Been missing the Digital Switchover? Good news! There is going to be another
I must admit that I have been occasionally called to task to when I posted here on UK Free TV some possible changes to the Freeview transmission frequencies for around 2018. It does rather seem as if this warning was as accurate as it was well intentioned.
The "700" band.
Going back to the May 2012, I introduced Ofcom channel bingo II - introducing the bands.
At DSO the "800MHz" band, the old C61-C69 was given over to 4G services. At the moment, the "600MHz" band is used for the interim Freeview HD channels, and the "700MHz" for Freeview.
What the plans now approved by Ofcom commit to, is to removing the "700MHz" band – C49 to C60 and auctioning it to the 4G mobile broadband networks.
"These international developments are important because mobile spectrum needs to be used internationally to provide the economies of scale required to ensure a wide availability of devices at reasonable cost." … "EU states to … make the 700 MHz band available for mobile data use by no later than 2022" [1]
What does this mean for the viewer?
In the end, it should mean more-or-less the same Freeview service for most homes.
One thing is certain, and that is Ofcom "will not seek to ensure the continued delivery of the interim multiplex", so that will be the end of the extra Freeview HD services.
Because there will be a need to provide the same TV services in less broadcast frequencies there may be some knock-on effects. This MAY include moving the COM multiplexes to DVB-T2 transmission, so they will only work with Freeview HD boxes.
The change in frequencies may also need some homes to change their aerials (to wideband, if they don't have them) and very tiny number may need the "4G" filters.
Timescales
Looking at the Arqiva indicative timescales [2]
It would seem that switchover events might take place in 2018.
Will this be the last change?
"The report also recommended that the 470 MHz -694 MHz band continue to be reserved for terrestrial broadcasting and PMSE until 2030" so it could be that there will be more changes in the coming decade.
What does this mean for the broadcasters?
The following diagram shows how the main Freeview masts operate.
The preferred plan that Ofcom has indicated is the Arqiva "Reduced Scope’ Solution (RSS) plan.
This will mean that some reduction in DTT power output levels will be acceptable whilst the services are moved to the reserve (in the sense of a "backup") outputs. Whilst the reserve is in use the primary systems will be change to operate on the new frequency allocations.
Once the national "clearance event" happens, the backup transmitters will be change to work on the new frequencies. The obvious issue here is that the DTT system will be running without a backup – at least from some masts for some time.
Keeping the backup systems in place would require the provision of up to 21 temporary masts. Given that the whole network of transmitters is still less than a decade old, it might be reasonable to think that the system will operate OK without the backups.
[1] Ofcom - Decision to make the 700 MHz band available for mobile data – statement - 19 November 2014
[2] 700MHz High Level Estimate Single Hop & PSB MFN/COM SFN Plans - Arqiva Limited, May 2014
found some interesting info in 2015 there be a decision with EU what standard UHD DVB be
heres the link
4K TV and Ultra HD: Everything you need to know | News | TechRadar
need UHD STB for the new sets brought today as the UHD tuner is not yet fitted.....
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8:42 AM
The proposed "improvements" will not improve the Freeview service: quite the opposite. Once more, viewer's intersts come second to business interest, and since changes cost money, it won't only be the users of the new services that pay: Freeview viewers will also end up paying more through the need for new equipment.
Changes cause disruption and inconvenience for those unable or unwilling to switch to other services from Freeview, but it's the Freeview viewer, and the services the rely on, that will be affected when the changes are made.
When we were "sold" the ides of Freeview, it was hyped as a free service for life which would bring more channels and more choice... but that claim rings hollow now that the regulators intend to reduce the spectrum available for Freeview.
Freeview was a leap forward into the exciting digital age; away from the old analogue channels and millions of viewers bought into the new service by buying expensive equipment. Do we get a refund for our existing equipment when we have to buy more new equipment in order to watch the service we already bought into?
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Vic: " it was hyped as a free service for life"
I would be very interested if you could please provide a link for that assertion?
However, as far as I can tell, when the 700MHz band is cleared, the corporations getting the new bands for 4G will have to fund new TV aerials for those places where they are required, as well as the (tiny number of) 4G co-band interference (as with 4Gat800).
Worth remembering that under the tax system (for example) capital hardware is written off after three years. The changes are not going to mean new receiver equipment, certainly not for the PSB channels, and as I said wideband aerials will be funded.
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8:32 AM
So what happens to Viewers that's on Channel group C/D moving it to B or A will cause alot of problems and CO-Channel interference between transmitters.... why the Government leave things alone... all they are interested in making money of selling public assets.....
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