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🇮🇸 Iceland /Technology

Icelandic Residents Complain of Worsening Mobile Signal After 3G Shutdown

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents in Dalabyggð, Iceland, are complaining about poor mobile phone reception, which they say has worsened since the 3G network shutdown.
  • Locals had hoped the 3G shutdown would improve 4G and 5G coverage, but instead, some areas now have worse or no signal.
  • The issue affects major routes like Bröttubrekka and Haukadalsbrún, causing frustration among residents and travelers.

Residents of Dalabyggð in western Iceland are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the deteriorating mobile phone service in their region. The situation has become a significant concern, with locals reporting that the signal quality has worsened, particularly after the shutdown of the 3G network earlier this year.

We feel the disappointment of the people. It was hinted that the situation would improve, but it has not happened.

— Jóhanna María SigmundsdóttirDeputy municipal manager of Dalabyggð, describing residents' frustration with the worsening mobile phone service.

Jóhanna María Sigmundsdóttir, deputy municipal manager of Dalabyggð, stated that residents are disappointed. "We feel the disappointment of the people. It was hinted that the situation would improve, but it has not happened," she said. The community had anticipated that the decommissioning of the 3G network would lead to enhanced 4G and 5G coverage, a hope that has evidently not materialized.

Instead of an improvement, residents are reporting new dead zones and areas with significantly weaker signals. This degradation in service impacts not only daily life but also safety, especially on key travel routes. "Now residents are talking about the signal at their homes being worse, and that new spots are appearing where the signal is either worse or completely out," Sigmundsdóttir explained. Specific locations mentioned include the Bröttubrekka pass, a common route for travelers heading south, and Haukadalsbrún, among other areas.

Now residents are talking about the signal at their homes being worse, and that new spots are appearing where the signal is either worse or completely out.

— Jóhanna María SigmundsdóttirDeputy municipal manager of Dalabyggð, detailing the specific issues residents are experiencing with mobile coverage.

The ongoing issues with mobile connectivity are a source of considerable frustration for the inhabitants of Dalabyggð, who feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed. The lack of reliable mobile service affects communication, access to information, and potentially emergency response capabilities in the sparsely populated region.

This is, among other places, on the main road like on Bröttubrekka when people are heading south, Haukadalsbrún, and in other locations.

— Jóhanna María SigmundsdóttirDeputy municipal manager of Dalabyggð, specifying affected areas, including important travel routes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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