An 83-year-old woman who lives alone has hit out at telephone company O2 for what she describes as an “abominable” mobile phone service since New Year’s Eve.

It is understood the problem has been caused by a faulty phone mast in the area.

Viola Wiggins enjoys corresponding with her family and friends via text over the Christmas and New Year periods, which can be a lonely time for the pensioner who lives at Florencecourt.

She was upset and inconvenienced to find that a number of New Year text messages she had sent to her nieces and grand-nephew who live in England, had not been delivered by New Year’s Day.
“I still had £10 credit, so I knew it was my O2 signal. I keep getting a red X, even when I go and stand outside – it usually works fine when I’m near the window I missed speaking with them,” said Mrs. Wiggins, who added: “O2 has been abominable in Florencecourt the past three days.”
A number of Mrs. Wiggins’ family members in Florencecourt are also experiencing problems with O2.
An online O2 service status check showed the following response: “Sorry a phone mast close to you isn’t working. This means you might experience problems making calls, using the internet, or sending/receiving emails.”

The O2 website states that customers in the Florencecourt area should have a good 2G, 3G and 4G service indoors and outdoors but it does not have 4G calling available in this area.

A statement from O2 today (Thursday) said the issue has now been resolved.