Transmitter company Arqiva has recently enhanced the signal delivered by two of its relay transmitters in North East England.
The company continues to fill in coverage gaps left by the loss of the original Bilsdale transmitter mast last year. It is also planning to fill in new coverage gaps created while work on the new Bilsdale mast progresses.
Freeview signal improvement at Seaham and Sunderland relays means both sites can provide better coverage in homes affected by the loss of service at Bilsdale. A retune is not required “at this point”, according to Arqiva. The signal improvement was implemented on 14th January, according to the company.
The coastal area between Hartlepool and Sunderland is split between coverage from Bilsdale and coverage from Pontop Pike transmitters. It forms the northern edge of Bilsdale’s coverage. Temporary transmitter masts in and around the North York Moors are unable to provide the same level of coverage up the coast. Both Seaham and Sunderland already relay a signal from Pontop Pike.
Meanwhile, work to complete a more sturdy temporary tower at Bilsdale is nearly complete. The mast is adjacent to the site of the original Bilsdale mast, and will replace the current temporary structure at Bilsdale Quarry. It will remain in service until a new mast is completed in 2023.
Temporary relay transmitters will remain in service until then. Meanwhile, mobile services in the area have been restored as a result of a further temporary mast, operated by Cellnex.
Updated 19/01/2022