Andrew Dismore

4G Hotspot Freeview disruption

Question No: 2597 / 2012

Andrew Dismore

What representations are you making in response to the reports that London will be a 4G hotspot and, that households will need to find over £200 for filters to continue with Freeview TV reception, and that in any event filters will not necessarily work and that satellite/cable would be needed?

Written response from the Mayor

I believe London will benefit massively from the rollout of 4G technology but it is important that the impact of this change does not have an unfair impact on the TV reception of Freeview customers. I understand this is why the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have established a £180 million national scheme to mitigate the impact of the changes on Freeview customers however (including free filter provision, assistance for people to switch to satellite or cable where filters will not work and extra support for vulnerable consumers).