Green light for phone system study

A MODERN, microwave phone system may provide a solution to telecommunications problems in Kerry’s Black Valley.

Communications Minister Noel Dempsey has given the go-ahead for a feasibility study to be carried out on whether a microwave service would be suitable.

At present, the valley, located in a mountainous area between Killarney and Kenmare, does not have mobile phone reception and the 70 residents are depending on a battery-operated Rurtel phone system, which has proved to be unreliable. The Rurtel system has been operating since 1990 and local people have been calling for its replacement for years.