send techs into the same area. Installers took some dings from each......many left the business because of the choice of who to get the dings from.

Joe

 

[idsclark]

Thanks, those responses were helpful.

I should have done a better job referencing Unitek and what was going on. The issues were:
" it was determined that several employees of the Company's Pinnacle Wireless subsidiary engaged in fraudulent activities that resulted in improper revenue recognition."

Joe- You seem to know a lot about MASTEK and DirectSat. Is one better than the other for installations? If there is fraud at Unitek, would you expect DirecTV to come in and pull the HSP contract from DirectSat?

 

[Joe Diamond]

Thanks, those responses were helpful.

I should have done a better job referencing Unitek and what was going on. The issues were:
" it was determined that several employees of the Company's Pinnacle Wireless subsidiary engaged in fraudulent activities that resulted in improper revenue recognition."

Joe- You seem to know a lot about MASTEK and DirectSat. Is one better than the other for installations? If there is fraud at Unitek, would you expect DirecTV to come in and pull the HSP contract from DirectSat?

I'm just a former local, rural, installer. So I don't know much. Having been in communication with other installers nationwide I do wonder how Directv could not know about installer pay issues. I think Directv does want to purchase competent installation services. They contract with large Home Service Providers (HSPs) who subcontract the work even farther. It is at these lower levels that the theft, fraud and incompetence kicks in. Again, my own experiences are not proof but they guide me away from both of them.

Joe