NEW 4G services in Bournemouth and Poole could disrupt Freeview TV for householders in the area, residents have been told.

The warning has been issued by not-for-profit organisation, at800, who says the new masts could disrupt some Freeview TV received through an aerial.

And nearly 600 calls have already been made from residents in the area.

Because some 4G signals operate at 800MHz; adjacent to frequencies used by Freeview, TVs and set-top boxemay suffer a loss of sound, blocky images or loss of some or all channels.

Ben Roome, CEO of at800 said: "New 4G mobile masts are bringing mobile broadband to Bournemouth and Poole, but they do have the potential to disrupt TV reception for some households.

“We're already helping viewers in the area and continue to offer support. We want to ensure that people know it's our role to fix any disruption to Freeview due to 4G at 800 MHz and that there's no charge for our support."

To date, at800 has dealt with 588 calls from Poole and Bournemouth viewers and is already arranging for its installers to visit households.

With more 4G masts due to go live, any viewers who experience new disruption to Freeview should contact at800 on 0333 31 31 800, 0808 13 13 800 or via at800.tv.

If a viewer lives in a house with its own aerial, does not have satellite or cable television and 4G at 800 MHz is diagnosed as causing disruption to Freeview, at800 will restore their television service to its previous quality.

An accredited installer will visit the viewer's home, check the cause and fit an approved filter to the TV system, at no cost to the viewer. In most cases, disruption will be fixed by an at800 filter.

For more information, visit at800.tv.