Ofcom has said filters may be necessary to remove threat of interference between planned mobile phone services in the 800MHz band and digital TV delivered through a roof top aerial.
Ofcom plans to auction 800MHz spectrum, which is adjacent to the frequencies used for digital terrestrial television broadcasting, for 4G mobile services next year.
The telecoms regulator has set out proposals to ensure that digital TV delivered through a roof top aerial can function alongside the next generation of mobile services to be rolled out from 2013.
“Due to its proximity, in a small number of cases this could cause the signals from mobile basestations to interfere with set top boxes and digital televisions in the future. This could potentially affect up to 3% of DTT viewers if no measures were put in place to solve the problem,” said Ofcom.
According to the regulator, in some cases viewers will have to fit a filter to their TV aerial. These filters block the signals that interfere with TV reception and should solve most of the interference cases.
Ofcom proposes a scheme to give information and help to consumers. Further work is being carried out in conjunction with the Government on the level and nature of consumer support.
Ofcom proposes that the majority of the costs should be borne by the future 800 MHz licensees.
In a very small number of cases - less than 0.1% of DTT viewers - filters may not solve the problem.
Ofcom said it is considering a number of options to address the problem which may require some viewers to change platforms.
The consultation, which closes on 11 August.