Debate contribution: Mobile Phone Coverage: West Belfast

Debate contribution by Mr Brian Kingston on 20 May 2025.

MLA

Mr Brian Kingston

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 May 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Mobile Phone Coverage: West Belfast

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4964617

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I had not planned to speak, but I will say some words in support of the request for better mobile phone coverage in West Belfast. When I saw that the matter had been raised for debate, I spoke to various people who live in the greater Shankill area of the West Belfast constituency, and they told me that they do not have problems with their phone signal. The problem may affect isolated spots — the Glen Road area has been mentioned — but it does not seem to affect the northern part of the constituency. I have heard about the attacks on masts. Some people believe that the masts are a cause for concern. I have looked into the issue when I have been asked about it. All the research shows that 5G technology poses no risk to human health. The technology is similar to that for Wi-Fi and ordinary phone coverage — it is a radio signal. People can research the matter for themselves, but all the indications are that there is no health risk. Attacks on masts are criminal activity that should be condemned and reported to the police. The people who are responsible should be prosecuted. I support any calls for information about those who are responsible to be brought forward. The real-life consequence of those attacks is that people do not have a good signal. As phone technology advances, phones need a stronger signal. I have received more complaints from people who object to the aesthetics of the masts. Additional masts have been erected in North Belfast recently. Nobody wants the eyesore close to them, but they receive planning approval. The masts seem to go through the council without being brought to the planning committee because they satisfy the planning criteria. As with most things, people do not want the masts beside them, but they complain if the signal strength or coverage is not sufficient. That coverage is essential for modern life. The masts should be located as sympathetically as possible and not disrupt people's views or be put up right beside their houses, but they need to go up somewhere. I will continue to monitor the situation and check with people who live in the West Belfast constituency whether they are having problems. I certainly support all calls for more attention to be given to improving coverage in that area and for an end to the foolish attacks.

Yes. There may be a need for signal boosting and better aerials anyway. I cannot say whether the signal is poor only because of the attacks, but companies should not use the attacks as an excuse not to take action. Those who are responsible for the attacks will know that they cause inconvenience for people. I have no doubt that the attacks are a factor as companies may be reluctant to invest in areas where there will be attacks that result in more costs. Let us hope that it gets sorted.

494 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:33 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification