By Katie-Ann Gupwell

Copyright dailypost

One wonderful aspect of residing in Wales is that the nation boasts numerous charming towns, with Tenby being consistently lauded for its spectacular beauty time and time again. This magnificent Pembrokeshire town is renowned for its ancient medieval fortifications, delightful pastel-coloured dwellings, glorious beaches and bustling harbour; nevertheless, it appears locals frequently battle to secure adequate mobile phone reception.

This month, a nationwide investigation by VodafoneThree forecast that tourism-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Wales could face potential annual losses of £69 million owing to inadequate mobile coverage. Swansea Bay News covered the research which analysed 50 British staycation destinations – including Tenby, Porthcawl and New Quay – and found that improved broadband and mobile connectivity could boost earnings for Welsh tourism businesses by thousands of pounds each year.

It’s suggested that whilst the research focused on specific locations, the conclusions likely extend to other rural and coastal regions throughout South West Wales, encompassing Gower, Laugharne, Saundersfoot and the Pembrokeshire Coast. Across these areas, tourists frequently grumble about weak signal strength and sluggish internet connectivity, despite these being absolutely gorgeous places to call home.

The matter recently surfaced on Facebook, when one social media user enquired: “What is the best mobile signal in Tenby please?” This straightforward query sparked considerable discussion amongst residents, who acknowledged that mobile reception can indeed pose challenges in the coastal resort.

Despite its popularity, a certain issue is causing a bit of a stir in the hotspot. Poor mobile signal is proving problematic for both locals and businesses.

One individual remarked: “There is bad signal in Tenby anyway.” Another chimed in with: “I’ve been on them all over the years, and none of them have been particularly good in Tenby.”

A third person pointed out: “The problem with Tenby isn’t signal strength, it’s capacity. In the winter, your phone, no matter what network, will work generally well everywhere.

“In the summer, when the town fills with people, you’ll find you’ve got full signal but you can’t make a call or use any apps or it will be very slow. The masts can only do so much and they max out. Too many people using the network.”

However, a fourth resident shared a more positive experience, stating: “There is no problem in Tenby. If there is supposed to be, we have never experienced it spending up to six months a year here.”

Back in April, the Pembrokeshire Herald reported that Tenby residents were also voicing complaints about mobile signal issues, particularly as the busy summer season approached.

County Councillor Michael Williams reportedly brought up the issue with Pembrokeshire County Council’s trading standards department in November last year. He claimed at the time that unreliable mobile signal was becoming a “serious concern” for both residents and businesses.

Previously, Councillor Williams stated: “All the providers are blaming visitor numbers, but that excuse doesn’t justify the charges people are paying. It’s the same problem every year, and it’s time something was done.”

All four major UK networks – EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three – have a presence in Tenby, but the infrastructure reportedly struggles to cope during peak seasons. The Herald has reported past plans to install new masts, such as a proposed 20-metre 4G mast, which were put on hold due to objections stemming from the town’s location within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

During a Parliamentary debate earlier this year, ministers expressed concerns that Ofcom’s mobile coverage reports might not always reflect the true experience of users. This is an issue felt in Tenby and other rural hotspots.

Ofcom has recently launched Map Your Mobile, a new tool with improved information to better reflect the mobile coverage people can expect in their area. This is a significant step forward in helping customers compare coverage and find the best provider for them. Ofcom will continue to update and enhance the tool.