Mobile multi-band will serve rural areas

Fears that rural dwellers could lose out when a new multi-band spectrum for mobile phones is rolled out have been downplayed.

The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is obliged to ensure the efficient management and use of the radio frequency spectrum — but a 70% population obligation has led to fears that successful bidders for new licences will concentrate on large urban areas, to the detriment of rural areas where 30% of the population live.

However, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said that ComReg is adamant that difficulties will not arise — for a number of reasons. First, the infrastructure is in place and the masts have already been erected. Second, the obligations on Vodafone, 3 and O2 in respect of 3G services were greatly exceeded. Third, mobile telephone companies are already competing to provide services, and there is no question of a diminution of that competition, said the Minister.