HELP is available for residents in Cumnock and Doon Valley whose Freeview TV signal has been affected by the switch on of new 4G mobile services in the area.

Freeview and 4G are transmitted on similar frequencies and the new service may cause interference with TV signals received via an aerial.

Signs of interference include a loss of sound, pictures going blocky, the TV screen freezing or going blank or showing a ‘No Signal’ message.

Free help is on hand for households who rely on Freeview for their TV to resolve 4G related problems so that viewers in Cumnock and Doon Valley can continue to enjoy their favourite programmes.

Set-up under government direction, a company called at800 can help get Freeview services back to normal and they also offer extra support for the elderly and those that receive disability premiums (income support).

at800 CEO Ben Roome said: “We want to ensure that people know it’s our role to fix Freeview interference caused by 4G at 800 MHz, and that there’s no charge for our service.

“If you rely on Freeview for TV, we can arrange for one of our accredited engineers to visit homes to fix Freeview interference caused by 4G signals, free of charge.

“If you use Freeview alongside other TV services, we can send free filters which block mobile signals that are easy to fit to the aerial lead connecting to TVs and set-top boxes.”

Cable and satellite TV won’t be affected however, if cable and satellite viewers and also watch Freeview, at800 can provide free filters and advice, but not in-home engineer support.

People who live in communal properties can contact at800 but should also advise their landlords. at800 can provide free filters to landlords but property managers are responsible for the cost of fitting these.

at800 also offers extra support for people who are 75 years of age or older, are registered blind or partially sighted or receive any of the following benefits: personal independence payments (PIPs); attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Support.

With more 4G masts due to go live, any viewers who experience new interference to Freeview can contact at800 on 0808 13 13 800 or at www.at800.tv/contact-us