Ofcom launches consultation over 4G mobile phone interference

It has been announced that the UK’s communications regulator Ofcom has launched a consultation due to concerns over 4G mobile phones disrupting digital television signals.

It has been announced that the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched a consultation following concerns that the next generation of mobile phones could disrupt digital television signals when they are launched in 2013. It has been claimed that action needs to be taken by companies to reduce the risk of this happening.

Proposals have now been set out by Ofcom with regards to the measures that must be taken to stop 4G broadband signals interfering with television signals, which could end up costing providers a small fortune in terms of taking preventative measures. Ofcom wants to ensure that the two services will be able to run alongside one another without any problems.

It is claimed that if measures are not taken more than three quarters of a million homes in the UK could see the picture quality on their Freeview service reduced because of interference. Some may end up having to fit a filter to their television aerial to stop this from happening and in some cases mobile base stations will need to be changed.

The consultation that has been launched by Ofcom is set to close in August, and further information will be released in the autumn. Whilst the spectrum enabling providers to offer 4G services will be auctioned off next year officials have said that it is likely to be 2013 before the first 4G handsets are made available. However, the 800MHz frequency that is to be auctioned for 4G is thought to be too similar to the one used for digital terrestrial television broadcasting, which is why interference may be experienced.

Source – Independent