4G at 800 MHz and terrestrial TV services. A guide for property managers

Transcription

1 4G at 800 MHz and terrestrial TV services A guide for property managers

2 A new generation of mobile telecommunications is being rolled out. Mobile operators are building 4G mobile networks across the UK over a new frequency: 800 MHz. 4G enables mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablet PCs to access the Internet at super-fast speeds. Both 4G mobile services and digital TV use parts of the radio spectrum that is, bands of frequencies to reach us. Certain Freeview services operate close to the 800 MHz frequency; because of this, 4G signals at the 800 MHz frequency might cause problems with receiving Freeview services. This could include blocky images, loss of sound, or a no signal message on the screen. at800 is the organisation tasked with ensuring viewers continue to receive TV channels on Freeview when 4G mobile services are launched at 800 MHz This guide is designed to help property managers, particularly those responsible for buildings with communal aerial systems, address the potential TV interference issues associated with 4G masts being activated. When and where is the rollout happening? As information becomes available, it will be published on our website Additional advice and support is available from our contact centre on * or **. Who is at800? Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), operating as at800, is the not-for-profit organisation funded by and representing the UK mobile operators with 800 MHz spectrum EE, Telefónica UK (O2), Three and Vodafone. It has been set up to ensure that all UK viewers continue to receive Freeview, or are offered a suitable alternative, when 4G at 800 MHz is activated in their area. 02

3 TV services in communal properties The lease, tenancy agreement or title deeds (in Scotland) will provide details about the rights, role and responsibilities of the owner, tenant or property manager of a flat or apartment, and the provision of TV services within the block and to a property. The approach to the provision of aerial services will often depend on the lease or location of the block: Some blocks have communal TV aerial systems. These are usually either a Master Antenna (MATV) or Integrated Reception System (IRS): MATV everyone gets digital terrestrial TV (DTT), Freeview through an aerial that serves all properties. irs this gives access to both DTT and satellite digital TV using an aerial and satellite dish. All properties are usually connected to it and it provides access to Freeview, Sky and Freesat. Residents can select their service from a range on offer. Some converted houses have a single aerial/satellite dish and the signal is split and delivered to each flat. Some freeholders/landlords do not want to get involved in the provision of TV services, so they let residents fit their own TV aerial or satellite dish. Other leases/tenancy agreements forbid installing individual aerials/satellite dishes, and permission won t be granted to do so. These are often in conservation areas or listed buildings. Residents in these properties may be dependent on set top aerials for their TV service. 03

4 Getting help from at800 at800 is writing to homes, organisations and businesses before 4G masts are switched on in their area. Viewers who are not responsible for their TV aerial, have received a postcard from at800 and experience new disruption to their Freeview services, are asked to call our contact centre. We will assess whether the disruption might be due to 4G at 800 MHz; for example, we will check whether a new mobile mast has recently been activated in their area. We will also ask them to both report the issue to, and provide us with the contact details of, their landlord, property manager, factor or residents association. We will aim to contact whoever we are told is responsible for the communal aerial so we can arrange to provide the appropriate communal or domestic filters, free of charge. We can also provide household filters for residents if necessary. Properties without Communal Aerial Systems Before masts go live in an area, households will be sent a postcard alerting them to the issue. They may also receive a filter. If fitting the filter does not solve the disruption, viewers need to let us know on or We can help sort out the problem by, for example, providing an alternative filter, or arranging for an installer to visit to fit a rooftop filter. Buildings could be affected by more than one mast. Masts will be activated at different times, in line with the mobile network operators individual rollout plans. Households will be contacted, and may receive reminders, during the roll-out programme. at800 will continue to support people with reception problems caused by 4G at 800 MHz up to one year after 98% of the UK population is able to received 4G services. 04

5 Register your property with at800 If you are responsible for properties with communal aerials in affected areas, you can register the details of the blocks you manage, together with the contact details of your aerial contractor, with our contact centre. You will need to arrange for your aerial contractor to fit the filter to the launch amplifier on the TV system. If you do not have a contracted or preferred aerial installer, or your contactor requires further assistance, please contact us to discuss your particular circumstances. If there are further problems after fitting the communal filter, we can provide filters for the residents to fit inside their flats. Check for more information. 05

6 What if the filter doesn t work? In most cases, a simple filter installed ahead of a distribution amplifier in a communal TV system will restore Freeview. If the communal and/or the domestic filter cannot fix the problem, and an acceptable level of TV reception is not restored, then call our contact centre. We can provide additional support and technical expertise. There is no charge for this service. The contact centre will need details about the property and the nature of the problem. We can send an installer to meet with your aerial contractor on site to check the filter is working correctly; provide advice on how to improve your TV reception and make recommendations about a different platform if needed. Landlords and property managers can find more property related information, including details about how to get communal aerial filters by visiting our website We would recommend that anyone with responsibility for buildings with communal aerial systems, contact their aerial contractors (who will be receiving information from their trade bodies) to see whether there are any implications for their properties or their residents. If you are responsible for a block of flats call us on or

7 Extra support for viewers who may need more help We work with the voluntary and community sector to ensure those who may struggle with this issue receive support and advice from people they know and trust. This includes the provision of a chaperone to accompany a visit from an at800-accredited installer, if required. You are eligible for this additional support if you: are 75 years of age or over; are registered blind or partially sighted; receive any of the following: personal independence payments (PIPs); disability living allowance; attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance; mobility supplement. 07

8 How to get in touch Call: Visit: Post: * or ** at800, PO Box 358, Birkenhead, CH25 *National local call rate. Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call packages and inclusive minutes. Outside of call packages, calls from landlines are typically charged between 2p and 10p per minute; calls from mobiles typically cost between 10p and 40p per minute. ** Free from landlines. Calls from mobiles vary in cost. Check with your operator. For call centre opening hours, visit Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited Registered Address: 83 Baker Street, London, W1U 6AG Registration Number: The at800 brand is a trademark of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL). DMSL has been formed by and represents the UK mobile operators with 800 MHz spectrum EE, Telefónica UK (O2), Three and Vodafone. PMB02