Member's statement: Phone and Data Reception
Member's statement by Mr John Stewart on .
- MLA
- Mr John Stewart
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 September 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Phone and Data Reception
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5705515
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I pass on my thoughts to the individual in Greenisland who was struck by a train today. My thoughts are with them, their family, the driver and all the emergency services that are responding. I pray that everything is OK with them.
The phone and data reception in my constituency, East Antrim, and across Northern Ireland is absolutely disgraceful. We are assured continuously by network providers that it is being improved and that they are investing in infrastructure. However, the outworkings on the ground show that that is clearly not the case. They are not isolated incidents. I am being told by constituents in Greenisland, Whitehead, Ballycarry, Islandmagee and Carrickfergus — major population areas of my constituency — that they simply cannot get access to basic data or phone service even though their phones are telling them that they have full 4G or 5G coverage. It is simply unsustainable. That is having a massive impact on them. They are paying their bills in good faith but are unable to access a basic level of service. I have raised the matter continually with the network providers. They have assured me that upgrades are being done. However, clearly, that is not being seen by those who are paying their bills. I am told by NHS staff that it is also having an impact on them when they call out on visits and are unable to access the basic tech services that they require. They are unable to get the data to access the information that they need when they meet individuals on the ground. Something really must be done about it. As I said, I have raised it with the network providers, which, I might add, make billions of pounds every year from the bills that people pay in good faith. We really need to see those upgrades. I have also raised it with the Infrastructure Minister. I have written to the Economy Minister to see what she can do. I have now taken the step of raising it with Ofcom because the problem is so significant that it must do whatever it can to step in and take action against the providers. It is simply unsustainable. I want to make a plea to people and thank everyone who has already reached out to me. Hundreds have done so already. For those affected, it is important that we all, as elected representatives, get a picture of which areas are particularly affected. If anybody is affected, please, reach out to me. I will raise that directly with the providers. Between us all, hopefully, we can get the action that is needed to ensure that coverage is full, comprehensive and provides what people pay their bills for in good faith.
456 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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