Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The provision of mobile telephony services is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum by way of licence. The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. Licences issued by ComReg apply terms and conditions on mobile network operators, such as quality of service and minimum population coverage obligations. However, given that mobile services are a radio-based technology, services can be affected by several factors. These include topography, the capacity of the network and, more generally, the level and quality of access customers have to mobile phone antennae. Difficulties for service providers in erecting masts and antennae due to planning issues can also impact negatively on the quality of coverage experienced by consumers.

In terms of improving the quality and coverage of mobile services in all areas throughout the country, there are various initiatives under way to achieve this aim. The commercial telecommunications sector is investing approximately €2.5 billion in upgrading and modernising both fixed and mobile networks. This includes some €850 million invested in acquiring spectrum under the 2012 multi-band spectrum auction run by ComReg. Since then, the mobile operators have all continued to invest in rolling out 4G and enhanced 3G services nationwide. These investments are improving both the coverage and quality of voice and data services throughout the country, although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrading mobile services nationwide.

Local authorities also have an important role to play in terms of facilitating the siting of necessary infrastructure such as masts and antennae. The Telecoms and Internet Federation, TIF, which is part of IBEC, has been quite proactive in seeking to meet local authorities and public representatives to discuss fully the various issues around mobile coverage and the factors that can impact on the quality of service consumers experience. I encourage all local authorities and public representatives to engage with the TIF on these important issues.

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