During recent weeks dozens of Islanders – mainly in the La Collette and Havre des Pas areas – have complained that their reception has either suffered interference or been blocked.
The problem is being caused because some of the signals for 4G – a superfast mobile phone network – are transmitted on a similar bandwidth to the Freeview television signal.
- Short for fourth generation, 4G networks provide wireless mobile broadband internet access.
- Generally faster than its predecessor 3G and can reach download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second
- Uses a technique to put more data onto the same amount of radio frequency to make it faster
- Allows smoother streaming and better video call technology suck as Skype and Facetime
And as the network is introduced across the Island by all operators, it is feared that thousands could eventually be affected by the disruption.
The Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities said that before the roll-out, JT, Sure and Airtel set up a fund to pay to supply reception filters which resolve the interference issues. This came after similar issues were experienced in the UK.
Any Islander suffering disruption is being urged to contact their mobile phone provider.
Dan Turner, the marketing manager at electronics retailer Fortuna, one of the companies who will be installing the filters, said that the problem is expected to worsen during the coming weeks.
‘JT have rolled out their 4G so there is some interference from their signal at the moment and I think there will be more when Airtel and Sure roll out theirs fully.
‘It is a problem which could potentially affect a lot of Islanders – possibly thousands of viewers,’ he said.
Mr Turner confirmed that he had received up to 100 complaints regarding the matter so far and expected St Helier, where there are heavier mobile phone masts, to be more severely affected by the problem.
JT, which were the first company in the Island to roll out 4G, said that the problem was an industry-wide issue.
However, Sure claim that interference is not being caused by their 4G network, which is almost fully installed, because they do not operate on the 800 megahertz bandwidth which is causing the problems.
Graham Hughes, chief executive of Sure Jersey, said: ‘We understand that a number of people in the La Collette and Havre des Pas areas of town have been experiencing interference with the signal received by their television’s set-top boxes.
‘There are a number of possible causes of this including electrical interference from other devices or wiring in the home. However, as these problems have been reported since 4G mobile networks have gone live, there is a possibility that the interference is caused by the signal from a new 4G mobile network.
‘Because Sure’s 4G signal is in the 1,800 megahertz band and those devices which are being affected use the 800 megahertz frequency, which is also used by other mobile operators for their 4G networks, we do not believe that the Sure 4G network is causing these problems.’
Michael Byrne, chief executive of CICRA, said that the operators were prepared for the problem.
‘The roll out of the 4G network involved use of the 800 megahertz band of the spectrum. This is close to the bandwidth that Freeview uses, so there may be some interference with that signal.
‘There is a very simple solution to the problem – a filter can be used to cure the interference. People should contact the mobile operators if they are getting interference.
‘The problem was known about in advance as the same issues have been experienced in the UK. This is all of the operators’ problem, which they have all agreed to address and are obliged to do so.’
Anybody who experiences interference with their television signal should contact their mobile operator.
What is 4G?
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone technology and follows on from 2G and 3G.
What can I expect from 4G?
4G services should make it much quicker to surf the web on your mobile, tablets and laptops.
For the typical user, download speeds will be at least twice as fast as the speed currently available on the existing 3G network.
Will the 3G data network change?
Yes for the better.
Currently we only have high speed 3G capable sites in Urban areas, such as in Town, however, as we install the new network, every site across the islands will have a high speed data capability.
In addition, the current 3G spectrum doesn’t travel very far due to the frequency it is transmitted on, but the new 3G sites will operate on a lower frequency, so it will travel further.
What are the benefits of the new network?
JT are installing a new Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced network, which is the latest version of LTE, also known as 4G.
Our new network is expandable and can be regularly upgraded to ensure we can take advantage of any new advancement in mobile technology, such as 5G as and when it becomes available.
Will 2G and 3G still work while you 4G is being installed?
During the installation you may experience a brief interruption when the equipment on individual masts changed.
Will I still need fixed broadband?
Yes, as the two services are designed to compliment one another.
For example, fixed broadband is more suitable for indoor use and larger devices such as Smart TV’s and games consoles.
Mobile data is designed for use on the move by smaller devices such as Smartphones and tablets.
For devices that are capable of picking up both 4G and Wi-Fi, your connection should be seamless wherever you are in the Island.
Will I be charged more for using the 4G network?
Unlike some UK operators who have charged a premium for the 4G service, we don’t have any plans to follow this trend.
How will this affect my service?
The new 4G network will be 100% faster than the quickest data speeds that are currently available.
Will I need a new handset?
If you would like to fully utilise the new 4G service, then you will need a 4G capable handset.
