How 5G Interference Impacts TV Antennas & When Replacement Is Necessary

As 5G towers continue popping up across Australia, more homeowners are noticing unexpected TV reception issues, pixelation, audio dropouts, and channels vanishing altogether. While digital TV in Australia is generally stable, 5G interference has become one of the most common reasons people call for professional antenna service in 2025.

Here’s what’s actually happening, why some antennas struggle, and when antenna replacement becomes the only real fix.

Why 5G Affects Older TV Antennas

Many older antennas were built before the advent of 4G and 5G networks. They were designed to pick up a wide range of frequencies, including bands that telcos now use for mobile signals.

That means your antenna may be inadvertently picking up mobile tower noise along with TV signals.

The most affected setups include:

• Antennas that are 10+ years old
• Homes close to new 5G towers
• Systems using thin or degraded coaxial cables
• Installations without proper filtering
• Antennas initially installed for analogue TV

In short, it’s not that 5G is “too strong”, it’s that old antennas were never designed to reject it.

Common Signs of 5G Interference

Here’s what our technicians see on callouts almost every week:

1. Channels suddenly disappear: Especially commercial stations like Seven, Nine, and Ten.

2. The picture freezes during windy weather: Movement can shift the angle just enough for 5G noise to creep in.

3. High-definition channels break up at night: Mobile towers often change output power during peak usage.

4. One TV works, another doesn’t: Usually caused by older splitters or mismatched cabling.

5. Reception drops after NBN installation: HFC modems and new cabling can introduce additional interference, and if you’re seeing these symptoms, your antenna is telling you it’s time for a check-up.

When Can an Antenna Be Repaired, And When Is Replacement Necessary?

Not every interference problem requires a full replacement. In some homes, installing a TV antenna filter or replacing outdated cabling is enough.

Repairs may be sufficient if:

• The antenna is under 7 years old
• The system already uses quad-shield coax
• Only one TV point is affected
• The problem started right after a new mobile tower was activated

However, antenna replacement becomes unavoidable when:

• The antenna is built for analogue frequencies: These units pick up far too much non-TV noise.
• The mounting hardware is rusted or loose: Movement + interference = an unstable signal.
• There is no LTE/5G filter integrated in the antenna head: Modern antennas come with built-in filtering that blocks mobile frequencies.
• Multiple devices, splitters, and cables have degraded: Weak cabling amplifies interference.
• You live extremely close to a new 5G tower: Only a properly rated antenna will stabilise reception.

In these cases, installing a TV antenna that is digital-ready and 5G-resistant is the only long-term fix.

If you’re dealing with ongoing reception problems, or you’d prefer a team that handles everything from antenna service to full digital upgrades, check out The MR Group, trusted by thousands of Aussie homeowners for quality home services done right. They provide reliable, professional service nationwide, no guesswork, no shortcuts.

What a Proper 5G-Resistant Antenna Installation Includes

When a technician upgrades your system, here’s what they’ll typically assess:

1. Signal strength & tower direction

• Every suburb is different. Proper alignment matters.

2. Interference readings

• We check for 4G and 5G noise with a digital meter, not guesswork.

3. Cabling and wall plates

• Old RG59 cables simply can’t handle today’s digital signals.

4. Antenna mounting position

• Sometimes a simple repositioning solves half the problem.

5. Integrated filter systems

• Modern antennas include built-in filters that reject 4G/5G frequencies.

6. Splitters and boosters

• Cheap splitters often introduce more interference than they solve.
• A quality installation ensures your home is future-proof.

Why It’s Better to Upgrade Earlier Rather Than Later

Think of your TV antenna like your roof. It’s out there dealing with wind, UV damage, rust, and years of weather. Add new mobile towers into the mix, and older antennas simply don’t stand a fighting chance.

A fresh system gives you:

• Stronger HD reception
• More stable signal during storms
• Better support for multiple TV points
• Compatibility with future broadcast changes
• Less reliance on boosters (which often mask deeper issues)

If you’ve already called out a technician more than once in the past 12 months, replacement is usually the cost-effective path.

Final Thoughts

5G isn’t going away, and it’s only getting stronger. While it’s great for phones, it can be a headache for older TV systems.

If your reception has become unreliable or you’re noticing more dropouts than usual, booking a professional antenna service is the best place to start. From testing to antenna replacement, an experienced tech can tell you exactly what’s causing the issue and the best way to fix it for good.

At Mr Antenna, we don’t just fix a problem; we provide a comprehensive solution that lasts.