For several decades, collective TV networks have been a fixture in many co-owned properties (PPE) in Villars-sur-Ollon. Practical and unobtrusive, these systems are now showing their limits in the face of technological change. Gerance Service takes stock of the situation and looks ahead.

A Historic Infrastructure Under Pressure

Since the 1970s, many PPE buildings in Villars have been equipped with inter-building TV networks, distributing television channels via coaxial cables connected to centralised satellite dishes on select rooftops. This system served residents well for decades, thanks to its ease of use and relatively low operating costs.

It also helped preserve the visual character of the resort by avoiding a proliferation of satellite dishes on facades and balconies. This approach reflected the vision of Alfredo Ernand, a pioneer in Villars real estate development, who placed great importance on keeping technical infrastructure discreet. The Domaine de la Residence remains one of the few areas of the resort where utility networks and technical equipment are almost entirely out of sight.

However, this technology relies on ageing equipment, some of which is no longer manufactured. Maintaining these installations has become increasingly difficult — not only due to hardware deterioration, but also because TV operators regularly update their broadcasting standards.

This is precisely what happened recently with the French channels on the Fransat bouquet. The operator updated its encryption system, rendering the equipment installed in some of our buildings incompatible with the new standard.

 

For affected buildings: Reception of French channels has been interrupted or is only partially available. A technical fix is possible through the replacement of specific modules in the reception cabinets. However, these interventions cost approximately CHF 1,450 per installation and require components that are increasingly difficult to source.

 

This situation perfectly illustrates the growing challenges of maintaining these legacy systems. Technology moves on, while equipment installed decades ago is steadily reaching its technical limits.

Why Gerance Service Cannot Intervene

We kindly ask that you do not contact Gerance Service regarding TV channel tuning or signal troubleshooting on private televisions. Our role is property management, not telecommunications.

Where building equipment allows, running an automatic channel search on your TV set may sometimes be sufficient to restore certain programmes after a frequency or broadcast parameter update.

🔧 Need technical assistance? We recommend contacting Aegerter in Aigle directly — a recognised specialist in this field and a long-standing partner for many installations in the region. As with any professional service, their interventions are chargeable.

 

Preparing for the Future

Since 2026, the development of digital infrastructure across the buildings we manage has opened new possibilities. We have initiated discussions with SEIC-Genedis to explore modern solutions for TV and multimedia distribution.

Any such changes will naturally need to be discussed and approved by co-owners at the relevant general meetings.

The current system still has certain merits: it remains straightforward to use and relatively cost-effective. It would therefore be premature to abandon it immediately. That said, it now appears increasingly likely that, over the next ten years, a gradual transition to data network-based and connected application solutions will become unavoidable.

Our goal is for co-owners to eventually benefit from a modern, user-friendly service with a single point of contact for installation, support, and after-sales care.

An Ageing Infrastructure

It is also worth noting that the coaxial cables and much of the copper wiring in some buildings date back to their original construction.

During renovations or modifications to individual apartments, it is not uncommon for disruptions to affect the entire shared network. In some older configurations, a fault in a single private socket can impact TV reception across several units — or even the whole building.

Let us make the most of this system while it continues to serve many properties. At the same time, let us calmly prepare the transition to solutions that are more modern, more reliable, and better suited to the way we live today.

 

Have questions about your property or co-ownership? -> Contact us at gerance-service.ch/contact