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NIACT expresses
fears over safety in Co Tyrone after vandals destroy communications
mast
NIACT expressed grave fears today after
vandals cut down a 30m communications mast in County Tyrone,
when it emerged that the mast played host not only to the 3
main mobile phone operators, but also to the Water service,
NIE and the ambulance service.
Courtenay Thompson, NIACT Chairman, stated
'This is a tragedy. Not only have the 3
main mobile operators been disabled in the area, but the ambulance
service is now out of action and there has been significant
disruption to NIE's and the Water Service's communications.
This is a calamity for the people of County Tyrone -the elderly
and vulnerable may now be at risk, with disrupted coverage for
emergency services, and reduced monitoring of the water and
electricity supply in the area.'
As it became clear that full planning permission
may be needed to put the mast back up, Mr Thompson added:
'This is going to cost a fortune in providing
temporary solutions for coverage in the area - after all, with
full planning permission this could take many months to replace.
Not only will consumers have to put up with a much poorer service
for their mobiles and disruption to essential life services,
but there may be the knock on effect that we will all have to
pay more for our services as a result. We at NIACT are extremely
concerned - we have been campaigning for several years for better
coverage for Northern Ireland's mobile phone consumers, and
for the operators to share masts, and now this has all been
sabotaged.'
NIACT has encouraged the mobile operators
to restore service to consumers in the area as soon as possible,
and has received assurances that everything possible will be
done. If consumers have any complaints or queries about the
situation, NIACT will attempt to stay up to date to answer queries
on: 028 9024 2631 or niact@acts.org.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Courtenay Thompson, DL will be available for interview. Please
contact Caroline Mulvenna at NIACT on 9024 2631 or niact@acts.org.uk
to further details.
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