Freeview viewers on the Isle of Wight will need to retune their TV equipment on Wednesday as airwaves are cleared for the roll-out of faster mobile broadband.
Technical changes at some local transmitters, affecting 46,000 homes across the Island and Salisbury, will free up frequencies for the future introduction of fourth-generation mobile services. Between now and the end of 2013, similar upgrades will be made at a number of transmitters across the UK to prepare for 4G.
TV services will be subject to disruption from midnight as channels including BBC One, BBC Two, ITV3 and QVC are moved to new frequencies.
Services from the Ventnor, Winterborne Stickland and Brighstone relay transmitters may by off-air or subject to breaks until mid afternoon on Wednesday. Once these resume, anyone missing channels should retune their TV or digital box to get them back.
Digital UK is launching an information campaign to make viewers aware of the need to retune, including local advertising and messages on screen.
David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, said: “It’s a good idea to retune your Freeview TV or box regularly to make sure your channel list is up to date. It usually only takes a few minutes but if anyone is unsure what to do, there’s plenty of information available on our website or from our advice line team.”
Viewers can check the TV services predicted to be available at their address both now and in the future by using the coverage checker at digitaluk.co.uk
Detailed advice on retuning is also available from Digital UK’s website and advice line.
• Website: digitaluk.co.uk/retuning
• Advice line: 08456 50 50 50
