Adopting 700MHz for Mobile May Force 160K UK Homes to Replace Aerials

The on-going effort to re-purpose the 700MHz radio spectrum band (currently used by UK Digital Terrestrial TV (DTTV) services) and make it available for use by Mobile Broadband (4G, 5G etc.) in time for 2020 (Q2) could force 100,000 – 160,000 UK households to replace their aerials.

Ofcom’s latest impact consultation (Call for Input) on the development suggests that the vast majority of consumers (14-20 million households) will be able to handle the change with a simple retune of their existing Freeview TV receiver equipment.

However the regulator’s latest research suggests that some will face a more significant challenge. For example, Ofcom predicts that 100,000 – 160,000 UK households may need to replace their aerials (expected to cost around £150 per home) and 40,000 – 110,000 households may have to re-point their aerials (i.e. make it point in a different direction) at a cost of around £50.

Apparently “a very small number of viewers may need to change TV platform” (e.g. switching away from terrestrial and adopting satellite or cable) and this could cost around £220 per home, although it’s not clear precisely how many could be required to take this course of action.

Back in 2014 Ofcom estimated that only between 105,000 and 110,000 households might need to replace their rooftop aerial. However they have since done more research on the real-world distribution and performance of different types of aerial, which has found that more homes could be impacted than originally thought.

It’s suggested that those most likely to need a full aerial replacement will live in the following transmitter areas: 1. Limavady, 2. Angus, 3. Selkirk, 4. Pontop Pike, 5. Winter Hill, 6. Carmel, 7. Huntshaw Cross, 8. Mendip, 9. Oxford, 10. Midhurst and 11. Dover; where TV services make the most use of the 700MHz band.

On top of that Ofcom has suggested that it would need to run an information and advice campaign in order to raise consumer awareness, which would cost around £2.5m to £5.5m.