Commons call for communication companies to work together for benefit of customers
MP demands improvements to mobile phone services
Published:
A north MP is planning a campaign to force mobile phone companies to improve their services across the Highlands and islands.
Western Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil is planning to table a motion in the Commons demanding Orange and Vodafone actively co-operate by sharing each other’s masts and erect new ones where needed.
He also wants them to allow “roaming”, so that customers of either net- work can use the other where that provides a stronger signal.
He reacted angrily after receiving what seemed to be the first signs of shared working by the two mobile phone giants in the form of a letter from Orange government and public policy manager Aleyne Johnson.
Mr Johnson revealed the two competitors had signed an agreement increasing the sharing of 2G and 3G masts – referring to second generation and third generation technology.
The benefit would be that fewer masts would be needed, resulting in improved coverage as each moved into areas previously dominated by the other.
Mr Johnson also referred to a long-term commitment between the companies which could increase the extent and type of sharing arrangements, while they continue to compete aggressively, including on coverage.
He also suggested there would be a need for more base stations to do this.
Mr MacNeil at first welcomed the news, which appeared to mean large gaps in coverage across the region would be reduced or eliminated.
He became furious when the companies made it clear later they had no concrete and immediate plans to improve cover in the Western Isles.
Neither disclosed any proposals for more masts to deal with large areas in the isles and on the mainland where coverage is non-existent or poor.
Mr MacNeil said: “My Commons motion will call on Orange and Vodafone to allow roaming, as they have to do overseas, to share each other’s masts and improve the areas covered.
“I know people who have to carry two mobile phones around with them to stay in touch. That is not good enough.”
A spokeswoman for Orange was unable to point to any specific sharing arrangements which would benefit the Western Isles or the Highlands.
She said: “While our intention is to work together to improve coverage, the detailed network planning has not yet been carried out so we are unable to confirm which specific areas of the UK will benefit.”
A spokesman for Vodafone said it sought to provide its customers with coverage “wherever practicable”.
He said base stations were investigated for upgrades, but if this was not possible, the company would consider mast sharing arrangements.
“New base stations were considered as a last resort, he added.
“Planning legislation seeks to minimise the numbers of new ground base structures, and approximately two-thirds of our base stations in the UK are located on existing structures such as buildings or other operators’ base stations,” he added.
