How Covid-19 has affected TV engineer visits

Platform operators outline changes to support as Covid-19 lockdown continues.

Telecommunications Engineers, Field Engineers and Broadcasters have been designed as key workers by the Government, meaning limited support can continue to ensure households don't lose access to the main TV channels for a lengthy period of time, at a time when some individuals have been told they should stay at home for 12 weeks.

Sky confirmed yesterday that it's engineers would continue home visits where possible, but visits would be limited to essential TV and broadband matters and not Sky Q upgrades.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Home Support visits to help Freeview viewers who have lost TV services as a result of recent frequency changes or interference created by new mobile services on installations without 4G filters, will continue, but in a limited capacity.

Home Support visits from Digital Mobile Support Limited (at800) will now only be provided to households who have no access to any TV news on at least one of the main Public Service Broadcast (PSB) channels - the standard definition versions of BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 (plus STV in Central and North Scotland; UTV in Northern Ireland and S4C in Wales) and the household views the restoration of those services as essential.

Social distancing rules will apply. All other Home Support appointments have been postponed until after the virus outbreak has passed.

Virgin Media meanwhile is also continuing some limited support where it is safe to do so. The cable TV and broadband company has been checking in with householders prior to any visit to ensure no-one is displaying any symptoms.

Independent aerial installers are meanwhile currently able to carry out installations, subject to social distancing - but it is their decision to make and they can refuse to undertake work at this time and stat at home. One aerial installer told RXTVlog that they found themselves in limbo, citing a number of contradictory pieces of advice they had received in the past few days.

Available support from all platform operators is subject to change without notice and is subject to further amendments to Government advice.