Rural communities in north Mayo left without mobile phone coverage

MOBILE phone users in rural communities in north Mayo have been left without a service because the service mast was decommissioned according to a local TD.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has called on the Minister of State for Communications, Ossian Smyth to intervene on behalf of a number of households around Ballycastle and Kilfian after they were left without a mobile phone service following the decommissioning and removal of the Three mast from the Old Garda Barracks in Ballycastle.

The Erris-based TD claimed that the mast was decommissioned because the OPW was disposing of the site and the location of the new mast does not provide a service to up to 14 householders.

“Mobile phone users in the Ballycastle and Kilfian area, including at least 14 households, have been deprived of mobile phone coverage after the mast at the old Garda Barracks in Ballycastle was decommissioned by Three Network. The customers affected are those who use Three and Tesco Mobile.

“These households may have family members working from home, or elderly family members living alone who use a phone alarm safety system. People need their phones for work, to access healthcare, for educational purposes, to connect with state support and services, to keep in touch with family.

“The mast was decommissioned because the OPW is disposing of the site, and it cannot be sold with a mast onsite. A new mast has been set up at a different location but doesn’t cover the households affected, and they cannot get a decent level of coverage with other providers.

“When I contacted Minister Smyth’s office, I was advised that if such a matter is not resolved by the service provider, it can be escalated to ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation.

“Three Network has stated that they are no longer able to provide the necessary services. However, ComReg says it is unable to help with this issue as Three and Tesco Mobile have ‘fulfilled their regulatory obligations’ by offering affected customers a ‘penalty-free’ release from their contracts.

“In 2024, mobile phone coverage is an absolute necessity, particularly for people living in rural communities, many of whom no longer have landlines. We all rely on a decent level of cover to go about our daily lives.

“The Minister of State for Communications must provide a solution for these households who have been left without an essential service through no fault of their own,” she said.