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Originally back in the 1960’s the Ultra High Frequency electromagnetic spectrum for Analogue Television transmitters was 470 to 863 MHz. Since then Digital Terrestrial Television “Freeview”, known as DVB-T, has taken over which is now compressed into 470 to 699 MHz.

The remaining 700 to 863 MHz is progressively filling up with Telecommunications 5G receiver-transmitter masts for newer 5G mobile telephones and other fast data services.

Near me in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire in England in UK there are new 5G masts built and one existing mast has had its antenna arrays replaced. But there may be a problem that will slowly creep up on us still using Digital Television equipment.

I have a Freeview set top box Manhattan T1 and a Freeview recorder Panasonic DMR-BW880. When scanning for channels these equipments scan the whole of 470 to 863 MHz. They will log Digital Television signals of the DVB-T protocols and not log the protocols of 5G mobile. Because Television equipments are wide band receive they can still receive 5G mobile as unwanted noise signals which could overload the Television receiver.

Question:  How can we prevent 5G Mobile overloading existing Digital Television receiving equipments?

1A - Install a filter at the Television equipment antenna input. An example of this is a Labgear F5GA. It will pass the wanted 470 to 699 MHz but not pass the unwanted 5G mobile 700 to 863 MHz

or

1B - Install a new Television antenna with built in filter to pass the wanted 470 to 699 MHz but not pass the unwanted 5G mobile 700 to 863 MHz. At the same time replace the down lead of coaxial cable with new comprising a concentric shielding copper foil with an outer concentric flexible copper braid enclosed in a black concentric plastic sheath which resists ultra-violet in sunlight.

and must combine with

2 - Keep your 5G mobile phone away from your Television equipment.

Remember your 5G mobile phone is both a receiver and a transmitter in 700 to 863 MHz. In effect it produces an interfering localised signal to Television receivers. Even when you are not directly operating your 5G phone it is still periodically background communicating with a registered Cell on the receiver-transmitter mast. Also your smartphone software Apps are likely signalling out to collect Emails and collect Social Media updates.

Leave your thoughts in the comments!

  • The good old TV buz.  WE use to use that to tell us when there would be an incoming call as the TV would buzz before the phone rang!  When band 20 was introduced, there was a lot of mobile to TV modelling and analysis. (791-821 & 832-862 MHz) They even reversed the standard duplex to have the BS tx beside the TV.  There can  still interference and you can contact a company, jointly funded by the UK operators to request a TV filter. https://restoretv.uk (I have several) Then along came band 28 which is 703-748/758-803. There is a reduced implementation in the UK due to the band 20/band 28 overlap. Only 30 MHz with SDL etc.  This has standard duplex arrangements.  Both bands are FDD and carry LTE here. They can carry 5G.  old WB antennas on the TVs do not help.    Some bedtime reading from the Ofcom studies at this ofcom address.   www.ofcom.org.uk/.../

  • This IET site has just published an article titled "From Engineering to Executive: An engineer's journey to the C-Suite" by Philip Clayson.

    Under the paragraph "Evolutionary Change" in the fourth subparagraph, he mentions that he was the co-architect of the Freeview network.

    It might be an idea to contact him directly on your 5G interference problem.

    Peter Brooks 

    Palm Bay 

  • Or join the 5.3 million households who only use the Internet for Television, which would free up further spectrum for more suitable usage.

  • Looking to the Future of 5G!

    The new Starlink's "Direct to Cell" service uses 1910-1915 MHz and 1990-1995 MHz.

    This means that most T-Mobile phones should be able to receive the signal without any modification.

    Peter Brooks 

    Palm Bay