MOBILE phone users have been warned they need a TV licence to view live television on their devices as a crackdown starts.

TV Licensing has urged smartphone owners to be correctly licensed following an industry move which will make it easier than ever before for people to watch TV on their mobile.

The move, announced by industry regulator Ofcom, allows mobile network operators to deliver mobile broadband using previously unavailable digital terrestrial TV frequencies.

This means consumers and businesses should get faster and cheaper mobile data services, and it will now be easier and quicker for mobile users to watch live TV on their smartphones.

But people who are watching or recording live television on any device, including mobile phones, must have a TV licence.

In a report published by Ofcom earlier this year, research showed that more one in five, or 22 per cent, people have watched a TV programme on a mobile phone, with one in eight, or 13 per cent, doing so at least quarterly.

The same report also revealed how smartphone use is rising, with six in ten adults in the UK, or 62 per cent, now using a smartphone, compared to five in ten, or 54 per cent, in 2012.

This increase has been driven by people aged 25 to 34 and 45 to 54.

It has also found those aged between 65 and 74 are almost twice as likely to use a smartphone now compared to 2012, with these figures are 20 per cent to 12 per cent.

Two shoppers at Forster Square Retail Park in Bradford yesterday gave mixed reactions to knowing the TV Licensing laws.

Adam Petria, 20, of Huddersfield Road, Wyke, said: "I use my mobile to watch the football off ITV on it when it's on live.

"Having the right TV licence is not something I have thought about in the past.

"You almost take it for granted that it works already."

Jonathan Eccles, 42, of Perseverance Road, Bradford, said: "I was aware that you needed the correct TV licence for your mobile phone.

"I use BBC iplayer on my mobile quite a lot.

"It should be universal. You should pay to have the right licence."

Matthew Thompson, TV Licensing spokesman, said: “As smartphone use continues to rise, a greater number of people than ever before now have the capability to watch TV on their mobile phone.

"With this in mind, we’re taking the opportunity to ensure that all mobile users are clear on when a TV licence is required.

“If you’re watching or recording live television, then you require a TV licence, regardless of what device you are watching it on.

"A TV licence will cover you to watch live on any mobile device including a laptop, tablet or smart phone.”

For more information about when a licence is needed, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/info.

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