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I live in a block of flats with a communal aerial, can I still receive Freeview?
I live in a block of flats with a communal aerial, can I still receive Freeview?
I live in a block of flats with a communal aerial, can I still receive Freeview?
For an individual resident.
If you live in an apartment block where the television service is provided from a communal aerial it is the responsibility of the letting agent or landlord to ensure that the system is capable of receiving digital television transmissions. You will still need a separate set top box for each television in your flat or apartment. You should ask your landlord or letting agent what steps they have taken or are taking to ensure that you will be able to receive digital television in your home. You can use the letter template we have provided below for a guide.
Download Landlord letter
Download Good Practice PDF
In the short term a portable aerial may be an option as long as you are in a good coverage area and can place the aerial to pick up a strong signal. Find out more on the Ricability website where you will find independent reviews of portable aerials.
For a landlord or letting agent.
There are two main ways of networking a block of flats or apartment building effectively. The first is a Master Antenna Television System (MATV)
A modern MATV system can carry analogue and digital television signals through an aerial but it cannot carry satellite signals.
In a typical MATV system:
• The aerial is a conventional UHF TV aerial, receiving both analogue and digital TV signals.
• Signals received by the aerial are then processed. In systems that have not been modified to carry digital, it is usually this processing that restricts or prevents the digital signals from being handled correctly, as the processors are only designed to handle analogue TV signals.
• A distribution network then delivers all television signals to a socket outlet in each household. There can be more than one outlet per household, but only one TV set can be connected to each outlet.
About Intergrated Reception Systems (IRS)
An Integrated Reception System (IRS) is in effect a MATV system that has been extended to carry satellite signals as well as analogue and DTT signals. It provides a greater choice for users but has a higher initial cost than a MATV system.
In a typical IRS system, residents can connect their TV set or digital receiver to the socket outlet in their home, in the same way as with a MATV system, but they can also connect a satellite receiver.