Problems with mobile-phone messaging systems have been reported by a number of consumers. However, a spokeswoman for Esat Digifone said it had received only two or three complaints about voice messaging from 1.1 million customers in the past week, and the problem had been identified and fixed.
There had been a small number of difficulties with the text messaging service in the past month, but that had been sorted out, she said. Esat announced on Thursday that it would be investing £100 million in its existing mobile network, increasing quality and coverage.
A spokeswoman for Eircell, which has more than 1.5 million mobile customers, said the company had not received any complaints about its messaging service recently, and the network was operating smoothly.
The Irish Times heard from customers whose voicemail messages had arrived between two hours and two days after the time they were sent.
Last week the Telecoms Regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, said there was scope for considerable improvement in handling consumer complaints by operators. She initiated a consultation on codes of conduct for handling these complaints.
The Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation receives about 60 complaints a month from the public and its representatives about the level of service provided by telecoms operations. Most of the complaints regarding mobile operators related to billing, coverage, mobile contracts and network faults such as drop-out and congestion.
Only about two of the 60 complaints related to network congestion. The majority are billing queries. Consumers refer complaints to the ODTR only as a last resort, if they cannot resolve their dispute with the service-provider.
The number of mobile-phone users has risen to 2.4 million, 67 per cent of the State's population, according to figures issued in March by the ODTR. The data also show that people are opting for mobile phones over fixed-line phones.
Although the number of mobile subscribers is expanding rapidly, the Republic still ranks behind countries such as Norway and Sweden which have more than 80 and 76 per cent penetration respectively.
The ODTR survey, which is carried out quarterly, found that prepaid mobile phones were the most popular option. Almost two-thirds of mobile-phone users buy cards and pay for their calls in advance.
The survey debunked the perception that prepaid customers had no loyalty to their provider. Only 11 per cent said they had switched supplier in the past 12 months. The entry into the market in February of Meteor, the third mobile-phone network, should have some impact on the next survey.
The ODTR is encouraging consumers to share their views on how complaints should be handled. The closing date for submissions is June 15th.
The consultation paper can be read at the website www.odtr.ie or a copy can be obtained by telephoning 01 804 9600. While any submission will be welcomed, a series of questions has been appended to the paper and the ODTR would be grateful if consumers would answer these.
abyrne@irish-times.ie