Firms in talks with town where phone signal 'switched off'

The problems started when mobile phone masts servicing Newtown were disabled.

Phone users then reported that their service had become unpredictable and haphazard.

Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, arranged the meeting with the phone companies after being bombarded with complaints about the service, particularly in Newtown and Llanfyllin.

The meeting was called so that community representatives could talk with the operators about possible ways in which coverage can be improved.

EE is currently in the process of decommissioning mobile masts after agreeing a mast-sharing arrangement with 3, meaning the companies are sharing facilities.

The company has said that it intends to take action to alleviate the recent problems in the Newtown and Llanfyllin areas by providing additional capacity, and it is considering the possibility of re-commissioning a mast.

It is also looking at upgrading other equipment to be able to support 4G.

Mr George, who is also chairman of the cross-party group on digital communications, said: "I think it's important to bring the network operators to Mid Wales so that they can hear directly from community leaders about the day-to-day difficulties which residents experience when trying to make a simple phone call or send a text message.

"Many areas of Mid Wales have poor signal and for most of those areas it has always been very poor. But in Newtown there was once very good signal, but it is is getting progressively worse as mobile phone providers decide to share masts.

"In recent years, we have heard a lot about the launch of new 4G services and new network-sharing agreements between the operators, which are supposed to have improved coverage and speeds, but the reality in some rural areas is that mobile coverage has actually got worse.

"I believe that mandatory roaming and compulsory sharing of mobile infrastructure are the two most practical solutions which will resolve this issue."

Wayne Evans, who works in Newtown, is one of the residents who has complained about the service.

He said: "It's very frustrating. My wife might text me at lunchtime and it'll take four to five hours before it gets through."

MP Owen Paterson recently told mobile phone bosses they are putting lives at risk by not improving reception in rural parts of the county.

The former minister said he was concerned there are still many areas without a good mobile phone signal, meaning that many people would be unable to make an emergency call.