FRUSTRATED mobile phone users have been left in the dark following a signal failure across the Stroud district.  

Hundreds of customers who use Orange or T Mobile networks have been experiencing poor signal for the past six weeks.

It has left users unable to receive text messages and calls.

It is believed the problem - which has been reported in areas including Uplands, Cashes Green, Nailsworth, Stonehouse and Woodchester - is an issue with a local phone mast.

Orange and T Mobile services are run by Everything Everywhere and customers who visited the company's store in King Street, Stroud, were told by staff that a phone mast in Chalford had been taken down and would only be replaced if enough complaints were received.

However, after complaining to their service providers, customers have been left with no answers as to the cause of the problem and no insight into when the problem will be resolved.

Stroud farmers’ market organiser Gerb Gerbrands, of Slad Road, Stroud, said: "I thought it was a problem with my handset so changed my phone but the problem carried on.

"I have been with T Mobile for more than 10 years. I have phoned customer services and technical support but have no answers.
"I use my mobile for work, it is important that stallholders can contact me."

Customers have taken to a Facebook page, which now has more than 950 members.

A mother said that her daughter was left stranded at Stroud railway station because she didn’t receive the calls and texts saying her train had arrived. 

One customer said Orange customer services told her it would cost £500 to buy out of her contract and the only advice was to divert calls to another mobile phone with a different network.

Another user said he is considering leaving Orange when his contract runs out despite being a loyal customer for more than 20 years.

A spokesman for Everything Everywhere said: "We are aware that a number of customers have reported problems with receiving calls and text messages in the Stroud area.

"We are working hard to identify the cause of the issue and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Updates will be posted on the SNJ website www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk