Market Drayton TV viewers warned of 4G menace

Residents in Market Drayton who previously struggled with poor phone signal and broadband speed can now access faster 4G mobile internet access.

The masts were recently installed in the town and the company at800 said this may cause interference to Freeview services.

The company said this happens because 4G signals sit next to the 800 MHz frequency used by Freeview, and could cause a blocky picture or even a 'no signal' message.

at800 is the company set-up under government direction to provide free support to resolve any interference caused by 4G signals for households reliant on Freeview TV.

Signs of interference are loss of sound, pictures going blocky, freezing or the TV screen going blank or showing a 'no signal' message.

Ben Roome, CEO of at800, said: “We want to ensure that people know it is our role to fix Freeview interference caused by 4G at 800 MHz, and that there is no charge for our service.

“If you rely on Freeview for TV, we can arrange for one of our accredited engineers to visit homes to fix Freeview interference caused by 4G signals, free of charge.

"If you use Freeview alongside other TV services, we can send free filters which block mobile signals that are easy to fit to the aerial lead connecting to TVs and set-top boxes.”

Cable and satellite TV, like Sky or Virgin, will not be affected.

However, if viewers have cable and satellite TV and also watch Freeview, at800 can provide free filters and advice, but not in-home engineer support.

People who live in communal properties should contact at800 and also advise their landlords. at800 can provide free filters to landlords but property managers are responsible for the cost of fitting these.

at800 also offers extra support for people who aged 75 or older, are registered blind or partially sighted or receive any of the following benefits: personal independence payments (PIPs); attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Support.

For more information, go to at800.tv or call 0808 1313 800.

A spokesman for EE said: “We recently upgraded our sites in Market Drayton to 4G to give our customers in the area access to the UK’s fastest mobile network.

“With 4G in more places than any other provider, our customers can do more with their smartphones and stay connected wherever they go.”

Derek McManus, chief operating officer at Telefónica UK said: “O2 customers in Market Drayton can now experience faster mobile internet on their devices such as streaming high definition TV, shopping on the go and video calling.

“For our business customers, 4G is all about working more effectively. For instance, they can work remotely, access cloud services and collaborate using apps. O2 4G can make everything easier for our customers.”