Watchdog rejects TDs' mobile claims

THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS regulator has rejected TDs’ claims about a growing number of dropped calls and blackspots in mobile phone coverage.

All four mobile phone operators currently provided the levels of coverage required by their licences, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications heard yesterday.

Tests carried out by ComReg did not show any deterioration in the quality of the service, George Merrigan, market framework director with the regulator, told the committee.

Members of the committee had earlier complained about the quality of mobile phone coverage in their respective areas. Mr Merrigan said there was no legal requirement for universal mobile service, such as applied to the fixed-line service. Mobile phone companies were commercial services and were not obliged to provide universal coverage.