700 MHz Clearance Programme: The journey

About

The 700MHz Clearance Programme was a major infrastructure project mandated by UK Government marking the biggest change to the terrestrial TV network since digital switchover.

The project began in November 2014 when Ofcom announced its decision to reallocate part of the frequency spectrum used by Freeview for the development of future mobile services.

A similar process is currently taking place across Europe, as spectrum is reassigned to meet a predicted increase in demand for mobile data. As a result, Freeview channels occupying these airwaves were required to move to new frequencies.

Digital UK was responsible for delivery of the programme on behalf of UK broadcasters. Our role was to ensure required technical changes to the TV transmitter network were carried out on time while minimising disruption to viewers and the Freeview platform.

Starting in parts of Scotland during the summer of 2017, work was carried out region-by-region across the UK and completed in Kendal and the Isle of Man on 19 August 2020.

The successful delivery of such a large-scale project required close cooperation with Government and Ofcom, broadcasters and Arqiva, which owns and operates the transmitter network. We also worked in partnership with Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), Freeview and industry to support viewers through the process.

This map shows the start date for 700MHz clearance events at affected transmetter groups across the UK. Further events may have taken place at each group until Q3 2020.

This map shows the start date for 700MHz clearance events at affected transmetter groups across the UK. Further events may have taken place at each group until Q3 2020.

Updating the airwaves

Emley Moor Tower alongside the new temporary mast, built for 700MHz Clearance (photo: Arqiva).

A major nationwide engineering programme, 700MHz Clearance took place as a series of 57 staged ‘clearance events’.

Complex technical changes were carried out by engineers from Arqiva at more than 1,200 television transmitters, which serve more than 20m households.

This included the use of specialist helicopters to update some broadcast antennas and the building of a new temporary mast to operate alongside the iconic Emley Moor Tower in Yorkshire. Standing at 317m (1,040ft), this became the seventh tallest structure in Britain.

Viewers receiving Freeview channels were required to retune their TV equipment when changes at their local transmitter were completed. In a small number of cases, older aerials needed to be replaced for viewers to continue watching all available services due to the change in frequencies used.

Achievements

57 ‘clearance event’ dates

Changes across 14 TV regions

1,200+ transmitters updated

1.2M man-hours of work by Arqiva teams

317-metre temporary mast built at Emley Moor

17.8M Freeview homes affected

Watching Freeview Play

Three engineers working on a TV transmitter

Arqiva engineers at work (photo: Arqiva)

Arqiva engineer wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat with his back to the camera.

Arqiva engineer ( photo: Arqiva)

Arqiva engineers preparing for a helicopter take-off

Specialist helicopters used to build the new temporary mast alongside the iconic Emley Moor Tower (photo: Arqiva)

An aerial view looking up inside a group of TV transmitters against a blue sky.

TV Transmitters (photo: Arqiva)

Supporting viewers and industry

Members of the 700 MHz Clearance Programme Team, Digital UK

Members of the 700 MHz Clearance Programme Team, Digital UK

As part of managing the overall programme, Digital UK worked in close partnership with Freeview and Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) to provide support for viewers during these required changes.

While clearance was a national programme, for most it felt very much like a local event. A comprehensive information campaign was carried out ahead of updates in each area, including local advertising and on-screen messages broadcast directly to those home affected.

Viewer support

Freeview video guide to retuning

Details were also provided online through a dedicated TV Changes section of the Freeview website, including video guides to retuning and a retune checker allowing viewers to check for specific changes at their address.

Those in need of extra help with adjusting their TV equipment were supported by the Freeview Advice Line, which provided step-by-step guidance on retuning and reception via a free telephone number, email and webchat.

Free in-home assistance was available to support more vulnerable viewers and where issues with equipment were more complex, including aerial realignment or replacement where necessary. This was delivered by DMSL under a Code of Service agreed with Government, to ensure those relying on Freeview for their main TV service received the support needed.

In all, around one percent of affected households contacted the Freeview Advice Line for support during clearance, with most requiring simple advice on retuning their particular brand of TV, recorder or set-top box.

Industry support

DMSL installers provided in-home support for viewers (photo: Digital Mobile Spectrum Ltd)

DMSL installers provided in-home support for viewers (photo: Digital Mobile Spectrum Ltd)

To support industry through the required changes, including aerial installers, housing providers and retailers, Digital UK published regular updates and technical bulletins on the changes, working closely with Freeview, broadcasters and leading bodies such as the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) and Registered Digital Installer Licencing Body (RDI-LB).

Briefings were also provided to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to ensure its specialist contact centre staff and Technology Support Squad, which provides tech-related in-home assistance for those who are blind or partially sighted, were updated on the programme.