Broadband and mobile complaints
Poor phone coverage and broadband speeds are problems regularly highlighted in Cavan but new figures show issues with bills were the most common complaint made to the communications regulator.
Seventy seven complaints about mobile phone or broadband companies were made by people in Cavan over the past two years.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show the majority of local complaints related to broadband providers in the region.
Eir was the most complained about broadband provider in Cavan, with almost half of all broadband complaints related to the company.
The data from Comreg, the communications regulator, shows 22 complaints were logged between January 1, 2020 and January 7, 2022.
Issues with billing were the most flagged issue. Common complaints placed with Comreg included people being billed after cancelling their contracts or before any equipment had been installed in their premises. Problems with contracts or switching provider are also included in this figure.
Service issues garnered five complaints over the past two years. The availability of service, equipment issues and a loss of service were among the issues highlighted in Cavan.
Broadband speeds, a common gripe in rural Ireland, saw four complaints against Eir.
Vodafone was the subject of 15 complaints, the second highest number in Cavan over the period in question.
Service issues were the most common problem raised by Vodafone customers in Cavan. Loss of service or a lack of service were among the problems, with eight complaints.
Five complaints related to billing or contract issues, with one each for switching providers and equipment problems.
Six other providers were subject to complaints from Cavan customers - Three, Imagine, IFA Telecom, Konnect Ireland, Sky and Bigblu Broadband, attracted 11 complaints between them.
Mobile phone issues
The figures released to The Anglo-Celt also show the breakdown of complaints made against mobile phone providers in Cavan. Twenty-nine reports were made to Comreg by people in the county.
Three Ireland was subject of most complaints, with 12 in total. The majority, seven, related to billing or contracts.
Some customers reported being double billed or being charged for a service they didn’t receive.
Five complaints made against Three related to service. Customers highlighted intermittent service, a lack of coverage and being charged for roaming outside the EU.
Vodafone was subject to 10 complaints to Comreg. Again, billing issues were the most common complaint with eight related to the issue.
Credit not being applied to a number, being billed for a service not requested and overcharging were among the reported problems.
Service issues and problems switching were subject to one complaint each.
Eir was subject to six complaints, most related to issues with billing.
The regulator received one complaint against Lycamobile related to service issues and intermittent coverage provision.
Complaints
Poor mobile phone coverage and a lack of adequate broadband are issues regularly raised in Cavan.
Councillors just last month were critical of the rollout of the National Broadband Plan, with Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) saying National Broadband Ireland, which is responsible for the project, should be “ashamed” and the “government needs to look at this again”.
Councillors have called for the programme to be accelerated, particularly due to the challenges faced by people working from home during the pandemic.
Last month alone, there were calls for answers over the poor phone coverage available at Cavan General Hospital. Councillors agreed to write to hospital management and the HSE to urge a solution to be found.
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