Once the auctions are finalised for the new 800 Mhz spectrum which has been cleared by the analogue switch off, 4G mobile ultra fast data services will be rolled out from a transmitter near you.
Now whilst this will be very popular with those who use their mobiles and handheld devices for streaming TV and videos (and can afford to pay for it), it may well have dire consequences for TV reception in homes and blocks of flats adjacent to transmitter masts, or where the 4G transmitter is in line between their aerial and the TV transmitter mast.
The government and a service company comprising the main bidders for licences have allocated £180m to a fund, the purpose of which is to abate any problems as they arise. They estimate that approximately 2.5m homes may suffer from interference and the plan is to send them each a set back filter.
Having recently been to a seminar with Europe wide aerial equipment manufacturer Televes and carrying out simulations, it is clear that in cases where the 4G signals are very strong, TV reception will be impossible without fairly major rethinks on type of aerial fitted and any amplification involved, set back filters alone will probably not be sufficient.
The problem we in the aerial industry have, is that despite carrying out simulations, we cannot accurately predict how severe the interference will be and also how we can future proof systems against potential interference in the mean time.
1towatch along with our state of the art spectrum analysis equipment will be carrying a stock of passive filters, filtered masthead amplifiers and aerials designed to limit the affects of 4G, when they appear on the market, but as of this time, we may not be able to guarantee perfect reception until these masts are finally commissioned and onsite tests can be carried out.
At present we have little or no information on the launch dates for these services, but will update this blog when more information is forthcoming, we will of course be informing all current customers of the potential for interference.