Initial results from LTE interference tests in the UK indicate that the impact from LTE signals on digital TV reception is much lower than originally anticipated.
Approximately 22,000 UK households were sent information prior to the tests requesting them to contact at800, a UK operator joint venture funded to overcome LTE interference issues, if they experienced digital TV reception problems, according to Mobile Today.
While at800 had forecast 120 households would see interference, only 15 out of the 22,000 had their digital TV reception disrupted by LTE, according to Mobile News.
More than 100 households in the test area called at800, and the problem locations then being visited by professional aerial installers and signal engineers from at800, the BBC and Ofcom.
The interference issues that could be attributed to LTE at 800 MHz were in TV receivers with signal amplifiers, either in communal blocks or domestic installations, where the amplifier was connected to the TV aerial. Installing an 800 MHz filter into the aerial resolved the issue.
The CEO of at800 Simon Beresford-Wylie told Mobile Today: "This was a useful, small-scale test. We'll now improve our forecast model and look at the approach we use to tackle the issues we've seen. Further extensive evaluation will occur during April and May as masts are switched on for tests across larger urban areas."
A second test will be conducted by at800 as the commercial rollout of LTE at 800 MHz continues, with the focus being to cover a larger number of urban households.
Separately, the Dutch ministry of economic affairs is investigating interference problems being experienced with GSM-R, according to Telecom Paper.
Dutch rail operators say that the latest issue of licences in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz spectrum, together with the further deployment of 3G and LTE networks, will cause disruption to GSM-R and will cost money to overcome.
The government said that it is pushing for a coordinated approach that will clarify where, on what scale and to what extent interference to the GSM-R signal can be expected
For more:
- see this Mobile Today article
- see this Mobile News article
- see this Telecom Paper article (sub. req.)
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