Virgin ready to pull plug on the dodgy digital TV viewers

TV BOSSES are to pull the plug on tens of thousands of dodgy digital viewers in the Capital by upgrading their security network.

Virgin Media has announced new encryption technology will be installed across Edinburgh to prevent unauthorised set-top boxes from accessing its service.

The media giant has refused to predict how many city homes are currently kitted out with hookey set-top boxes but one city expert suggests it could run into the tens of thousands.

Rick Bond, of Bond Electronics, which specialises in installing and servicing television systems in the Capital, said: "There is only one cable network in the city, installed years ago by Telewest as it was then, with EEC grants. That's how Virgin Media and I would estimate there are possibly hundreds of thousands of homes in Edinburgh using Virgin.

"Of these, I would say over 50 per cent are 'illegitimate' in large areas of the city, sourced from Sunday markets or online, so its a huge problem.

"A dodgy box would cost a one-off 99, but that's cheaper than the legitimate monthly subscription of between 20 and 50 depending on what channels you want.

"Some people pay a low basic subscription to Virgin but tap into luxury channels for free using a dodgy kit."

Only two court cases of people selling or modifying digital TV equipment have ever come to court in Scotland – neither in the Capital.

Updated TV smart cards are being sent out to all Virgin Media subscribers in a bid to disrupt unauthorised viewing of the company's channels.

The new cards will replace the existing cards and need to be inserted into the set-top box.

But it seems even legitimate subscribers could be affected. For if the card fails to be replaced many of the previously viewable channels will be blocked over the coming weeks until it will not be possible to watch TV at all.

Virgin Media claims to have the UK's most advanced TV on demand service and, with ten million customers in Britain, it is the second largest provider of pay TV in the UK.

But its encryption technology has been less sophisticated than its competitors in the satellite and broadband market, said Mr Bond.

Virgin Media is keen to point out to customers considering buying a rogue box that it will soon be a false economy.

Malcolm Davies, Virgin Media's head of fraud and security said: "I urge anyone considering buying a dodgy cable box or a knock-off TV card to think again.

"The new encryption we're introducing across Scotland this month will protect our existing customers and make it impossible for anyone else to get our services unless they pay for them legitimately. I know it's embarrassing for anyone who has already been misled and conned by these sellers, but if they contact us we will try to help."

Anyone who has been sold illegal cable TV equipment can call 0800 052 1255.

Anyone with information about those supplying such equipment can alternatively call a confidential hotline on 0800 096 7800.