EU regulation's impact to boost cell signal in Mayo

A piece of EU Legislation will assist in helping to eliminate ‘blackspots’ of cellular phone coverage around Mayo by encouraging the development of telecommunications masts.

Broadband Officer with Mayo County Council Danny O’Toole told last week’s meeting of the Economic Development SPC Mayo has a number of ‘famous’ coverage blackspots but the development of masts has improved this situation in several areas around the county.

“The situation in Turlough was not great until a telecommunications mast was put up near the village and that has since drastically improved,” he said.

“Overall, it is nowhere near where it should be.”

However, he said that the larger communications companies are often hesitant to put a mast in an area if they feel there is not going to be a sufficient financial gain. Mr O’Toole said that an upcoming EU telecom regulation should mark an improvement in the delivery of this infrastructure.

“The EU Gigabit Infrastructure Act will bring with it a more formalized development and will tie in all local authorities and all telecoms companies into one playing field,” he said.

“This will help the more populated areas which are blackspots for phone coverage.”