In terms of the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage throughout the country, 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, given that mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the quality of access customers have to mobile telephone antennas.
ComReg's 2012 multiband spectrum auction has released additional radio spectrum which is expected to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile services. Since the auction, three mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile services and rollout is continuing. There has also been continued investment in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements.
Local Authorities also have a strong role to play in facilitating the roll-out of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure. This is a matter which has been raised by telecommunications services providers and is reflected in the Government's National Broadband Plan which commits to addressing barriers to deployment of services.
I have referred the matter raised by the Deputy to ComReg for appropriate attention.
