Email I received at work today about problems that may arise with Freeview TV services now that the new 4G mobile phone services are running in Enfield and I am presuming in Haringey

  Haringey CVS (HAVCO) has been awarded funding to carry out an awareness raising campaign regarding the problems that may arise with Freeview TV services now that the new 4G mobile phone services are running in Enfield.  Please see below information sent to EVA by HAVCO regarding this.  EVA is happy to promote this service,  as, because of staffing capacity,  EVA was not in a position to apply for the funding to carry out this piece of work on this occasion.

Do the people you support watch Freeview TV?   The arrival of new 4G mobile phone services in Enfield may cause problems with Freeview TV services such as loss of sound, blocky images or loss of some or all channels; and the people you support may turn to you for help and advice. Before 4G is switched on in an area, households that may be affected will get a postcard through the door. Some households will also receive an a filter - free of charge.  This connects between the TV aerial and the TV, set-top box or signal booster.  It is smaller than a pack of cards and in most cases will enable viewers to continue watching Freeview as normal.   In many cases, viewers will be able to connect the filters themselves.  However, there is extra support to those aged 75 or older, disabled,  blind or partially sighted and those who have lived in a care home for six months or more.   This includes a home visit scheme when a professional and DBS-checked engineer or volunteer will install the filter free of charge.   In a few cases, further work may be needed to fully restore Freeview services.  This work will be carried out and the viewer will not have to pay.

  How we can help  

Someone from HAVCO (the CVS in Haringey) can come along to meetings or events you have in Enfield where people aged 75 or older, disabled,  blind or partially sighted will be present and briefly explain how 4G may affect Freeview services and the help that is available. If you are having a meeting or event that older and/or disabled people will be attending in the next 2 months please contact Jayne Humm at jh@havcoharingey.org.uk or call Jayne on 020 8880 4084.