UnityMedia combined Internet/TV/phone service

Hi everyone,

So I've arrived in Frankfurt and I'm thinking about the so-called triple-play (internet/TV/phone) service from UnityMedia...similar to what I'm used to at home.

I'm wondering though:

(1) Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get this type of service installed? Obviously it can fluctuate, but a ballpark time estimate would help.

(2) I realize that the DSL hookup usually requires service through Deutsche Telekom (ie, if you buy Alice DSL, they must first coordinate through T-com). Does anyone know if it's the same situation for cable telephone service? If it makes a difference, I don't need to keep the old phoneline number attached to the number (ie, the one that was used by the previous tenant, that has since been disconnected). Frankly, the telephone service isn't a huge issue, but I need to include it to buy up to better internet speeds.

Also, any thoughts/experiences with cable internet/TV/phone service elsewhere in Germany is very appreciated!

1) I signed up with Unity back in the days when they were still iesy hessen. In my dotage my memory isn't what it used to be, but I think it only took a couple of weeks to get it set-up. Customer services rang up a couple of days after I signed up to set up an appointment for their engineer to call the following week. It could have been quicker, but they obviously picked me out as a foreigner and booked me in with their one engineer who spoke a little bit of English. Mind you, my apartment block was already fully cabled up with them, so all they had to do was flick a switch (metaphorically) to enable the line and the engineer's main job was to check the signal coming through.

2) You should be going through unity's cables. Telekom should not need to be involved.

HTH.