Poor mobile phone coverage raised in the Dail

The 'totally inadequate' mobile phone coverage in Counties Cavan and Monaghan was recently raised in the Dail by Deputy Brendan Smith, TD in the form of parliamentary questions to the Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Alex White.

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister to outline the outcome of any discussions he or his Department had with the Commission for Communications Regulation or with mobile phone companies in relation to the poor coverage throughout both counties.

The Minister stated in his reply that 'conditions regarding levels of mobile telephony coverage to be delivered by Mobile Network Operators are attached to licences issued by ComReg'.

'Operators tend to exceed these coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, as mobile services are a radio-based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets, the capacity of the network and proximity to mobile telephone antennas,' he was told.
'Any customer, including those in Cavan and Monaghan, who experiences service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider, in the first instance.

'If this fails to resolve matters, customers can refer a complaint to ComReg, who will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations.

'My Department has contacted ComReg to seek an update in relation to complaints about coverage in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Our understanding is that ComReg has been in contact with mobile operators regarding this issue and is awaiting the outcome of these deliberations”, added Minister White.
“Upgrades to mobile networks can cause temporary disruptions to coverage, as new equipment is installed and commissioned. The positive outcome of such disruption is, however, a deployment of an improved service. My Department has been advised by two mobile operators that they are in the process of upgrading their networks in the Monaghan and Cavan area. Further significant investment, particularly in 4G technology, is planned throughout 2016”.
The Minister said that Local Authorities also have an important role to play in terms of facilitating the siting of necessary infrastructure such as masts and antennae.
Brendan Smith told the Anglo Celt that it is not acceptable that people experience poor coverage on a constant basis and throughout most parts of both counties. He re-iterated that mobile phone users should complain to their mobile telephone company and to ComReg about the inadequate coverage.