Frequently Asked Questions

Never before has connectivity been as important to keep communities connected as it is today.

1. How do I find out about mobile phone coverage in my area?

You can view the ComReg coverage map here

2. How does the proposed infrastructure help improve mobile coverage in our area?
When you make a call, load an app or send a text message your phone converts that data into radio waves to be transmitted to the nearest telecoms site to complete the action.

Have you ever been in a car and your signal will suddenly drop out? That is because you are either moving too far from a telecoms site or are in between areas which are covered by them.

By correctly positioning a new telecoms site it is possible to dramatically improve mobile voice and broadband coverage because the distance the data has to travel is reduced, or there are less obstacles in the way (like hills or trees).

3. Will all mobile phone operators' signals be available from a new telecoms site?

Cellnex works with all of the major service providers in Ireland meaning communities will have the opportunity to access to a wide range of services. Mobile operators base their decision on expanding their services to an area on a number of factors, including the size of the market, and the cost of deployment which is why it is even more important to garner as much local support as possible.

Cellnex will deploy the proposed new infrastructure based on the confirmed interest of one mobile network operator. The Cellnex solution allows for multiple operators to be hosted on the site, meaning less infrastructure is needed and new services can be added over time.

4. Will the new telecoms site provide broadband coverage in our area?
The deployment of a new telecoms site increases the likelihood of operators deploying mobile services to a location. The services being offered by the mobile operators today will certainly enhance the availability of mobile broadband services to the target area. Cellnex will work with the community to identify what their needs are, and in turn work with the mobile operators to provide the optimal solution.
5. What does a potential solution involve and look like?

Mobile infrastructure varies in size depending on the needs of the area. Our rural connectivity solution are streetwork poles which are between 10m and 21m in height.

They actually look more like street light poles and can be largely unintrusive. Please see our Case Study to understand what our proposed solutions looks like.

6. Why are Cellnex looking for the community to get involved?
We want to identify the communities who are struggling with mobile coverage issues and want to get involved in promoting the necessary infrastructure for their area. We believe communities are the primary group of people who can stand to benefit from the deployment of improved mobile connectivity.

So having communities on board at the outset will speed up the delivery and help attract Mobile Operators to their area.

7. Why don’t the Mobile Operators already deliver a service in our area?

Ireland suffers from having a large number of remote, rural communities which are sometimes too far from existing telecoms infrastructure making it commercially challenging to deploy services in all areas of the country. Mobile operators will traditionally deploy services in areas of higher density populations to serve the maximum number of customers.

We want to ensure that these hard to serve remote areas of the country benefit from greater levels of connectivity. Mobilising community support can make a compelling case with the mobile operators to deploy new services.

8. What potential other services can be offered from this new infrastructure?
While the primary objective of a new telecoms site is to support the deployment of mobile voice and broadband services, there is also the potential for additional technologies to be added such as an Internet of Things (IoT) which will facilitate enhanced services in homes, businesses and in communities where it is deployed.
9. What are Cellnex committing to deliver under this Community Call initiative?
Cellnex will commit to reviewing the request for support in your community, and all efforts will be made to design the appropriate solution for the area in conjunction with the key stakeholders including the Mobile network operators.
10. If we start this process can Cellnex guarantee a new telecoms site will be delivered?

The final decision on whether a telecoms site can be deployed will depend on two key factors, planning & the economic business case.

Cellnex will adapt the site solution design and site selection to ensure any planning matters are addressed from the outset and while we acknowledge that some of the areas that will be put forward may not be economically feasible, we commit to pursuing all possible funding options to ensure we deliver a successful outcome for each area.

11. Who will pay for the new telecoms site?
There will be no cost to the community in constructing a new telecoms site. We believe that with the support of the mobile network operators there will be a business case to justify the construction of the new telecoms site in some areas.

Where the new telecoms site isn’t commercially viable we will work with the community in pursuing all possible funding options to ensure we deliver a successful outcome for each area.

12. How should we deal with neighbours who are opposed to any new tower?
A fundamental reason for launching the Get Connected project is to increase discussion around the development of vital infrastructure in Ireland’s rural locations. Some people will always be opposed to developments in their locality regardless of the benefits.

Dialogue is important and Get Connected can supply communities with information that demonstrates what the potential solution looks like and will keep the community updated on the process involved.

We believe this hands on approach will help resolve any minor opposition in an area.

13. How does this initiative differ from what the National Broadband plan will deliver?
The National Broadband Plan is solely focused on fixed broadband provision, whereas Get Connected is committed to improving mobile signal coverage enhancing connectivity in areas poorly served today.
14. How do I get involved?

You can get started here