Cable companies in the Netherlands are claiming 4G wireless networks may be affecting their television broadcast signals.
Certain frequencies used by the fourth generation mobile network technology are also employed by television broadcasters to deliver content over cable, the Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation (NOS) said this week. There have been complaints in some cities about problems with both local and international channels.
Cable customers are reportedly being advised to get better insulated cables to reduce the potential of interference, which could get worse as 4G services expand to more areas of the country, NOS said.
The first 4G services were rolled out in the Netherlands in 2012.
As the wireless technology market continues to grow, interference between TV signals and wireless networks will only increase. In the UK last year, concern over a nationwide 4G network installation stemmed from initial reports that suggested up to 2.3 million homes with Freeview cable television service could be affected by interference, while in December customers of Time Warner Cable linked blurry, distorted television screens to nearby use of the Verizon LTE service.
