Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Licences issued by ComReg require mobile network operators to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. 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, capacity of the network, and proximity to mobile telephone antennae.

Any customer 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, which will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations.

I have referred the issues raised by the Deputy to ComReg, which is responsible for monitoring mobile operators’ compliance with licence terms and conditions. I know the Deputy has raised this issue before. In response, ComReg stated that in the last year, the number of contacts it received regarding network coverage in Cavan and Monaghan represented a small percentage of overall contacts received in relation to network coverage. This does not quite tally with what the Deputy is saying, but I do not doubt him. ComReg states that there has not been an upsurge in complaints compared with previous periods.

Officials in my Department have also contacted mobile phone operators directly. At least one operator has stated that disruptions may have been experienced during an upgrading of their Monaghan network in 2014, and that further upgrades are now under way in Cavan. These upgrades should, however, enhance the quality of mobile services in those counties.

While investment in communications infrastructure and services is primarily a matter for the private sector, the Government recognises that it has a role in ensuring that barriers to investment are removed where possible. The national broadband plan, published in 2012, commits to a range of actions that will facilitate more efficient investment in the roll-out of communications infrastructure.

Specifically, a working group chaired by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - including representatives from my Department, the Local Government Management Agency, the National Roads Authority, and local authorities - has been considering ways to address barriers to the deployment of services. The group will shortly publish a document relating to the location of telecommunications infrastructure on public roads, particularly motorways, with a view to reducing black-spots.

Local authorities also have an important role to play in assisting the roll-out of supporting infrastructure. My Department has worked closely with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to raise awareness of the role of the planning process in delivering telecommunications infrastructure and services. We will continue to focus our efforts on addressing barriers to deployment in order to facilitate continued investment and roll-out of enhanced services.

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