1) The activation free is to active the IRD/SC to work with UBI once the encryption is started. You need to use a UBI-compatible STU which is either the TARBS STU or the new UBI ones which will be ready soon.<br /><br />2) The new UBI STUs are from the same company that supplied the TARBS STU "MDS".<br /><br />3) You can only speak to Tech Support if you're a UBI subscriber.<br /><br />I hope this will answer your questions.