Dozens of Borth residents have lost a range of TV channels after television frequencies were sold off to mobile phone companies for upcoming 5G services.

Problems started when the Dôl-y-bont relay station, which many residents receive their signals from, underwent changes which led to a variety of Freeview channels such as Quest, Drama and Yesterday no longer being available.

A Freeview spokesperson admitted there could be problems with householders receiving some channels, but said that they should be able to access the channels if they get a new aerial.

James Davies, a Borth resident, said a large number of people had been hit, losing channels that had previously been available.

He said: “Villagers who had previously received their TV signals from the Preseli TV transmitter have found after recent changes at the local Dol-y-Bont relay station that it is now jamming some of the signals from Preseli. The change in frequencies have obliterated many of the channels received.

“This has come about because of a government decision to sell off some of the radio spectrum frequencies used for television transmission to the mobile phone companies to use for the new 5G services.

“The consequence of the reducing number of frequencies available is that TV transmitters are having to share frequencies more and more.

“Having previously received a large number of channels such as Yesterday, Drama, Quest and a number of free movie channels villagers are now confined to a basic set of BBC, ITV and S4C amongst a few others.”

A Freeview spokesperson said: “While every effort has been made to maintain existing coverage, unfortunately it is possible that some Freeview viewers receiving their TV signal from the Preseli transmitter in Carmarthenshire may find they can no longer receive some commercial channels reliably.

“Where there is the case, viewers should be able to receive an alternative service, but may need a new aerial."These changes have been required by Government as part of a major UK-wide engineering programme to free-up airwaves for the future launch of new mobile broadband services. Anyone experiencing reception difficulties can call the Freeview Advice Line on freephone 0808 100 0288 for advice and may be eligible for free in-home support, including aerial work where necessary."

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