trade comment Time for another major change
Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd (CAI) senior executive Tim Jenks looks at the next major change to hit ‘Freeview’ households as more TV band is auctioned off to mobile providers
B
etween 2006 and 2013 saw an historic change for every TV viewing household across the British Isles when
our aerial transmission network changed from old analogue methodology to digital. The restriction of transmitting only five TV channels to roof top aerials disappeared and today some areas can scan over 100 services through the humble TV aerial perched on their roof. We had a hiccup in proceedings starting in 2014 when the top end of our TV transmission band (channels 60-69) was sold off to mobile phone operators in order to offer high speed broadband on smart phones. Some transmitters had to juggle essential services over to other frequencies and some households needed aerial attention – all paid for by the mobile operators. The next sacrifice of TV spectrum is about to descend. Channels 48 and above are about to be auctioned to the highest bidder in a quest for even more mobile coverage of broadband. The last frequency migration squashed channels into less space, this latest proposition means the capacity of aerials to cope with a frequency shift is diminished and it’s calculated that between 100,000 and 160,000 households could need new aerials to cope with re-allocation of their popular viewing
to the remaining channels within the UHF frequency spectrum. Consultations in the broadcast sector have been conducted but as with all number crunching on TV aerial installations there are more questions for every answer we come up with. Essentially, folks who survived the digital switchover (DSO) through 2006 and 2013 without changing their aerial may well now be forced to make amends if they find channels have disappeared even after a rescan. Wideband or broadband aerials were
advocated during DSO, in order to cope with all the juggling that was necessary throughout the closure of analogue and switch to digital. Some folk got away with the aerial they had in order to retune and view the most watched BBC, ITV and C4 offerings. Their aerials were actually ‘tuned’ to their local transmitter and installers selected the relevant aerial according to regional location and the frequencies coming out of the transmitter. There’s a good chance that where frequencies are lost this time an aerial change is necessary. What still isn’t decided is who is going to foot
the bill. During DSO every household in the UK was warned over a long period of time the switch was coming and it was down to the householder
to do something about it. Money was only allocated to the vulnerable or less well-off who could not afford to pay for new kit to go digital. This time many are making a change they
never asked for or wanted, but worse still there is no perceived benefit as could be sold with a DSO that promised better pictures and 50 or more channels instead of four or five. This time around a mobile operator wants to claim the frequency space your aerial was aimed at and you may not want what they are peddling. To ensure a smooth transition, the CAI will
be working with Digital UK (DUK) – the body that saw us all through DSO and is entrusted with this latest programme of change. Over the term of DSO, CAI members probably
oversaw the installation of between three to five million TV aerials, along with upwards of two and a half million households living in apartments using shared systems. In the grand scheme of things, 140,000 aerial service visits is no great shakes as the industry has plenty of capacity at the moment.
The debating and talk shops will flourish as we
have until 2020 to sort it all out. Keep your eyes open for more articles as the media latches on to a new tale about folk having to change their TV aerial!
Get together for the National Golf Championship 2016
The Electrical Industries Charity is calling for entries and sponsors for its Golf Championship 2016
T
he most anticipated National Golf Championship of the year in the electrical industry is fast
approaching. Don’t miss your chance to compete among the best golfers in the industry and showcase your business with sponsorship packages available. Teams who have already signed up include: Schneider Electric, Edmundson Electrical, City
Electrical Factors (CEF), Calon Energy, GDC Group, National Nuclear Laboratory and Wilts Electrical Wholesalers. Now it’s time for you to sign up too. The 4 Ball competition is taking place on
Thursday September 29 2016 at one of the most iconic golfing locations in the UK - the stunning championship Brabazon course, which is surrounded by 500 acres of countryside. Gain publicity for your business by choosing
from one of the available sponsorship packages; Dinner Sponsorship, Halfway House sponsorship or Golf Ball Sponsorship. Or why not sign up a team of four for only £1,049 which includes breakfast at registration, goodie bags, a day on the famous Brabazon Course followed by a drinks reception, three-course dinner and entertainment in the evening. Managing director Tessa Ogle said: “Golf continues to be one of the UK’s most popular corporate sports and provides a perfect
July/August 2016
opportunity for building business relationships in a relaxed environment away from the office while playing among the best golfers in the industry. With only three months left until one of the most prestigious golfing events in our industry now is the perfect time for businesses to book their place and help to raise funds for those who need help most.” Secure your place today and don’t miss the
opportunity to be at the best golfing event this year. For further details on sponsorship packages or to book your place, please contact Vicky Gray at
vicky.gray@
electricalcharity.org. More information on the work of the
Electrical Industries Charity can be found at
www.electricalcharity.org.
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