High speed mobile services may reduce the quality of digital TV reception, making it unwatchable for some, according to new research in the UK.
As Australia prepares its plans for a 4G LTE wireless network in regional and rural Australia, research conducted in the UK by communications watchdog Ofcom, says new mobile networks involving fourth generation (4G) mobile could cause intereference in set top boxes and digital TV, which could be addressed by filters for some, yet could force other TV viewers into having to get signals using other means.
About 3 percent of viewers in the UK could potentially be affected by the interference, said to relate to the spectrum used.
The telecoms regulator started the research programme to find out how to help people affected when the 4G technology is switched on.
It is thought the intereference will arise because the particular spectrum reserved for 4G, 800mhz spectrum, sits next to that used for broadcasting digital TV signals.
4G services in the UK are expected to be rolled out next year, bringing faster download and browsing speeds for handsets.
