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Homes that lose their TV signal thanks to 4G network to receive up to £10,000 to be reconnected

Mobile phone operators fund £180 million scheme to help viewers affected by interference.


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Homes that lose their television signal thanks to interference from the 4G mobile network will receive up to £10,000 each to be reconnected.

It is thought that around 950,000 homes will suffer interference ranging from image distortion to the total loss of some channels as superfast broadband is rolled out.

Interference from the 4G signal is likely to be so severe for families living close to the base stations that filters distributed to homes will not be able to block the signal.

MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, has called for a delay to the national launch so that trials can be completed.

He told the Daily Mail: "One of my concerns is that the Government is making the filters available only for households primarily using digital terrestrial TV, and yet there will be a large number of additional households that have second sets and they will not receive filters.

"I have been informed that 38,500 households will still be affected after filter installation and that, of those, perhaps 18,000 will be primary digital terrestrial television households."

A £180 million 'help scheme', funded by mobile phone operators, has been promised by ministers.

Freeview users will be worst affected by the interference, since failing to switch to satellite or cable providers will leave them without access to normal television services.

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said that some 500 of the worst affected households unable to switch will receive up to £10,000 each to find an alternative solution.

The government has promised filters to homes in the affected areas that will block the 4G signal or £50 towards a professional refit, which will be paid for from the £180 million pool provided by mobile companies.

The areas likely to be worst hit identified by OfCom include those served by the Crystal Palace transmitter in London and the Winter Hill transmitter in Lancashire.





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