Two million UK DTT homes could be hit by 4G interference

Some 945,000 individual UK households that use signal amplifiers and a further 953,000 homes that use communal aerials could experience TV interference when 4G mobile networks are launched, according to a written parliamentary answer by culture minister Ed Vaizey.

Citing Ofcom’s second consultation on the co-existence of DTT services and new mobile services in the 800MHz band, Vaizey said that some 8,500 homes across the country could still be affected once a mix of consumer-based and “selective mobile network-based mitigation methods” are applied.

Under government proposals, companies that buy licences in the 800MHz range will have to contribute to a fund to buy filters for homes affected. The government committed in February to £180 million (€225 million) in funding to find solutions to the problem.