Filtronic aiming for contract for TV filters

Most mobile phone operators plan to launch their fourth generation (4G) mobile broadband networks next year when the Government auctions 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum, or airwaves.

The 800 Mhz band which was freed up when analogue TV was switched off but is next to the frequency used to broadcast digital TV, raising fears over interference with TV signals. Leeds-based Filtronic is working with communications watchdog Ofcom designing filters to prevent interference.

“When they turn on the LTE (4G) at 800Mhz it’s going to interfere with lots of people’s TVs – you won’t see a picture,” said Filtronic chief executive Alan Needle.

“We’ve been working with Ofcom trying to design filters that people will have to install to protect their TV sets.”

Government estimates 2.3m households could be affected, although says only about 900,000 of these rely on digital TV, with the rest linked to broadband, cable or satellite TV.

Mobile operators EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have set up a company, Digital Mobile Spectrum Ltd, to help solve the problem.

Government says most TV viewers will be able to solve any problems by fitting a filter, which it has set aside £180m for. “We’re quite excited by it. We’re talking several million filters,” said Mr Needle.