The amended procedure for reporting and removal of base stations interference to the television signal

If there is a problem obstructing the quality reception of the digital television signal, it should be reported to OiV. If the disturbance is found to be caused by the operation of the base station, the operator shall shut it down until the disturbance is remedied by itself.

ZAGREB, 30 August 2021 – The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) has passed the decision to remove interference in reception of the digital television signal. The solution represents an amendment to the already established procedure for removing interference in cases when base stations of mobile public communications network operators obstruct the reception of TV DVB-T2 signals.

The previous transition to digital television has replaced a part of the radio spectrum (694-862 MHz) that was previously used exclusively for television and it is now used for mobile communications networks. Since television receivers and antenna systems can be adapted to receive signals from the entire 470-862 MHz frequency band, the operation of base stations in certain situations may interfere with reception by the end user. In 2017, HAKOM adopted a decision setting out the obligations of operators in the notification and removal process as a result of the operation of base stations in the 790-862 MHz frequency band, but since on August 12 of this year licences were issued for the use of the 700 MHz frequency band (703-733/758-788 MHz) for mobile communications networks, the existing procedure was amended to include the operation of base stations in the 700 MHz frequency band. HAKOM will continue, within the limits of its powers prescribed by the Electronic Communications Act, to monitor the implementation of the procedure for removal of interference and use of radio spectrum in accordance with the issued licenses.

If users notice  the of digital terrestrial television reception and suspect that they are caused by the release into operation of the base station, the interference should be reported to the company Odašiljači  and Veze d.o.o. (OIV) through the customer support and interference reporting service (notification link). OIV receives all reports of interference from television viewers and then identifies the potential cause of interference (other causes besides the influence of base stations are possible). In case the disturbance is caused by the base station operation, the problem solving is under the obligation of mobile communication network operators, which are obliged to turn off the base station until the cause of the disturbance is finally resolved.

The HAKOM solution can be found on the following link.