BELLEEK is now able to avail of new and improved 2G, 3G and 4G services, but only if you are an 02 customer.
02 confirmed it had carried out upgrades to its service which has been rolled out across the town and the surrounding areas, but has left frustrated customers from other mobile network providers contemplating switching networks.
Welcoming the news of improved coverage Vodafone customer Gabrielle Ferguson from Belleek pointed out that customers may ‘vote with their feet’ when it comes to the roll out of 4G network.
Gabrielle explained, “I am a Vodafone customer and it’s only when I go onto roaming that I get 3G. I have a friend who is 02 and he has recently been able to get 4G and 02 really seem to be the best at the minute. – The problem is when you switch to roaming you are then billed for roaming.
“I would say there has been a lot of frustration over mobile coverage here in Belleek. You go up the road 10 miles and you can get 3G but you can’t get it in Belleek. In Belleek you get GPRS and it just leaves you spinning and spinning. Having 3G in Belleek will be a big benefit as the way things have gone you need the internet even to get a number for a business.”
Gabrielle added, “I am tempted to move back to 02 if Vodafone can’t offer something better. I would say more will follow suit. Pressure will now be rest on the companies to roll out 4G and improve their mobile coverage.”
An 02 spokesperson confirmed that 2G, 3G and 4G network had been upgraded, in order to provide better network coverage and “faster access to mobile internet.”
It is believed that independent tests carried out have shown that 4G network deliver network speeds up to five times faster.
Sinn Fein councillor John Feely welcomed 02’s roll out of 4G coverage to Belleek, “The extra speed is noticeable straight away, and when coupled with the extra data and inclusive benefits of a 4G tariff, 4G will be warmly welcomed in Belleek. This will be good news for local businesses, visitors and tourists to Belleek and to the people of the area in general.
“Hopefully more areas will follow shortly and I will be working to ensure that it is not only the towns and villages of the area that get the upgrade but also the rural areas.”
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