AS of Monday Arqiva have announced a new £50 voucher scheme for people who are still without TV signal after the temporary mast – but what does this mean and how does it work?

The scheme means that residents found within what Arqiva are calling a “not-spot” will be able to claim a £50 voucher for Currys, allowing them to purchase a streaming stick or device.

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However, some people might not know what this means or what a streaming device even is, especially residents who are elderly and do not have family members to help them.

According to Arqiva, the £50 voucher can only be used at Currys, meaning we can take a look at the possible items that you could purchase to use as a streaming device.

What is a streaming device/streaming stick?

Streaming devices and streaming sticks work by connecting to your WiFi and allowing you to watch TV through on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 on demand and many others.

These devices, for the most part, also allow you to access certain programmes such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, YouTube as well as a few others.

There are many upside to using streaming devices, such as ease of use and accessing TV anytime you like.

A downside to these devices is that sometimes certain programmes will not appear on-demand, and some channels will not support an on-demand service.

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This includes regular programming such as your local news and sometimes films and one-off TV specials.

Another downside is that many of the services offered such as Amazon, Netflix and Disney+, require a subscription to use.

What streaming device should I buy with my voucher?

Given that most streaming sticks and devices fall between the £25 to £50 price range, there is a fair amount on offer in terms of what you can purchase from Currys with your voucher.

If you’re looking to just get the job done and get your TV back and want to keep things simple, then the best bet is to purchase the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa Voice Remote here or the Roku Express HD Streaming Media Player here. However, the Roku device does require a HDMI cable to be bought separately

The latter version has over 800 reviews and has achieved 9 stars out of 10, so we recommend you choose this option with your voucher.

If you’re looking for a more premium option allowing you to stream 4k and HDR, then the Roku Streaming Stick + 4k HDR Streaming Media Player is your best bet here.

How do I set up my streaming device when it arrives?

Setting up a streaming device is relatively simple if you know what you’re doing. If you are not used to using technology and the idea seems quite daunting then we recommend you seek help with the installation through Currys, a family member or a neighbour all of which should have experience with streaming devices or similar technologies.

What should I do if I still have money left on my £50 voucher?

As many of the streaming sticks are priced under £50, it is likely that you will have money left after the purchase.

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Arqiva have said that you are able to purchase anything you want with the money that is left on the voucher.

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