Following an initial small-scale test in the West Midlands, and larger-scale tests in south east and west London to help understand the extent to which 4G at 800 MHz may disrupt Freeview, some 4G masts are being activated in Brighton in mid-May.

Approximately 80,000 household and business addresses in parts of Brighton are being contacted directly to alert them to the mast activation.

at800 is the organisation tasked with ensuring viewers continue to receive Freeview when 4G mobile services at 800 MHz are launched later this year. They are asking viewers in the area to report any problems experienced with television reception from mid-May. They will also have a team of professional aerial installers and units in the area that will respond to calls from viewers, visit addresses, report problems and restore Freeview.

Good news amidst endless gloomy media is always welcome respite and the CAI is pleased to report the Evolving Connectivity 2013 was so busy the start had to be delayed in order to allow the crowds in!

Tremendous good news was huge queues for the registration desk meant that to badge everyone saw the start of the talks put back 45 minutes in order to ensure no-one missed the keynote speakers!

Literally hundreds arrived at the NEC Pavilion just after 9am, re-assuring everyone involved that this was going to be a CAI event to remember - and possibly a ‘best ever’. A record pre-registered tally meant doors opened early to allow the huge queue at the door to make its way through the badging process. Inside visitors were greeted by some of the most extravagant stand builds the CAI has seen in its 35 year history.

Keynote speaker presentations can be found under the Evolving Connectivity 2013 folder in the downloads section or view the Evolving Connectivity 2013 web page.

Digital UK have announced for the Clearance event taking place on 29 May 2013 at OXFORD and WALTHAM serving much of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and parts of the East Midlands is less than one month away. If you install in area served by these transmitters are you ready? Oxford dependent relays are not affected by the changes but Waltham’s has some dependents that are.

The UHF clearance event taking place on 5 June 2013 at BEACON HILL, STOCKLAND HILL, CARADON HILL and REDRUTH serving parts of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall is one month away.

For more information on Clearance, please visit the Digital UK transmitter network site at: www.digitaluk.co.uk/clearanceengineering

For the latest complete list of Clearance events, please regularly check: www.digitaluk.co.uk/industry/clearanceevents

Remember to always use the Digital UK postcode checker at www.digitaluk.co.uk for the latest and most accurate information on Clearance to include dates, available services, transmitters, aerials and UHF channel allocations.

Following an initial small-scale test in the West Midlands, and a larger-scale test in south east London to help understand the extent to which 4G at 800 MHz may disrupt Freeview, a third pilot is being run from Monday 29 April in West London .

Approximately 50,000 household and business addresses in parts of Ealing, Hounslow and Richmond are being contacted directly to alert them to the test.

at800 is the organisation tasked with ensuring viewers continue to receive Freeview when 4G mobile services at 800 MHz are launched later this year. They are asking viewers in the area to report problems with television reception from Monday 29 April. They also have a team of professional aerial installers and testing units in the area that will respond to calls from viewers, visit addresses, report problems and restore Freeview.

Some 170,000 household and business addresses in parts of the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets are being contacted in the biggest test yet to determine the extent of 4G mobile broadband disruption to Freeview. 

The test follows successful pilots in the West Midlands last month, which showed the extent of interference was less than originally forecast. 

As well as the tests underway in the areas above at800 is holding a further test to help understand the extent to which 4G at 800 MHz may disrupt Freeview. Approximately 28,000 households in Brentford and Isleworth will be sent a free at800 filter ahead of the test, which begins on 29 April. This test will help at800 assess any problems viewers may have with fitting filters and whether receiving one in advance improves awareness and understanding of the potential issue.

If you operate in the London Boroughs of Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets and receive calls reporting problems with Freeview services from 15 April in postcode areas - E1, E1W, E98, SE1, SE10, SE11, SE13, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE26, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE8, it may be due to the testing. However, do not assume this to be the case. In the first pilot of 4G at 800 MHz more people had Freeview issues unrelated to 4G than those caused by the test.

If you believe 4G at 800 MHz may be the cause, ask the caller to report the problem to at800 on 0333 31 31 800*. They will be asked for the address and postcode of the property where a problem has been reported, the nature of the problem and the time it occurred. If you are responsible for solving a problem on behalf of a property owner, please call at800 directly.

Following the latest 4G Rollout seminar held on 4^th April, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) with support from the Digital TV Group (DTG), CAI and RDI will be hosting another follow up event to update the industry on key developments. The event will be led by DMSL’s Alan Mather.

Registration will take place at 10am. The seminar will be from 10.30-12.30 (followed by lunch) on Tuesday 7 May at the DTG offices, 5th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP.

For more information, the slides from the previous session and to register please visit: www.dtg.org.uk/4Grollout

Following on from the early March announcement that Eutelsat were forming a partnership with the CAI to train around 700 engineers, the CAI has successfully negotiated arrangements with venues around the UK to host the necessary free-of-charge practical workshop sessions integral to the Tooway™ accreditation. 

Please CLICK HERE to book yourself onto your chosen session.