Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to mention two matters, one of which follows on from what Deputy McEntee said about the issue of the smartphone not being as capable of engaging with the networks as older technology. What discussions has ComReg had with the network operators to enhance their broadcasting capacity to make contact with the new devices which, as indicated by the witnesses, are less sensitive? We have heard that before from the operators. Is there any debate on improving the communication between the base station and the phone?

The other point is the kernel of it all. Mobile phone network operators have service obligations with ComReg. These are set out in the licence agreement. The witnesses are telling us that ComReg polices and verifies it on an ongoing basis through a drive test. ComReg seems to believe the drive test shows that in all instances the performance of the coverage is above and beyond what is set out in the service obligations. That, to me, says one of two things. First, the obligations are irrelevant or too low. They certainly do not meet the needs of service users. Alternatively, the drive test is not an adequate method of checking the level of coverage. In light of this discussion, it seems that the latter is probably the case. Has ComReg examined any other method of verifying the obligations set out in the licences other than the drive test?

I suggest it is no different from polling that is done on consumer behaviour where there a scientific methodology is deployed. Would ComReg look at it in the context of scientific face-to-face contact with members of the public and conduct its own checking of the coverage and service levels within or around the curtilage of homes rather than merely this continuous drive test in a loop around roads?