Residents of Bishops Castle were astonished to hear this week that the reason their mobile phone is so poor is that they are not covered by the EE phone network – one of the UK’s major phone networks.

Local residents have been complaining for some time about the decline in the quality of mobile reception and local councillors have been running a petition calling for action from EE – a major provider for the BC area.

It still came as a shock however when residents living in the town started receiving the following e-mail to their complaints:

“Thank you for your email dated 29 March 2014.

I have investigated the issue you have raised with regard to lack of signal and confirm our coverage system shows that unfortunately you will probably receive poor or no coverage at all.

I trust my response is of assistance.

Victoria Bedford
Mail Team”

BC Shropshire Councillor Charlotte Barnes said “This is typical of the run around we have been given by EE. I have been trying for weeks to get hold of a regional manager we could talk to without result. Only on Friday a colleague, using their ‘Complaints Code of Practice’ tried to get a phone number of their Customer Services Centre in Sunderland. EE promised to call back with a number but never did. Their behaviour is haphazard and unprofessional.”

Heather Kidd, Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen, added ” There has been a pronounced decline in the quality of the service since last summer and also a new twist – phones now register a signal when there is none. What is equally bad is their attitude towards customers who pay their dues and get an indifferent service.”

Cllrs Barnes, Kidd and Hartin have now written to EE requesting a meeting and will take the matter to OFFCOM if necessary.

The petition can be signed in shops all over the Bishops Castle, Clun, Chirbury and Worthen areas and also on line at www.heatherkidd.org

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