Sabden has become a Mobile Dead-Zone. Residents in the Village are becoming isolated from the outside world because for the last eight months they have had little or no mobile phone signal. This despite the fact that a brand new mobile phone Mast has been erected in the village on Land at Dry Corner Farm, Padiham Road, Sabden BB7 9EX (E: 378429 N: 436964) by Clarke Telecomm who describe themselves as an essential asset in the deployment of 4G Mast technology by mobile phone operators and specialists in project planning, designing and site construction to ensure every site is optimised to its full capacity. Every project they promise is delivered on time and within budget resulting in a reputation for a proficient and trusted service. Clarke Telecomm have been working in partnership with Mobile Phone Companies Vodafone and Telefonica (better known as their British subsidiary O2) and the consultants Cornerstone who describe themselves as the UK’s leading telecommunications infrastructure services company.
The problem is that 8 months after it’s erection the Mast is still not live yet and no-one appears to know why including the 4 parters in the project Clarke Telecom, Vodafone, O2 and Cornerstone.
Ricky asked a very simple question of the 4 project partners: A new mast was put up a number of months ago and appears not to be active yet. Any chance of an update? He further pointed out that the issue was urgent. The residents of Sabden have had no Mobile Phone Signal now for 8 months.
To date Ricky has only heard back from the 2 Mobile Phone Companies. Their response has not been encouraging.
The response from O2 was initially encouraging. O2 stated that, “we're carrying out work in the area.” Although, “We've no updates on this at the moment.” Following the dispatch of Engineers to the site O2 reported, “Just to let you know we’re still working hard to fix your issue.” Unfortunately, “We’ll [not] have an update for you [for] seven days, or sooner if it’s fixed.”
Vodafone were initially more optimistic. They responded, “a new mast going up in the area is exciting for an improvement to the coverage you're receiving,” and that they would, “ask the relevant departments if there's any news in relation to this and get back to you with an update in the next few days,” and that they would, “be back in touch...to let you know any updates.”
That initial optimism soon proved to be misplaced. In a follow-up communication Vodafone announced, “Thanks for being so patient whilst we got back to you. We've received an update from the team we contacted. There's been some issues with the mast, which they've been working on. They're hopeful the mast will be live, within the next couple of months, concluding their communication with a frowning emojiee. ?
Ricky responded very simply, “Why so long? The residents of Sabden have been without a mobile phone signal for 8 months. Two months seems an awfully long time.”
In reply Vodafone stated that we, “understand this has been going on for a long time and [We are] really sorry for the inconvenience caused. There are many contributing factors that may cause a delay in a mast going live - many of which are often beyond our control.” Vodafone revealed, “Extensive and in depth work has to be completed on all of our masts. I can assure you, our Network Specialists will do everything they can to get your site up and running, as quickly as possible.”
Councillor Newmark states, “ I felt the 2 Mobile Mast Partners were engaging in Mushroom Management. We’re none the wiser. It’s absolutely unacceptable that some of the leading edge technology companies in the country are unable to switch on a Mobile Phone Mast after 8 long months. That it is going to take a minimum of another 2 months to complete the switch-on process leaves a lot of questions unanswered as to why it is taking so long.”
Councillor Newmark continues, “I have had no alternative but to go to OFCOM asking once again whether they can provide an update on the mast switch-on. I have further asked what the average time between mast erection and switch-on is? I have pointed out to OFCOM that 10 month seems an awfully long time for a mast to be switched on.”
Councillor Newmark concludes, “I have since discovered that are currently over 1,780 Mobile Phone Masts across the country waiting to be switched on, many in rural locations, In the meantime while we are waiting for the Mast to be switched-on I call on O2 and Vodafone to provide a free or at the very least a heavily discounted service to Sabden residents. It would also be nice to think that the companies involved in the mast construction can remove the unsightly debris they left behind following thei mast construction at the site.”
