Telecommunications operator Cellnex has said it has identified more than 200 potential blackspots around Ireland where poor mobile phone coverage is still a problem.
The company claims a subsidy of around €10 million from the Government would help deliver shared infrastructure, open to all mobile providers, at blackspot locations.
Cellnex has installed telecommunications infrastructure and addressed coverage blackspots in three locations in Co Laois through its community-led “Get Connected” initiative.
The scheme is now being launched nationwide but the company says Government support will be needed to address poor network coverage in remote, low-population areas that are not seen as commercially viable to tackle issues impeding the roll out of mobile and fixed connectivity,” the spokesperson said.
“These pilot schemes show that we have the ability now to fix existing mobile communications blackspots in these rural communities,” said Colin Cunningham, Managing Director of Cellnex Ireland.
“However, given the low population densities, the rollout of these proof-of-concept schemes underscores the fact that without some form of financial support, it will unfortunately not be viable for the industry alone to fix all of these blackspots and deliver the required connectivity to communities,” he added.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said that the Department liaises regularly with both ComReg and operators to ensure progress in the provision of mobile coverage across the country.
“The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, co-chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Community and Rural Development, continues to tackle issues impeding the roll-out of mobile and fixed connectivity,” the spokesperson said.