INDUSTRY BRIEFING From Digital UK, the organisation leading technical co-ordination of the 700MHz clearance programme June 2017 Updated: 10 August 2017 Upcoming changes to transmitters in the STV region The UHF channels used to broadcast some DTT multiplexes at certain transmitters in the STV region will be changing from 26 July 2017. These changes are part of work being carried out for the 700MHz clearance programme. How will this affect viewers? Freeview viewers receiving their signal from a transmitter in one of the groups listed below may need to retune to continue receiving some TV programmes and radio services. Other platforms that use terrestrial TV, such as YouView, BT TV and TalkTalk, will also be affected. Most aerials are expected to be capable of receiving a reliable signal following the changes. However, some group C/D aerials may need to be updated. A wideband model is generally recommended. Help for viewers with reception issues will be available (see overleaf). Full details of the affected transmitters, multiplexes, frequencies and aerial group changes are listed at the end of this briefing. Transmitter group Area served Retune date Bressay The Shetland Islands 26 July 2017 Knockmore Morayshire, Strathspey and parts of Easter Ross 23 August 2017 Rumster Forest Caithness and North Sutherland 23 August 2017 Rosemarkie Inverness and the Great Glen 6 September 2017 Eitshal Lewis, Wester Ross, north west Sutherland and parts of 20 September 2017 Harris and Skye Skriaig Skye, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and parts 20 September 2017 of Barra Torosay The south west Highlands and Islands 4 October 2017 Why is clearance happening? The 700MHz band is being cleared for future mobile broadband services, following a decision by Ofcom in November 2014. Freeview services currently using frequencies in this band are being moved to new UHF channels. Transmitters across the UK are being updated as part of a major engineering programme being carried out between now and 2020. The dates and details of changes to other transmitters in the STV region will be announced in due course and published online at www.digitaluk.co.uk/clearance
When are the changes taking place? Engineering work will take place on the dates above and services will be subject to disruption during this time. Work is expected to be completed by late afternoon. Viewers can retune at any point once work is completed and approximate timings for each transmitter will be available on Digital UK website during each event. Checklist for installers If you work with landlords or property managers/factors in these areas, please advise them of these changes (including housing offices, hotels and care homes). Channelised distribution systems receiving a signal from one of the transmitters changing may need to be adjusted. Viewers unable to restore those services affected after a retune as a result of this change can get help from a TV aerial support team (See below). In the first instance, all viewers should be directed to freephone 0808 1000 288. Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited is responsible for the TV aerial support team. Further support Free information and support will be available for this retune. Information will be available on the Freeview website at freeview.co.uk/tvchanges and advice as well as support can be accessed from the Freeview Advice Line on freephone 0808 1000 288. These will be operational from 12 July. Please direct viewers to this number for initial support. An information campaign to help prepare viewers, including local advertising and on-screen messages, will begin in each area approximately two weeks ahead of these changes. A full listing of the current channels on Freeview is available at digitaluk.co.uk/channels Technical information on transmitters is available from the detailed view of the Digital UK coverage checker (digitaluk.co.uk/coveragechecker). You can also use our planned engineering works page (digitaluk.co.uk/engineeringworks) to keep up-to-date and check for any changes. General trade information on the 700MHz clearance programme is available at digitaluk.co.uk/clearance
Changes denoted by light red background: X 26 July 2017 The BRESSAY transmitter group, serving the Shetland Islands Baltasound B B 46-43- 50 46-43- 40 Scalloway CD A 50 59 55 32 34 35 Swinister CD A 50 59 55 32 34 35 Voe CD B 57 60 53 41 44 47
Weisdale CD Wideband 58 49 54 33 36 48 23 August 2017 The KNOCKMORE transmitter group, serving Morayshire, Strathspey and part of Easter Ross Knockmore PSB1 (BBCA) PSB2 (D3&4) PSB 3 (BBCB) COM 4 (SDN) COM5 (ARQA) COM 6 (ARQB) Wideband Wideband 26 23 29 53 57 60-31 37 29 33 36 48 Avoch CD A 58 54 49 32 34 35 Balblair Wood CD A 50 59 55 32 34 35
Craigellachie CD B 58 49 54 40 43 46 23 August 2017 The RUMSTER FOREST transmitter group, serving Caithness and North Sutherland Rumster Forest PSB1 (BBCA) PSB2 (D3&4) PSB 3 (BBCB) COM 4 (SDN) COM 5 (ARQA) COM 6 (ARQB) Wideband Wideband 27 24 21+ 30-59 55 27 24 21+ 32 34 35 Ben Tongue B B 45 49 42 45 39 42 Durness CD B 57 53 60 41 44 47
Thurso CD B 57 60 53 41 44 47 6 September 2017 The ROSEMARKIE transmitter group, serving Inverness and the Great Glen Fodderty CD B 58 49 54 41 44 47 Inverness CD A 50 55 59 29 31 37 20 September 2017 The EITSHAL transmitter group, serving Lewis, Wester Ross, North West Sutherland and parts of Harris and Skye Badachro B B 46 43 50 46 43 40
Kinlochbervie HP & VP B B 46 43 50 46 43 40 Lochinver B B 46 43 50 46 43 40 Staffin B B 45 49 42 45 39 42 Ullapool B B 45 49 42 45 39 42
20 September 2017 The SKRIAIG transmitter group, serving Skye, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and part of Barra Daliburgh CD B 60 57 53 39 42 45 Inverarish B B 46 43 50 46 43 40 Kilbride South Uist B A 39 45 42 32 34 35 Penifiler B B 45 49 42 45 39 42
Scoval HP & VP CD B 50 59 55 40 43 46 Tarbert Harris B A 45 39 42 32 34 35 4 October 2017 The TOROSAY transmitter group, serving South West Highlands and Islands Torosay PSB1 (BBCA) PSB2 (D3&4) PSB 3 (BBCB) COM 4 (SDN) COM5 (ARQA) COM 6 (ARQB) A A 28 25 22 23 26 29 28 25 22 23 26 30 Acharacle B B 46 43 50 46 43 40
Arisaig A A 26 23 29 26 23 30 Ballachulish A A 23 29 26 23 30 26 Bellanoch B B 45 42 49 41 44 47 Cow Hill B B 46 43 50 46 43 40 Fiunary B B 46 43 50 46 43 40
Glengorm B A 44+ 41+ 47+ 29 31 37 Kilmelford CD A 50 59 55 29 31 37 Kinlochleven CD A 59 55 50 29 31 37 Loch Feochan CD A 54 49 58 32 34 35 Mallaig B B 46-43- 50 46-43- 40
Onich HP & VP CD A 49 54 58 32 34 35 Strontain B B 39 45 42 39 45 42 Power change: the ERP will change from 3W to 6W for all multiplexes Taynuilt B B 46 43 50 46 43 40 Tayvallich B B 46 43 50 46 43 40