Kerry councillor calls for mobile network regulator to address ‘unacceptable’ blackspots

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor called for the council to write to ComReg over the “unacceptable” lack of mobile phone coverage on the Iveragh Peninsula.

Councillor Norma Moriarty said the connectivity between Foilmore and Coars was poor and needed to be rectified.

The latest CSO figures show Cork and Kerry households combined have an average of 95 per cent internet access, up from 91 per cent in 2020.

ComReg’s coverage map shows the main gaps in 4G coverage on the Kerry-Limerick border around Brosna and in parts of the Iveragh Peninsula.

“They should not be without phone coverage in this day and age,” she said, “it just cannot continue.”

She called on Kerry County Council to write to Vodafone and ComReg seeking a detailed report on requirements to ensure coverage for the area.

Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae echoed Cllr Moriarty’s comments, adding that a new network licence with new terms came into effect in 2015.

He said the conditions stated coverage was to be increased five per cent annually and questioned whether there was evidence the expansion had happened.