Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce

Established in 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce aims to identify immediate solutions to issues concerning broadband and mobile phone coverage. Likewise, the Taskforce investigates how services may be improved in line with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication’s National Broadband Plan (NBP).

The Taskforce was re-established on 15 December 2021, and since then ComReg has engaged in discussions with fellow stakeholders and government officials.

Following this meeting, several key priorities were identified, including:

  • Improving outdoor mobile phone coverage in both rural and urban areas.
  • Ensuring the efficient use of infrastructure and assets to support the rollout of telecoms networks.
  • Removing remaining barriers in permit granting, planning and licencing procedures.
  • Improving both the quality and availability of information to consumers regarding telecom products and services on the market.

ComReg met key stakeholders and government officials on 27 April 2022 intending to finalise the first three years of the Taskforce’s new programme. During this meeting, each stakeholder confirmed their commitment to completing their respective tasks and supporting those of their fellow stakeholders.

Full details on the Taskforce as well as published reports, can be found here.

ComReg’s key action areas for 2021-2023:

  • Launch a consumer information campaign aiming to improve awareness of the basics of new technologies.
  • Provide greater transparency to relevant stakeholders regarding services deployed in certain areas thanks to fixed radio available via Siteviewer.
  • Enhance information available to consumers on the mobile coverage map with data updates and 5G coverage mapping.

Following the MBSA II Awards, ComReg will assist the State in subsequent steps taken to further improve geographic mobile coverage.

ComReg’s key action areas for 2019-2021:

  • Continued to provide and promote information for consumers through the Consumer Engagement programme.
  • Published updated data from the mobile operators.
  • Monitoring of unlicensed equipment released into the State with the cooperation of various stakeholders including online selling platforms.
  • Established the SII Forum.
  • Researched mobile and broadband consumer confidence and consumer experience surveys.

ComReg’s key action areas for 2017-2019:

From 2017 to 2019, the Taskforce addressed more than 70 key action areas aimed at bringing lasting change around Ireland and reducing the urban/rural digital divide so everyone can benefit from enhanced connectivity.

Key actions included:

Visit the DECC’s (Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications) website for more information.

Broadband Officers

Broadband Officers are based in local authorities around the country. The role of the Broadband Officer is to provide a local point of contact for telecoms operators and the public regarding telecoms issues. They also play the leading role in their local authorities as the National Broadband Plan is rolled out.

Our engagement with broadband officers began in 2016 with the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. We have attended Broadband Officer meetings and presented on topics including:

  • 27 May 2021 – an overview of Consumer Care team and complaints handling.
  • 18 February 2019 –an update on ComReg’s Outdoor Mobile Coverage Map.
  • 13 September 2018 – ComReg’s decision to permit the use of mobile phone repeaters (see ComReg Doc No D08/18).
  • 30 November 2017 – an overview of ComReg’s Compare tool.

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